Sturgeon ‘using Partygate as smokescreen for her failings’
NICOLA Sturgeon has been accused of using Partygate as a smokescreen to cover her own ‘abysmal’ record of public service failures ahead of next month’s local election.
Throwing down the gauntlet to the SNP leader, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross called on her to stop evading accountability rather than trying to make voting on May 5 about political rifts at Westminster or a referendum on Boris Johnson’s premiership.
Mr Ross warned the Scottish electorate not to fall into the trap being laid by the SNP and to remember the fiascos on their watch – such as the bungled Ferguson Marine ferries contract, falling education standards and NHS targets missed year after year.
Speaking to The Scottish Mail on Sunday at the launch of the Conservabudgets, tive Party manifesto on Thursday, he said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon will use everything to distract from her own record. It’s a record where education was meant to be her number one priority but actually standards and attainment have dropped under her leadership.
‘It is a record where communities and councils have been asked to deliver far more but have received far less funding.’
Adding that voters should look at the key issues councils deal with, such as policing and housing, Mr Ross said it was important to remember that since the SNP took charge in 2007, local authorities had smaller educational standards had floundered and small businesses had been crushed by increasing taxation.
Mr Ross, MP for Moray and MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, also took aim at the hated workplace parking levy, championed by the SNP and Green Party.
‘Her record with business has been abysmal,’ he said. ‘When we should be supporting businesses as they try to get back on their feet, Nicola Sturgeon is introducing policies that are going to be harmful for them.
‘It is no wonder Nicola Sturgeon is looking for a smokescreen because her own record in government is one she can surely not defend.’
On Friday, while unveiling a new local election campaign bus, the First Minister said: ‘Scotland will have the opportunity to cast their verdict on the law-breaking Prime Minister and Chancellor, and the shameful attempts by leading Tories to defend them.’
Mr Ross said votes next month should be seen as a chance to send Ms Sturgeon a message on her own record in government.
He added: ‘We know she wants a referendum perhaps as soon as next year and we know she wants to divide the country all over again.’
A spokesman for the SNP said last night: ‘Since 2007, every single household in Scotland has benefited from the lowest crime rates in four decades, the best-performing A&E units in the UK, lower taxes, and progressive SNP policies such as free tuition, free prescriptions, the baby box and the doubling of the Scottish Child Payment.’
‘Her record with business has been abysmal’