Backlash at ‘arrogant’ plans for another decade in power

NICOLA Sturgeon has been branded ‘arrogant’ by claiming she could be in power for another decade or more.

The SNP leader will use her keynote conference speech today to reject criticism of her party’s record over the past ten years and claim it could still have at least the same period again in government.

She will also unveil plans to spend an extra £420million a year on childcare by 2020 as part of ‘transformational’ changes.

In her speech, Miss Sturgeon will say: ‘Over the past ten years, we have led the way. We should be proud of what we achieved. Our focus now is on the next ten years and beyond.’

The SNP’s vote has slumped since peaking in the 201 general election, shortly after Miss Sturgeon became First Minister.

In June’s general election, the SNP lost 00,000 votes and 21 of its MPs amid a backlash against the push for an independence referendum.

Following that result, Miss Sturgeon admitted a ‘refresh’ of her government was required. Today, she will insist her party’s programme offers ‘practical solutions to the daily concerns people have’.

But Scottish Tory deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: ‘What Nicola Sturgeon seems to forget is she’s already had more than ten years in power.’ He added: ‘Her presumption she’ll be in power for ten years is arrogant and the voters will see it that way too.’

Scottish Lib Dem general election chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘With arrogant comments like this, it’s no surprise that people are getting tired of the SNP and their broken promises.’