The Scottish Conservatives will always stand up for the “quiet majority” in the country, leader Ruth Davidson said today.
She spoke out following a weekend in which both the SNP and Labour demonstrated their intentions to put party interests ahead of Scotland’s. The SNP confirmed its plans to begin preparing for a second referendum – despite saying just last year that it would be a “once in a generation” event. That flies in the face of public opinion, with one weekend poll showing a clear majority of Scots do not want a repeat of last September’s vote any time soon.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has used his first interview in power to insist he will pursue his hard-left agenda – including ending Britain’s nuclear deterrent, a move which would put up to 10,000 Scottish jobs, and a £500 million investment at Faslane, at risk. That policy also goes against public opinion, with a survey last week showing a majority wanted to keep Trident here.
This morning, a poll for a national newspaper showed people believe the Scottish Conservatives are a stronger opposition than Labour, with the same voter-intention poll putting the party within touching distance of Labour, just four points behind.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“Labour is now a divided force across the UK, and a declining force across Scotland.
“Voters gave their verdict in May, but instead of listening to their concerns, Labour’s response has been to retreat to its own comfort zone with policies which don’t represent the values of Scotland’s majority.
“Meanwhile, the SNP has gone back on its promise to respect last year’s referendum, and is instead now preparing for a re-run.
“Scots don’t want to go back to another divisive referendum, they want to crack on with their life.
“Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives will always make the positive, principled case for our United Kingdom and will fight in the centre-ground for better public services across Scotland.
“Scotland’s two million No voters need a strong voice at Holyrood and I’m determined to be that voice.
“While Labour and the SNP veer off to the extremes, we will stay rock solid in the centre of Scottish politics – building on the clear decision we made in last year’s referendum to stay part of the UK, keeping our defences strong so we can be a force for good in the world, and standing up for family finances against demands for tax hikes.”