SCOTTISH Tory leader Douglas Ross will say he is “sick and tired” of the SNP “whining they don’t have the financial levers to make a difference”.
Speaking in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Ross will unveil his party’s economic strategy and plans to create a “joint economic board” comprising ministers from the Scottish and UK governments to drive productivity.
The MP and MSP will also use the opportunity to criticise the Scottish Government’s economic record.
“I am sick and tired of the SNP whining that they do not have the financial levers at their disposal to make a difference,” he is expected to say.
“Humza Yousaf has a £60 billion budget at his disposal and total control over our devolved public services.
“Scotland deserves a government that is focused on the real priorities of the Scottish people. If we do not act now, then we risk leaving a poorer Scotland to the next generation.
“As a father to two young boys, that makes me worried for their future. But as a politician, it would be a dereliction of duty if I did not act.
“I say ditch the nationalist independence campaign and lead a national government for all of Scotland. Abandon the constitutional fights with the UK Government and work with the rest of our country.”
But the SNP hit back, saying that "Scotland is unique in the UK in having avoided strike action in our health service".
"That is competent government, and is a world of difference compared to the Tories at Westminster.”
SNP MSP Rona Mackay also hit out at Ross specifically, saying he had "taken the Tories backwards".
In his speech, Ross will add that the focus should be on the “big challenges” facing the country instead of the “narrow political interests of just a few”.
“The Scotland we live in today is unsustainable – despite the efforts of hardworking staff, our essential services are on their knees, reeling from one winter crisis after another,” he is set to say.
“None of us can afford for things to go on as they are, we need solutions to the big challenges that Scotland is facing, so we cannot have yet another Programme for Government in the Sturgeon mould.
“Tinkering around the edges for its own sake and focusing on divisive niche issues will not improve the lives of working families. Instead, we need to see real action.”
It comes as the First Minister is expected to lay out his first Programme for Government – the Scottish Government’s annual presentation of policy – when Holyrood returns next week.
Meanwhile, Ross (below) will say that raising taxes is a “short-term play” that “chokes off future growth and revenue”.
“As Scotland’s only party of the centre-right, we have a different solution that we will argue for,” he will add.
“That is why the Scottish Conservatives are today publishing our plan to grasp the thistle and grow Scotland’s economy – because economic growth should be put firmly at the centre of our national political agenda.
“With a growing economy, we can better fund our essential public services and deliver real improvements. With a growing economy, we can keep household bills low by reducing tax. And with a growing economy, we can create good, well-paid jobs and better opportunities for the next generation.
“The prize of a wealthier, more prosperous Scotland is there; we just need to do the long-term planning and hard work to seize it.”
Mackay responded: “While Douglas Ross has taken the Tories backwards from second to third place in Scotland – and his government at Westminster presides over austerity and the damage of Brexit – the SNP Government led by Humza Yousaf is delivering important new measures to strengthen our economy and public services.
“Unlike south of the border, Scottish ministers successfully negotiated to prevent a junior doctors’ strike, and Scotland is unique in the UK in having avoided strike action in our health service. That is competent government, and is a world of difference compared to the Tories at Westminster.”
