SNP ready to fight second election to get Tories out

TO THE POLLS:First Minister says everyone should be ready for another election

Nicola Sturgeon declared she is ready to fight another general election as she spoke of the urgency of getting the Conservatives out of office.

The First Minister said her party remain on an election footing in the hope Theresa May’s government meets its downfall.

Asked if she was ready for a second trip to the polls, she told The Courier: “I think everyone has to be prepared for another election.

“I certainly would like to see the Tories out of office.

“I think the damage they have done and are doing is such that the sooner they are out of office, the better.

“But obviously my concern is to make sure that whatever happens on that front, here in Scotland we are providing stable, effective government that is getting on with the job, supporting businesses, reforming our public services and making sure they are delivered for the people who rely on them.”

Her indication of support for a general election rerun follows Kezia Dugdale’s call for a fresh vote.

The Scottish Labour leader said she would “relish” a new contest in October to kick the Tories out.

It seems unlikely that many of Ms Sturgeon’s MPs will share their leader’s apparent enthusiasm for another election, with several of them protecting slim majorities.

Among them are Stephen Gethins, who retained his North East Fife seat by just two votes, and Pete Wishart – the longest-serving SNP MP who beat his Conservative rival Ian Duncan, who is being made a peer so he can be a UK minister, by 21 votes.

Meanwhile, the Tories are facing a legal challenge from a former party candidate who claims she should be their new MEP.

Belinda Don, a former parliamentary assistant, was first in line to replace Mr Duncan, who is swapping Brussels for the Lords.

However, it is understood the Tories want the fifth candidate on the party list, Iain McGill, to become their MEP.

The party confirmed a writ has been served on them.

Mr Wishart accused the Tories of being determined to “stitch up jobs for the boys”.

Picture: Kris Miller. Nicola Sturgeon with Raheel Khan during a visit to Dundee Mosque yesterday.