Graczyk blasts Conservative policies on disability issues and social justice

BY ANDY PHILIP a.philip@dailyrecord.co.uk candidates. Graczyk said: “After a great deal of thought and angst, I have decided to resign from the Scottish Conservative Party.

“I am no longer comfortable representing the party due to current policies of the UK Conservative Government on disability issues and social justice being incompatible with my own beliefs and conscience.”

SNP council leader Adam McVey said Graczyk was right to raise concerns.

He said: “The Tory record of welfare cuts is causing staggering hardship for communities across Edinburgh. They need to wake up to the damage their policies are causing.

“When people come face to face with the human impact of cruel and uncaring Tory policies then that can bring about a serious change in their views.”

About 1240 disabled people in Edinburgh have lost financial support because of Tory cuts, he said.

In a brief statement, a Tory party spokesman said: “We wish Ashley well for the future.”

Graczyk’s departure comes at a tough time for Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson.

She is under the spotlight as the UK party push ahead with Brexit plans without the Scottish Parliament’s approval.

Questions have also been raised over the way the Conservatives are financed, with SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford challenging the PM over donations to the party from the Scottish Unionist Association Trust.

Davidson has also faced calls to sack a North Ayrshire councillor for a series of social media posts branded “xenophobic”.

Todd Ferguson targeted SNP councillor Joy Brahim, who is from the Netherlands, for having an opinion on Scottish politics.