Sturgeon challenges Tory party

NICOLA STURGEON has called on the Scottish Conservatives to clarify what they stand for as she accused them of being a “onetrick” party fixated on independence.

The First Minister has challenged Tory leader Ruth Davidson to set out how Conservative MPs would approach a range of “real issues” affecting people in Scotland, such as pensions, austerity and support for low-income families.

The SNP leader also accused Ms Davidson of being “embarrassed” when defending her party’s actions in government at Westminster.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Now more than ever, it is vital that Scotland has strong voices standing up for Scotland in Westminster – but no matter what the occasion, the only thing the one-trick Tory party can talk about is independence.

“Ruth Davidson is clearly embarrassed whenever she has to defend the Tories’ record in Government at Westminster – whether it is cutting Scotland’s budget or shameful policies like the rape clause – but it is issues like these which are being raised on the doorsteps and will be decided in the next Parliament.”

Speaking with four weeks to go until voters go to the polls in the General Election, Ms Sturgeon went on: “People in Scotland have a choice – they can elect Tory MPs to rubber-stamp every cut at Westminster, or they can elect a strong team of SNP MPs to stand up for Scotland.”