7 Mar 2019

The SNP is in complete disarray on IndyRef 2 after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today appeared to contradict her deputy Keith Brown.

At First Minister’s questions today, Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative interim leader asked the First Minister about the SNP deputy leader, Keith Brown’s comments to fellow nationalists that an unofficial referendum should take place, even if the UK Government didn’t allow it.

Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative interim leader said:

“The SNP has been found out. Behind closed doors, Nicola Sturgeon and Keith Brown are telling party activists one thing, while telling the public quite another.

“In public, they tell us they’re focussed on the day job. In private, they’re secretly plotting for an illegal referendum.

“Nicola Sturgeon’s slap-down of her deputy today is a humiliation for Mr Brown and shows the SNP is in complete disarray.

“But it doesn’t hide the fact that their obsession with a second referendum will always come first – and everything else a distant second.”

6 Mar 2019

Gordon MP Colin Clark has used Prime Minister’s Questions to launch an attack on the SNP’s “reckless” approach to currency in an independent Scotland.

The Scottish Conservative MP said that Nationalists had “resurrected” Alex Salmond’s call for a Scottish pound – after arguing in 2014 that a separate Scotland would keep sterling.

Senior figures in the SNP, including Finance Secretary Derek Mackay, have suggested that Scotland could float its own currency within years of becoming independent, while continuing to use the pound informally in the meantime.

Mr Clark, who ousted former First Minister Mr Salmond at the 2017 election, said:

“The SNP Scottish Government has resurrected Alex Salmond’s call for a Scottish currency.

“Does the Prime Minister agree this is reckless and risks destabilising the Scottish economy?”

In response, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Can I say to my right honourable friend, I seem to recall back in the 2014 referendum that the SNP were absolutely adamant that Scotland would keep the pound.

“There have been a few changes since then, they have gone through looking at the option of the Euro, then they went back to sterling and now they are into an independent currency.

“This government is working to secure a Brexit deal that protects jobs and our economy.

“The SNP should focus on that rather than continuing to pursue their independence fantasy.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Clark added:

“It is clear that you can’t trust the SNP when it comes to the pound in your pocket.

“Along with Derek Mackay’s pledge to eliminate a £13billion deficit in just a few short years without austerity – the idea of a separate Scottish currency is fantasy economics.”

24 Feb 2019

Scottish Conservatives are today calling for a renewed focus from all levels of government on the damaging impact of cannabis on the young.

It comes as health campaigners warn today that high-strength cannabis can lead to psychosis among teenagers.

Last week, the High Court in Glasgow heard how the killer of Alesha MacPhail, Aaron Campbell, regularly smoked the drug.

In today’s press, Sir Robin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at King’s College London, warned that there was now growing evidence that the use of cannabis in adolescence increased the risk of psychosis.

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs MSP said:

“We know that the number of people reporting an addiction to cannabis has risen from 14% to 20% in the space of a decade.

“And we are now learning more and more of the damage that extra-strength street cannabis can cause, especially to adolescents.

“Given all that, it’s clear we need a fresh focus from government at all levels to stop this menace in its tracks.

“The Scottish Conservatives last year set out plans to crack down on Scotland’s drug crisis. There’s a chance for all parties to work together here to tackle this problem at source.

“A clear message needs to go out, especially to young people, that cannabis is a dangerous drug that risks permanently damaging their mental health. We must also do more to ensure that people on cannabis get the support they need to come off it.

“The terrible details emerging from Alesha MacPhail’s death have put the spotlight on this drug. Before the spotlight moves away, we should be working together to crack down on it.

“Scottish Conservatives are determined to see real action from SNP ministers to help young people address addictions and support their families, who often are left to pick up the pieces.

“Timid refreshing of failed SNP policies is simply not good enough. It’s time for a radical new approach to help address drug addictions in Scotland.”

21 Feb 2019

The Scottish Conservatives have voted against the SNP’s budget, as it will widen the tax gap with the rest of the United Kingdom, impose a Car Park Tax, increase council taxes and reduce local government budgets.

The budget passed with the support of the Greens and the SNP.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary said:

“Both the Finance Secretary and the First Minister told opposition parties throughout the budget process that every penny in their budget had been accounted for.

“And yet we now know that SNP knew about additional UK money six days prior to the debate in this Parliament: money amounting to an additional £148m.

“This is a budget that unnecessarily slashes local government, increases council taxes, widens the tax gap with the rest of the UK and penalises workers via the Car Park Tax.

“This is a budget that fails to revitalise Scotland’s economy which would sustainably increase tax revenues and support public services.

“The Scottish Conservatives reject this omnishambles budget which forces hardworking families to pay more and get less.”

21 Feb 2019

The First Minister has refused to back the Car Park Tax in her own Govan constituency despite her support for it at Holyrood.

When asked by Jackson Carlaw, interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, during First Ministers questions at Holyrood today, the First Minister declined to support the imposition of the Car Park Tax in her constituency.

Yesterday, every single Scottish Conservative council group leader said they will not support a Car Park Tax in their area.

And every single Scottish Conservative MSP will oppose the Car Park Tax in their constituency or region.

In contrast, the SNP will impose the Car Park Tax across Scotland and yet the First Minister doesn’t even support it in her own constituency.

Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Conservative interim leader said;

“Nicola Sturgeon is twisting all over the place on the SNP’s Car Park Tax. On the one hand, she is pushing it into law, on the other she won’t support it being introduced in her own constituency.

“What kind of government introduces a tax that it doesn’t have the courage to back?

“The case for this tax in Scotland is falling apart. If Glasgow and Edinburgh introduce the Car Park tax, as proposed, thousands of commuters who live outside the city boundaries will be hammered, having had no say over that decision.

“That’s not a good example of local decision making – it’s fundamentally anti-democratic.

“People doing the right thing, going to work, juggling drop offs for their children, or doing shift work at anti-social hours, when there are very few public transport options available, don’t deserve to be punished.

“And businesses, care homes and retailers don’t need yet another burden imposed upon them. The SNP must dump their Car Park Tax now.”