He said:
"Quite simply, Ruth Davidson was the stand-out performer in the debate tonight.
"She took on Nicola Sturgeon over a second referendum and spoke for thousands of people by demanding that the SNP lets Scotland move on.
"She also showed how a strong, competent opposition under her leadership will really help improve the country.
"Labour haven't laid a glove on the SNP for nine years - with the result that we ended up with a referendum which divided the country.
"The risk is that Labour are now so weak and divided that they'll let the SNP do it again.
"Ruth won't let the SNP re-run that referendum, and we can all benefit as a result.
"On health, business and jobs she showed she has the ideas and the commitment to help the country move on.
"On Thursday we now have a clear choice.
"Either Kezia Dugdale is back as leader of the opposition, failing to take on the SNP.
"Or we can have a new, strong opposition leader in Ruth Davidson who will ensure we get better government, not a second referendum."