THE Scottish Tories aren't hard to define.
The Union: good. Scottish independence: bad. That’s pretty much it.
The ingenious strategy which underpins this philosophy entails attacking almost everything the pro-independence Scottish Government does.
Astonishingly, that method does not always pay off, as MSP Alison Harris has discovered in the most embarrassing fashion.
The Tory representative for Central Scotland has lambasted the Scottish Government for failing to match the UK Government’s £40 million commitment to the new Falkirk Growth Deal – a major project to drive economic recovery in the area.
She tweeted: “The UK Gov has confirmed a £40 million investment in the Falkirk Growth Deal. This is the 11th growth deal in Scotland, bringing the total investment across the country to £3.2 billion. This funding is vital to Scotland’s economic recovery. What's the Scottish Gov doing – anyone?”
The UK Gov has confirmed a £40 million investment in the Falkirk Growth Deal. This is the 11th growth deal in Scotland, bringing the total investment across the country to £3.2 billion. This funding is vital to Scotland’s economic recovery. What's the Scottish Gov doing - anyone?
— Alison Harris MSP (@AlisonHarrisMSP) July 21, 2020
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Unfortunately, it seems Harris failed to read the small print, or indeed the large print.
The new Falkirk Growth Deal is a £90m project, with the majority £50m share provided by the Scottish Government.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop, announcing the investment, added: "The Scottish Government has now committed more than £1.8bn to City Region and Growth Deals and related investments across Scotland."
That, in answer to Harris’s question, is what the Scottish Government is doing.
Greens MSP Andy Wightman was kind enough to point out the error of her ways, along with scores of astounded Twitter users.
It is contributing £50 million, Alison. https://t.co/PTufM2lLpc
— Andy Wightman MSP (@andywightman) July 21, 2020
The SNP added: "The Scottish Government is investing £50 million in the Falkirk Growth Deal to support the region and deliver long-term benefits to local communities and businesses – £10 million more than the UK government has committed to."
Hyslop also addressed the claim.
Alison this is a joint Growth Deal for Falkirk with a key role in leadership for Falkirk Council and the private sector. The Scottish Government is providing £50m and the UK Gov £40m. https://t.co/I90guUcTPs
— Fiona Hyslop (@FionaHyslop) July 21, 2020
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