CONSERVATIVE MSP Annie Wells stormed on to Twitter to launch an attack on the Scottish Government's draft budget announcement - only to end up insulting everyone.
Wells tweeted "A message from @theSNP to the 1 million Scots who are to pay more tax. Don’t be ambitious, don’t be hard working and don’t be successful in the SNP’s Scotland."
A message from @theSNP to the 1 million Scots who are to pay more tax. Don’t be ambitious, don’t be hard working and don’t be successful in the SNP’s Scotland #BrokenPromise https://t.co/yYRct6IQs5
— Annie Wells MSP (@AnnieWellsMSP) December 14, 2017
Many were quick to spot the implication that the 7 in 10 Scots likely to face a tax cut were not, in the eyes of Annie Wells, ambitious, hard working or successful.
Others were offended that Wells assumed those who earned over £33k, and who will see their taxes rise, were not willing to pay a little bit extra to keep public services.
This is how Scottish Political Twitter reacted:
My mum raised 4 kids herself, put herself through a HNC, became a Family Worker and finished working on a salary of less than 15k. Don't dare tell me she didn't work hard. #ScotBudget https://t.co/hmlig9uVt5
— Brenna (@brennajessie_) December 15, 2017
I left school, worked in a shop, then the NHS, went to college, Uni, worked in industry, education, did Open Uni (self funded), changed career path, got a Masters, now lecturing. I'll pay more tax now & I'm proud to do it. I've done alright so it's right I pay my share @theSNP https://t.co/wm7stbwfI5
— Molly's Mum (@SNPsoosie) December 15, 2017
I’d count myself as ambitious, hard working and (somewhat) successful and I’m perfectly happy to pay more tax for the good of the country. https://t.co/WgzIFXk2jF
— stuart braithwaite (@plasmatron) December 15, 2017
A message from @Conservatives to the country: don't be disabled, don't be poor, don't be young, don't believe in strong public service. Basically don't want or ask for anything🙃 https://t.co/6YTEz6ZvsM
— Conor Higgins (@conorhiggins96) December 15, 2017
A message from the @ScotTories to everyone who is to pay less tax. You're not ambitious, you don't work hard, and you're not successful. https://t.co/CPY9gVFc7b
— Stephen 'All I Want 4 Christmas Is No Nazis' Paton (@stephenpaton134) December 15, 2017
You are a higher rate taxpayer @AnnieWellsMSP - by your logic below, does this mean you'll be resigning your job? #IllogicalGuff https://t.co/KTJ8VcURx8
— ForwardShop (@YesForwardCowal) December 15, 2017
So what is your message to the 70% who aren't paying more tax or who are paying LESS tax?
— All Of Us First (@_WeAreScotland_) December 15, 2017
You're NOT ambitious
You're NOT hard working
You're NOT successful?
Annie YOU are an embarassment! 😳🙈
Its about ALL OF US!! Not just SOME of us. #NatTax https://t.co/M9LqiClFvv
A message to the higher paid tax earners (I'm one), do not begrudge paying a little more for improving and increasing NHS services.
— Ewan Sanderson (@noisyewan) December 15, 2017
Do not vote Tory as their list of #BrokenPromise would reach the moon and back. https://t.co/tHK9IL4qfN
It's sad and unrealistic to equate ambition, hard work and success with a high wage. Doesn't pan out that way for many workers. https://t.co/LCZKK22Xeu
— Jen Dunn (@Jen13Scot) December 15, 2017
Now retired after being highest rate taxpayer for a little while. 2 kids free through uni, incl a year exchange in the US (free). now 4 granchildren, with school free meals, free nursery places, home visits NHS. Not a single reservation about the Scottish tax I pay. https://t.co/iViJPssNgj
— Gordon Smith (@Gordon_SmithSNP) December 15, 2017
The Scottish Conservatives have been approached for comment.
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