DOUGLAS Ross insisted he believes he will be Scotland’s next first minister four times last night as an interviewer read out polling figures showing the SNP is on track for a majority win at Holyrood.
STV’s John MacKay asked the Scottish Tory leader if he “seriously” believes he’ll win next year’s Scottish Parliament vote – to which Ross repeatedly said yes.
The most recent polling on Scottish Parliament election voting intentions shows 57% of people plan to back Nicola Sturgeon’s party in May, while consecutive surveys have shown majority of support for independence.
The last poll on Holyrood, a YouGov survey carried out between August 6 and 10, put Tory support on 20%.
READ MORE: Yes support soars as SNP set for record Holyrood majority
Both Ruth Davidson and Jackson Carlaw insisted they could be the next first ministers of Scotland before resigning as Scottish Tory leaders.
MacKay asked Ross what his intention is for next year’s Holyrood election.
“It’s to be first minster, I believe I’ll have the policies behind me and the Scottish Conservatives and the people of Scotland can see we’re a real alternative to the SNP after 13 years,” the Moray MP said.
MacKay then asked: “Do you seriously think you can be first minster?” to which Ross simply said: “Yes.”
The journalist was taken aback: “Despite everything in the polls suggesting … despite the current situation that we have in terms of seats in Holyrood, the turn-around that would be required for that, but not only that the polls that are suggesting the SNP may even have a majority of 20 seats next year. Are you seriously saying you can be first minister?”
.@Douglas4Moray once again making an erse of himself on live TV claiming he will win and be First Minister, repeats it twice. 😂😂😂 #scotnight pic.twitter.com/XH3Tu5hRJt
— indy swim (@indy_swim) September 7, 2020
“Yes I am John,” Ross said again. “And I’m ambitious about the opportunities for the Scottish Conservatives and for the party I’m leading into the elections next year.”
MacKay told the MP: “It’s all very well being ambitious but you have to be realistic as well.
“Would it be the case that if you managed to prevent an SNP majority, maybe prevent a second independence referendum, you might think job done?”
Ross, for a fourth time, insisted he is “in this to win this”.
If YouGov’s latest polling was translated into seats, the outcome would make the SNP the most powerful party of government since the parliament was re-established in 1999.
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