Scottish Conservatives launch policy assault they hope will topple SNP
Douglas Ross has launched a charm offensive on unionist and disillusioned SNP voters at the start of the Scottish Conservative conference.
Mr Ross, speaking on Friday, said his party will commit to the removal of the ‘ not proven’ verdict in the criminal courts and is expected to announce further policies later today.
Among them is the power for local communities to block unwanted planning proposals and a watering down of the ability of the Scottish Government to overturn decisions following an appeal.
He will also announce the details of so- called ‘ Community Investment Deals’ which could lead to business ratesfree zones in town and cit y centres.
The conference, held virtually over the weekend for the first time due to Covid- 19 restrictions, will also see keynote speeches from the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the chancellor Rishi Sunak.
The Secretar y of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, will also call on the Scottish Government to work more closely with the UK Government in helping the country recover economically from Covid- 19.
Those speeches follow Mr Ross, speaking at an event on Friday afternoon, continuing in his attempts to distance the Scottish arm of the party and himself from the Prime Minister.
Asked about his Prime Minister’s plunging popularity in Scotland, Mr Ross said both leaders had seen their approva l r a t i n g s d r o p i n r e c e n t months and said it was a reflection of the “tough” restrictions facing Scots.
Ahead of the conference, in an email to Scottish Conservative members, Mr Johnson said: "I’ll be thanking all the people of Scotland for their effort to tackle the virus, conveying my commitment t o devolution despite the SNP’S abysmal handling of devolved powers and most importantly urging us all to come together to defeat the virus and build back better.
"In Douglas Ross we have a leader of our party in Scotland who is the very personification of unionism, someone who believes deeply in the United Kingdom and in fighting for Scotland’s best interests within that union.”
In his keynote speech later today, Mr Ross will announce plans to give more power to local communities amid criticism that the SNP takes a too centralised view to Scotland which he will say has “undermined local decision making”.
He will say: “While they constantly complain to the UK about powers and cash, they have shamelessly grabbed both from local areas for 13 years.
“We need to target our investment towards creating good jobs in every part of our country.
“Which i s why we would deliver a programme of Communit y I nve s t ment Deal s t o build new par t nerships between communities and the UK and Scottish governments, partnerships where local people call more of the shots.”
“We would also give communities the power to prevent Scottish Ministers forcing a development on them that they don’t want. ”
Scotland Secretary Alister Jack will also call on the SNP to honour its “once in a generation” independence referendum promise.