Kennedy accuses Conservatives of ‘stoking English nationalism’

FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has become the latest politician to accuse the Tories of attempting to stoke up English nationalism.

The Ross, Skye and Lochaber candidate, campaigning alongside Jo Swinson in the East Dunbartonshire constituency she won in 2005 and retained in 2010, claimed the LibDems would not put the unity of the UK at risk.

The party, polling at just four per cent across Scotland, is focussing relentlessly on hanging on to the 11 constituencies it won in 2010. Senior LibDem figures have called for Labour and Conservative voters to support their candidates in a bid to keep the SNP out.

Mr Kennedy said: “Just months after a referendum decision to keep the UK together it is alarming that two parties seem to be doing their best to reopen the issue.

“The SNP have gone back on their commitment that there would not be another referendum for a lifetime. And the Conservatives are sowing division by stoking up English nationalism.”

Meanwhile, the SNP called for the UK Government to introduce a new target to build 100,000 affordable homes a year. Nicola Sturgeon said boosting investment in affordable housing could create up to 6,500 jobs in Scotland.

The First Minister said SNP MPs would also call for Scotland to be prioritised as part of the HS2 high-speed rail project and press for more superfast broadband and 4G services north of the Border.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson spent yesterday at a nursery in Crieff, alongside her education spokeswoman, Liz Smith, highlighting childcare.

Ms Smith said: “Today’s families come in all different shapes and sizes – and as such, their circumstances are just as varied and complicated. We want families to have the freedom to choose from the fullest range of childcare providers. This is the best way to reconcile complicated circumstances and help strike a proper balance between work and family.”

The Scottish Greens highlighted research showing people in Scotland are the most conscious of the £7.85 per hour Living Wage. The party wants to raise the adult minimum wage of £6.50 an hour to £7.85, and for that to rise to £10 an hour by 2020.