NICOLA Sturgeon will tonight say the next Tory leader and Prime Minister could do more damage to Scotland in 18 weeks as Margaret Thatcher and John Major's governments did in 18 years.
The First Minister has described the Conservative contest to succeed Theresa May as "a horror show" and will raise the contest in a major speech in Edinburgh tonight where she will also underline the need for Scotland to become an independent country.
She is expected to say: "Immense damage to Scottish communities was caused by an out-of-touch Conservative Party that governed, unelected in Scotland, for 18 years.
“But now I fear a similarly out-of-touch Tory Party, led by an even more reckless leader, could cause as much damage as Mrs Thatcher and John Major did.
“But while they took 18 years, he, whoever it is, could do as much – or more – damage in just 18 weeks. Because by the end of October, Scotland could be heading for a no-deal Brexit.”
The First Minister will set out Holyrood's record in aiming to improve the lives of people in Scotland with what she says will be the damage that could be caused to future generations by Brexit.
“Throughout the last 20 years – and this is due to members from all parties – the parliament has sought to improve the lives of the people of Scotland," she is due to tell the "Devolution at 20" event, organised by the Reform Scotland think thank.
“I believe the record of achievement is a significant one. And it’s maybe telling that – in the most recent Scottish Social Attitudes Survey – 61% of people trust the Scottish Parliament to act in Scotland’s best interests. For the UK Parliament, the score is 21%. Social justice was central to the campaigns of the 1980s and 1990s which helped to create a Scottish Parliament. That was linked to concern about a democratic deficit."
And she will renew her call for Scotland to be independent.
"Instead of the chaos and dysfunction at Westminster, I believe people want a welcoming, tolerant, internationalist, European, equal, caring Scotland," she will say.
“We can achieve that country if Scotland’s future is truly in Scotland’s hands. That’s why, for all the undoubted successes of devolution, this has to be a time for taking stock.
“Scotland must have the option of choosing a different course. The next six months could offer challenges greater than anything we have seen in the last 20 years. In my view they will inevitably require greater powers for Scotland – indeed the full powers that come with independence.
“But in discussing the shape of those extra powers, and how we gain them, we need to ensure that our debates are thorough, thoughtful and constructive – that we carry as many people as possible with us.
“If we achieve that, we can surpass – rather than simply fulfil – the hopes of 20 years ago. And we can ensure that Scotland’s new song is of a greener, fairer and more prosperous country.”
Her speech will co-incide with a television debate with the Tory contenders following the second round of voting by Tory MPs for their preferred candidate.
Boris Johnson topped the first round with 114 votes.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel