Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, has declared herself a “John Major”-style Conservative, after leading the party to its best election result in Scotland for almost 60 years.

Ms Davidson described how she wanted the Tories to stand up for ordinary people who work hard to improve their lives in order to show that the party can aim to win power in Scotland in the future.

In an exclusive interview with the Telegraph, the down-to-earth former BBC journalist said she had “opened up” the party and that it now no longer mattered which school or background members and supporters came from.

“I’m a John Major Conservative,” she said. “That is always what Conservatism was about for me – it’s about clearing obstacles away from people, empowering people and using education as a means of bettering themselves.”

Last week, Ms Davidson led the Tories to their most impressive poll result for decades north of the border, beating Labour for the first time since 1959 to become the main party of opposition in the SNP-dominated Scottish Parliament.

Her triumphant result – which she conceded was far better than she had dared to hope before polling day – was the high point for the Tories from last week’s, council, mayoral, and devolved government elections.