SCOTLAND’S party leaders have taken to the streets on Saturday in what marks the first weekend since the General Election was called.
The First Minister led a “day of action” for the SNP as the first weekend of General Election campaigning begins.
John Swinney travelled around Scotland as he and other party leaders make their case.
He visited constituencies in Glenrothes, Burntisland and Rosyth where he discussed the SNP’s end to tuition fees, the doubling of NHS funding, the Scottish Child Payment, free bus travel for young, disabled and elderly people, and baby boxes.
Ahead of the national day of action, Swinney said: “I am proud to stand on the SNP’s record in government and to contrast it with the record of the Westminster parties.”
READ MORE: SNP puts 'Scotland making better decisions' at front of election campaign material
He added: “We have managed to achieve so much in the face of 14 years of Westminster austerity because we are the only party that will always put Scotland first – and which is focused on people’s priorities.
“But just imagine how much more we could achieve if all decisions about Scotland were made in Scotland, rather than by Westminster parties for whom Scotland will always be an afterthought and who are both doubling down on austerity and cuts.
“This General Election is the opportunity to put Scotland first and unite behind an alternative to austerity and the SNP’s message of hope – protecting the NHS, tackling the cost of living crisis and eradicating child poverty.”
Meanwhile, Anas Sarwar visited Wishaw in North Lanarkshire following the official launch of Scottish Labour’s campaign on Friday.
Sarwar said: “This chaotic and dysfunctional Tory Government has let down Scots and put their own party interest ahead of the national interest – but the same is true of the SNP.
READ MORE: David Cameron 'wasted' £60k to fly private jet to see 'drenched Rishi'
“This is a pivotal moment for Scotland and a chance to reject the division and decline of both the Tories and the SNP.
“The next six weeks will decide Scotland’s future and I know what path I want us to take.
“This election is an opportunity for change that we cannot afford to miss.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross (pictured above with Rishi Sunak) was joined by Stephen Kerr, the party’s candidate for Angus and Perthshire Glens, as he visited a railway station in Brechin.
Ross said: “Our campaign to beat the SNP and end their obsession with independence is going full steam ahead.
“John Swinney’s shameless defence of Michael Matheson is turning more and more local people away from the SNP.
“We’re asking voters to come together and take the opportunity to remove the SNP from every seat possible. We have a big chance in this election, but we need to seize it.”
Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said it is time to “tear down the acid yellow wall of the SNP” as he campaigned in Mid Dunbartonshire, which he claimed would be the tightest-fought seat in Scotland.
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