JACKSON Carlaw has been mocked by a Scottish Government minister after he “conceded” the Holyrood election 10 weeks before voting starts.
Humza Yousaf took aim at the former Scottish Tory leader after he posted a campaign advert on social media.
The Conservative MSP, who is aiming to retain his seat in Eastwood, East Renfrewshire, appeared to admit that the best his party could hope for is limiting the SNP to a minority government.
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His campaign poster reads: “There are just 10 weeks to stop an SNP majority. Here in Eastwood, only Jackson Carlaw can beat the SNP.”
Referencing the ongoing row between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond over the Scottish Government’s handling of harassment complaints, Carlaw captioned the graphic on Twitter with the message: “Look at how dysfunctional and distracted Scotland has been, even in just the last few days.
“This is with the SNP as a minority government.
“Do you really want to give them a majority? #StrongerForEastwood”
Look at how dysfunctional and distracted Scotland has been, even in just the last few days.
— Jackson Carlaw MSP (@Jackson_Carlaw) February 25, 2021
This is with the SNP as a minority government.
Do you really want to give them a majority? #StrongerForEastwood pic.twitter.com/iaqtJAALsV
Polls over the past year have consistently put the SNP on track to win a landslide victory in the Holyrood ballot.
The latest survey, published by Ipsos Mori, found 52% of respondents are likely to vote for the SNP in the constituency vote, while 23% will vote for the Scottish Conservatives and 15% for Scottish Labour.
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In 2016, Carlaw won the constituency vote in Eastwood with a margin of just 1610 votes over second-placed SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell, with Labour’s Ken Macintosh just a further 241 votes behind.
Responding to former Scottish Tory leader on Twitter, Scottish Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf wrote: “10 weeks out from an election and the Opposition has conceded. Bold strategy, especially in a marginal seat like Eastwood.”
It’s the second time in a matter of days that the Scottish Conservatives have been panned for their election campaigning.
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Earlier this week, the party was mocked after admitting an SNP majority will lead to a second independence referendum.
Boris Johnson has repeatedly refused to countenance another vote, but a campaign leaflet posted out across the country by Douglas Ross’s party states: “The SNP will hold another independence referendum in the next Parliament if they win a majority at May's election.”
SNP MP Patricia Gibson responded: "New leaflets from @Conservatives telling voters that if you vote for @theSNP in May there will be an independence referendum. Thanks for all your help in getting our message out there. And special thanks also to @BorisJohnson for all his ongoing help for our cause."
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