Swinney: Davidson is just like Hopkins
RUTH Davidson is an “ill-informed Twitter personality” like media mouthpiece Katie Hopkins, the Deputy First Minister claimed in an outspoken attack yesterday.
John Swinney made the insulting comparison during his opening address to the SNP conference in Glasgow.
Swinney’s Perthshire constituency is a top target for the Tories, who almost snatched the overlapping Westminster seat from SNP MP Pete Wishart in the snap general election.
In a short speech, Education Secretary Swinney defended his record and pledged improve children’s opportunities.
He said: “We will do it by seeking to instil tolerance, understanding, creativity and the pursuit of excellence.
“We will not be listening to right- wing, educationally ill-informed Twitter personalities who haven’t done their homework.
“And no, I don’t mean Katie Hopkins, I mean Ruth Davidson.”
It emerged recently that pro-Trump cheerleader Hopkins was planning to do a speaking tour of schools.
He also blasted Davidson for failing to deal with bigoted party members.
Davidson defended a decision last month to reinstate Alastair Majury and Robert Davies at Stirling Council. Majury had posted anti-Catholic comments on Twitter, while Davies made racist jokes.
Swinney said he agreed with Prime Minister Theresa May who last week said there’s no place for “racism, intolerance and hatred” in politics.
But he added: “The thing is, though, as we sit here today, racist Young Scots for Independence convener Rhiannon Spear persuaded delegates to pass the group’s resolution on raising the age of military recruitment to 18. Sports Minister Aileen Campbell made the most embarrassing blunder after taking to Twitter to declare her love for “Neil Griffiths” after the first goal in last night’s game. Er, that should be Leigh Griffiths, minister. “It was surreal hearing @JohnSwinney interviewed by @AlexSalmond on @LBC – grilling him over conference clash with tonight’s Scotland match #SNP17”
– The SNP’s top spin doctor, Fergus Mutch, finally finds an interviewer he approves of. “Having been in this job for 15 months, I’m not prepared to rule out any eventuality – not even alien invasion. In fact, that may have happened if you look at the Tory Party.”
– Brexit Minister Mike Russell pondering if the UK actually will leave the European Union. Which MSP overindulged themselves on Saturday night and nearly slept through their early Sunday fringe appearance? and xenophobic councillors are still members of the Scottish Tory Party. So she doesn’t need to tell us. She needs to tell Ruth Davidson.”
One of the biggest cheers was for a subject not being formally debated – the route to independence.
Swinney said: “We meet today to rededicate ourselves to the cause of Scotland.
“We rededicate ourselves to independence – the best possible future for Scotland. We rededicate ourselves to a future filled with possibilities for our young people and for our nation.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “John Swinney is one of the more credible Nat MSPs.
“But this shows what can happen even to people like him when the only thing they’ve ever cared about politically is slipping away.”