The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Sturgeon responds to ‘give it a rest’ jibe
Nicola Sturgeon hit back at Tory claims to “give it a rest” over Scottish independence.
The first minister came under fire from the Conservatives who claimed she was ditching improving Scotland’s education as her top priority.
When pressed on the most important issue facing Scotland the SNP leader stressed “growing the economy”.
Both the Tories and Labour accused her of spending more time making the case for Scottish independence and called on her instead to focus on improving schools and the NHS.
Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: “She has repeatedly claimed education is her number one priority, and so it should be, but the facts show different.
“With her, it is independence first and everything else a long way behind, and the country is asking ‘Why won’t she give it a rest?”’
Ms Davidson challenged her on the issue the day before the SNP was to publish a report on the economic prospects for an independent Scotland, produced by the Sustainable Growth Commission that was established by the party in 2016.
Ms Sturgeon insisted the Scottish Government had set out “an ambitious package of reform on education”, going on to say the number of people with Highers in science subjects rose by 9.6% between 2007 and 2017.
She also hailed the government’s School Attainment Fund and the Pupil Equity Fund, saying these were “transforming education”.
The first minister added: “If Ruth Davidson got out a bit more and spoke to more teachers, she would find that is exactly what they are saying as well.”
She recalled that Ms Davidson had called on her to “give it a rest” earlier this week – but pointed out she had made those comments in a speech in London that was focused on the constitution