Menu
Subscribe to Holyrood updates

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe

Follow us

Scotland’s fortnightly political & current affairs magazine

Subscribe

Subscribe to Holyrood
by Kirsteen Paterson
24 June 2024
Rishi Sunak in Edinburgh for Scottish Conservatives launch amidst betting row

Douglas Ross and Rishi Sunak | Alamy

Rishi Sunak in Edinburgh for Scottish Conservatives launch amidst betting row

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to speak in Edinburgh today as his party promises a "laser-like focus on the real priorities of the Scottish public".

Launching the Scottish Conservative manifesto, Douglas Ross will say the political plan "provides solutions to the problems caused by years of SNP incompetence and poor decision-making".

While the pledges relate to the general election, most of these cover issues completely or partially devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

This includes the recruitment of more GPs and police officers, improvements to roads, education reforms and reductions to income tax and national insurance.

Ahead of the launch, Ross commented: "We are committed to tackling the waiting-times crisis in Scotland's NHS by recruiting 1,000 extra GPs, the crisis in Scottish policing by recruiting 1000 extra officers, restoring our schools by backing teachers, upgrading our neglected trunk roads and cutting taxes for hard-working Scots.

"These are the issues that matter to Scots but which have been ignored by the SNP as they've focused relentlessly on independence.

"Every Scottish Conservative MP elected will be committed to delivering on these policies and the priorities of their constituents."

The launch is taking place amidst reports that more people could be involved in the general election betting row which has seen two Tory election candidates and two other officials come under investigation.

On Sunday the BBC reported that the Gambling Commission is looking into more people linked to the Conservative Party or UK Government.

Labour has sought to put further pressure on the party over the matter, calling it a "scandal".

The Gambling Commission has said it "cannot provide any further details" during an ongoing investigation.

The launch also follows a weekend interview by Ross in which he said Nigel Farage's Reform party, which is standing across Scotland, risks "letting the SNP in by the back door". He said: "I think people are becoming more and more aware of that and the risk that they will wake up on July 5 with an SNP politician because Reform votes will have allowed that to happen."

Holyrood Newsletters

Holyrood provides comprehensive coverage of Scottish politics, offering award-winning reporting and analysis: Subscribe

Read the most recent article written by Kirsteen Paterson - Solicitor General Ruth Charteris: 'I believe in justice'.

Get award-winning journalism delivered straight to your inbox

Get award-winning journalism delivered straight to your inbox

Subscribe

Popular reads
Back to top