We'll clean up SNP mess, vow Tories

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The Scottish Tories have pledged to fix problems caused by SNP incompetence ahead of publishing a manifesto containing pledges on tax and public services.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has promised that Tory MPs elected on July 4 will have a ‘laser-like focus on the key priorities of Scots’ – whereas SNP representatives would be distracted by their obsession with independence.

The manifesto for the General Election, launched at an event with Rishi Sunak in Edinburgh today, will promise to recruit an additional 1,000 GPs and 1,000 extra police officers, introduce whole-time life sentences for the most serious criminals, and upgrade a series of vital roads.

It will also include a tougher approach on violence in schools, increase subject choice for pupils, end the presumption against short prison sentences, and oppose the roll-out of low emission zones.

The Tories will promise to lower the current 21p intermediate rate of income tax to 20p, and pledge to lower income tax rates to the same as the UK in the longer term. 

Douglas Ross yesterday in Portsoy, Aberdeenshire

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Mr Ross said: ‘The Scottish Conservative manifesto has a laser-like focus on the real priorities of the Scottish public. It provides solutions to the problems caused by years of SNP incompetence and poor decision-making.

‘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 1,000 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 on independence.

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

‘Under the SNP, key public services have got worse, while Scotland has become the highest- taxed part of the UK. That tax gap is hurting workers, reducing our competitiveness and making it harder for the NHS to recruit and retain key staff.

‘The SNP tax hikes are stifling economic growth.’

He added: ‘This election is a chance to beat the SNP. If voters unite behind the Scottish Conservatives in key seats, we can do that – and end the SNP’s independence obsession for good.’

The manifesto will pledge to provide a ‘guarantee’ patients will get a GP appointment within a week. It will propose an increase in the proportion of NHS funding for GP services to 12 per cent.

The party backs the urgent upgrade of key roads as its infrastructure priority, with a pledge to dual the A9 between Inverness and Perth as early as possible. Upgrades are proposed for the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen, the A75, A83 and A1.

A pledge to oppose the rollout of low emission zones is also proposed, while councils would be properly funded to tackle potholes and maintain local roads.

In schools, a ‘subject guarantee’ would be introduced to ensure all pupils can take at least seven subjects in S4.

Meanwhile, the Curriculum for Excellence would be overhauled, head teachers would get more control of budgets, staffing and the curriculum, and one of the new education agencies would be based in Aberdeen.

Teacher contact time would be cut from 22.5 hours to 18.5 hours, allowing more time to prepare lessons, and red tape and bureaucracy would be cut.

Extra support and staffing would also be introduced to allow ‘constructive interventions towards disruptive pupils’.

In response to Mr Ross’s comments, SNP candidate for Glasgow North Alison Thewliss said the Tory party ‘is already finished in this campaign’.

Tax cuts, 1,000 extra GPs, 1,000 extra cops, dual A9, oppose LEZs: Their vote-grabbing manifesto

Among the party’s promises in five key areas...

TAXATION

■ An immediate 1p cut in the intermediate rate of income tax from 21p to 20p, saving over half of Scottish taxpayers up to £171 a year.

■ Further tax cuts for higher and top earners ‘when financial conditions allow’ to ensure no Scots pay more than the rest of the UK.

HEALTH

■ Increase the proportion of NHS funding going to GP services to 12 per cent, to recruit an additional 1,000 GPs.

■ Introduce ‘national standard’ to ensure patients get GP appointment within one week.

JUSTICE

■ Recruit an additional 1,000 police officers.

■ ‘Suzanne’s Law’ to block release of killers who hide location of victim’s body; ‘Michelle’s Law’ to make victims’ voices heard at parole and temporary release process and prevent killers returning to affected communities.

■ Double sentences for attacks on 999 workers.

■ Whole-life terms for most serious offenders.

■ End presumption against short sentences.

■ End automatic early release of offenders.

ROADS

■ Fully dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness ‘as early as possible’.

■ Upgrade other ‘neglected roads’, including the A96, A90, A75, A77, A83 and A1.

■ Oppose rollout of low emission zones and look at other ways to improve air quality.

■ Ensure councils are properly funded to maintain local roads and tackle potholes.

SCHOOLS

■ Guarantee all pupils can take at least seven subjects in S4.

■ Reform Curriculum for Excellence with more focus on knowledge-based approach.

■ Give head teachers more control of budgets, staffing and the curriculum.

■ Reduce bureaucracy for teachers.

■ Reduce class contact time for teachers from 22.5 hours per week to 18.5 hours, giving them more time to plan lessons.

■ Ensure the right support and staffing for ‘constructive interventions’ for disruptive pupils, in response to a rise in school violence.