PM candidates must get on the front foot now

The Scottish leg of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak’s extended job interview takes place today. The prime ministerial candidates will take part in a set-piece hustings in Perth Concert Hall.

What their latest showdown won’t be short of is words.

But there is a great difference between hot air and point-scoring and strategic thinking and radical, lifesaving action.

Whoever becomes the next resident of 10 Downing Street will not have the luxury of time to settle into the role and find their feet.

They will have to hit the ground running with a credible and costed plan to help thousands of ordinary families through this winter.

People who, as massively-inflated energy bills drop on their doormats, are being forced to consider every single move they make.

Do they need to put that light on? Do they need to heat that room? Can they cut back on their groceries spend?

These may not be decisions that either Liz or Rishi ever have to make in their lives.

But they absolutely need to understand that for tens of thousands of people up and down the country it is the reality of life in this grim economic cycle.

Perth tonight will be the candidates’ opportunity to convince Scottish voters that they have a plan to ease the pressure of the cost-ofliving of crisis on them.

Platitudes simply will not cut it while people are freezing in their own homes and worrying about putting a square meal on the table.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has predicted some Scots will die this winter from the impact of increased poverty.

Sadly, it is that stark.

Our prime ministerial candidates want to lead this country.

If calamity is to be avoided, then they must get on the front foot and show they have the capacity to lead this country through a crisis that will get worse before it gets better.

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Platitudes simply will not cut it while people are freezing