I’M READY FOR THE FIGHT
Carlaw’s pledge after huge win in battle to lead Scottish Tories
NEW Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw has vowed to take on Nicola Sturgeon’s ‘morally and politically bankrupt’ SNP as he launched his bid to become the next first minister.
Mr Carlaw compared Miss Sturgeon’s scandal-hit Government to the final days of John Major’s administration as he accused her of being ‘incredibly weak’.
The Eastwood MSP was yesterday confirmed as the Scottish Tory leader following Ruth Davidson’s resignation last year.
Mr Carlaw won with more than 75 per cent of the vote, holding off rival Michelle Ballantyne.
Within minutes of being announced as the new leader Mr Carlaw committed himself to an overhaul of the Conservatives north of the Border – including staff and policy.
He said that he would be setting out his proposals to kick Miss Sturgeon out of Bute House, the First Minister’s official residence, stating: ‘This is a failing government on its last legs.’
Mr Carlaw had been interim Scottish party leader since Miss Davidson quit last year. He formally took on the job full-time yesterday after securing 4,917 votes from the party membership. Mrs Ballantyne won just 1,581 votes.
Mr Carlaw had twice stepped up from his deputy leader role, once while Miss Davidson was on maternity leave and again following her resignation last year.
After his resounding win, Mr Carlaw attacked the SNP and warned the First Minister he was preparing to oust her government at the 2021 Holyrood elections.
Citing the SNP’s failings in education and health, he also accused Miss Sturgeon of being ‘incredibly weak’ over revelations about ex-finance secretary Derek Mackay.
He said: ‘This is a failing government on its last legs. It’s morally and politically bankrupt. It’s got nothing new to say, nothing new to offer. Every public service is entering this new decade in a worse position than it was only a year ago.
‘I actually remember the Major government in 1992, winning an election in the spring, and then being behind in the polls and out of office after that. I think that the SNP are in much the same position as we go into next year’s election.’
He added: ‘They [the SNP] are there to be replaced and I’m determined the Scottish Conservatives will do that.’
Mr Carlaw told the BBC yesterday: ‘I understand the SNP, it’s not really a political party, it’s an evangelical, faith-based cult.’
He went on to accuse Miss Sturgeon of an ‘abdication of leadership’ and raised concerns over a ‘cover up’ after the scandal surrounding Mr Mackay.
The Renfrewshire North and West
MSP had to resign from government and was suspended by the SNP after it emerged he had sent hundreds of messages to a 16-year-old boy. As well as calling the youngster ‘cute’ he also invited him to a parliamentary reception and offered to pay for his travel.
Mr Carlaw said yesterday: ‘The whole approach of the Scottish Government appears to me to be one of trying to cover this up, push it under the carpet, not deal with it.’
Although Mr Carlaw admitted his party is not yet election ready, he intends to be ready to challenge the SNP to become the biggest party in next year’s Holyrood election. He said: ‘I don’t think the SNP has woken up to the fact there is a change in the mood of the people of Scotland.’
He said he will be ‘offering the people of Scotland a clear alternative to the SNP and then fighting all the way to
‘A failing government on its last legs’
polling day next year to provide them with an alternative government’.
Speaking at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh, he insisted the Tories will be asking ‘the people of Scotland to elect a Scottish Conservative government as the largest party at Holyrood in 2021’. He said: ‘I would hope to be the first minister delivering on that alternative programme.’
Mr Carlaw said he wants the Tories to come up with a ‘fresh narrative for the Union’, insisting this must be positive and forward-looking and not ‘lazy and historical’. But he pledged: ‘I will ensure we continue to stand four square behind Scotland’s place within our United Kingdom, and against an independence referendum that would divide our country all over again.’
He has also vowed to review Scottish Tory policy on issues such as opposition to free tuition fees in Scotland, and support of the twochild benefits cap.
Last night, he began a party overhaul, announcing Glasgow MSP Annie Wells as the new joint deputy leader alongside North East Scotland MSP Liam Kerr.
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton was made party chairman to work alongside current chairman Rab Forman.
Next week, Mr Carlaw will make a number of new appointments to his shadow cabinet amid claims Mrs Ballantyne may be ousted as social security spokesman. This follows a bitter leadership campaign in which she accused him of running a poor General Election race in December.
Senior Tories last night congratulated Mr Carlaw on his win. Miss Davidson said: ‘I know he will have the whole party behind him as he leads us into next year’s Holyrood elections. Jackson is his own man and has firm ideas on how the party needs to change to build on recent successes. This is as it should be.’
An SNP spokesman said: ‘We acted quickly and decisively. Derek Mackay is no longer a member of the Scottish Government and is suspended from the SNP, pending further investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment while the disciplinary process is under way. The SNP has established procedures for individuals to raise concerns about members.’
‘Fresh narrative for the Union’
JACKSON Carlaw isn’t merely the new leader of the Scottish Conservative Party. After his resounding victory in the contest to replace Ruth Davidson, he is now the key figure in the battle against Scottish nationalism.
After yesterday’s victory over Michelle Ballantyne, he takes up his new position during something of a golden period for the tories at Holyrood.
Under Miss Davidson’s assured leadership, the Scottish Conservatives achieved successes that had previously been considered unthinkable. the new tory leader’s challenge – and it is not an insignificant one – is to build on the support generated by his predecessor.
So how does he go about ensuring the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party are a potent force at next year’s Holyrood election? One thing is clear – he will not do so by trying to pander to nationalists and aping SNP policy.
Mr Carlaw has hinted that the party could change its position on issues such as the two-child benefit cap and free tuition.
the new leader and his advisers should think carefully before embarking on such a course. Any attempt to become ‘SNP-lite’ will surely backfire. After all, why would floating voters back a tribute act rather than the real deal?
No, traditional tory voters would surely like to hear a more confidently Conservative agenda from Mr Carlaw rather than some feeble attempts to swing voters in his party’s favour.
While Mr Carlaw must never lose sight of the fact that the Scottish tories are solidly established as the main opponent to a second independence referendum, relying on a strong position on the constitutional question alone will not suffice if they are to flourish.
For all the Scottish Nationalists’ talk of radicalism, the political battle with the SNP will only be won on the centre ground. And so the Scottish tories should be working on a raft of policies that encourage and reward hard work.
More than one million Scots pay more than they would if they lived in England thanks to the SNP’s iniquitous tax policies.
the Scottish tories must ensure that voters have more chance to enjoy their wages by letting them keep the pound in their pocket. Grow the tax base, create jobs and make the economy thrive.
And as he builds a fresh new tory manifesto, Mr Carlaw must also hold the SNP’s feet to the fire over its litany of failings in government. Our cherished NHS is on its knees. the health service is now failing many who depend on it.
And what about our education system, once hailed as the best in the world? Now, shockingly poor achievement rates in literacy and numeracy point to an education system unfit for purpose.
All of Scotland’s opposition parties have failed – to varying degrees – to capitalise on the Nationalists’ weaknesses in power.
While he does not share all of his predecessor’s talents, there is something rather refreshing about Mr Carlaw. Enthusiastic and unvarnished, the new Scottish tory leader may surprise sceptics who have him down as a stuffed shirt.
Jackson Carlaw now leads the Scottish charge against the nationalists’ separatist plans. Let’s hope he is up to the challenge.