Conservatives set sights on Angus after surprise

Tory leader believes rural voters want to send a clear message to Nicola Sturgeon

The Scottish Conservatives have identified the traditional SNP seat of Angus as a key battleground in next week’s UK Government elections.

A surprise local government result earlier this month saw four Tory councillors grab seats from the SNP for a total of eight – and the most first preference votes in seven of eight wards.

Parliamentary candidate Kirstene Hair hopes to build on that momentum and topple MP Mike Weir, who has held the seat for after 16 years.

Ms Hair previously stood for election as MSP for Angus South in 2015, losing out to SNP incumbent Graeme Dey.

That battle saw Mr Dey’s majority cut from 38.3% to 13.4% – 15,622 votes to 11,318 for the Tory.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson joined Ms Hair on a visit to the Hatton of Ogilvy farm in Glamis, the base of award-winning Ogilvy Spirits.

Ms Davidson paid tribute to a “hardworking” campaigner who has spent each day knocking on doors since she was selected as a candidate.

Both politicians said they believe Angus voters are against a second independence referendum, and want to send a “clear and consistent message” to SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

“The question over independence is a big one when you speak to people at the door and on the street,” Ms Hair said.

“There are Labour and Lib Dem voters who have never voted Conservative before but are considering it this time.

“They like the fact I’m a local candidate, born and brought up near Brechin, who knows the issues we face here.

“People are seeing through the SNP and see that Scotland is ready for change.”

Ms Hair pointed to a Scottish Conservative manifesto point that would benefit the Angus economy.

“What we need to do is encourage jobs back into our area so industry can prosper, and there’s a commitment in the manifesto for a grant to turn North Sea oil’s decline on its head, and make world-class decommissioning sites,” she said.

The Scottish Conservative leader said she believes a “strong opposition” in Holyrood lifted up the Tory council vote, and stands to do the same on June 8.

“People in Angus are already beginning to see the benefits of a strong competitive opposition in Holyrood,” she said.

“Businesses here were getting hammered on their rates and if it wasn’t for our turning the screw on the SNP, that would have continued without debate.

“We see farmers here who’ve had difficulty getting their CAP payments.

“The SNP built a computer system that didn’t work and they’re still not getting their money. Across Scotland, we are their only challenge and they are clearly rattled.

“Nicola Sturgeon would rather spend time in the central belt than come here, and see that rural Scotland needs help.

“I would say to her, will you get on and fix Scotland’s schools, will you get on a support our business, will you get on and help our farmers instead of concentrating on a rerun of a referendum she didn’t like the result of.”

Ms Hair and Mr Weir are up against local opposition from William Campbell of Labour and Lib Dem Clive Sneddon.

Pictures: Fraser Bremner. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson visits Ogilvy Spirits, near Forfar, the producers of Scotland’s first potato vodka.

Conservative candidate Kirstene Hair with Ruth Davidson.