Tories poised to unveil tax-cutting agenda
RUTH Davidson will today promise to defend Scots workers’ pay packets as polls show she is closing in on Labour.
The Scottish Tory leader’s Commission for Competitive and Fair Taxation, led by former CBI Scotland director Sir Iain McMillan, will report today, setting out a radically different vision from Labour and the SNP.
It is expected to say: ‘Scotland’s overall tax burden should not be higher than in any other part of the UK – and lower whenever affordable.’
Yesterday, a Panelbase poll showed the SNP way ahead in both the constituency and regional vote, but with the Tories catching up with Labour.
Labour has promised higher taxes for top earners, while the SNP has hinted at similar changes. But Miss Davidson has said: ‘I pledge that, under my leadership, a future Conservative Scottish Government will never have higher rates or bands of income tax than elsewhere in the UK.
‘I challenge my political opponents to commit to a tax regime that does not take more money from Scottish income tax payers than they would have paid under the Westminster system.’
The Panelbase poll for the Sunday Times and Heart FM showed support for the Tories in Scotland at 17 per cent in both the constituency and regional votes.
That is an increase of three percentage points in the constituency vote and two percentage points in the regional vote compared with Panelbase’s last survey in September.
But Labour has lost ground, dropping two points to 21 per cent in the constituency vote and three points to 19 per cent in the regional vote.
The poll of 1,054 voters, conducted between January 8 and 14, found support for the SNP at 50 per cent for the constituency vote and 48 per cent for the regional vote.
John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University, said: ‘Labour, it seems, is at risk of its worst ever election performance north of the Border. It is little wonder some Scottish Conservatives are dreaming of pulling ahead.’
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: ‘We will spend the next 100 days leading an ambitious national debate about how to keep Scotland moving forward through progressive policies.
‘Our mission could not be clearer – to earn the right to serve an unprecedented third term as Scotland’s government.’