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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

Nicola Sturgeon brands Tory leadership contest 'dismal' and has no preference on who wins

Nicola Sturgeon has branded the Tory leadership contest as "dismal" and insisted she has no preference on who wins.

The First Minister spoke out after Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were earlier this week confirmed as the final two candidates in the race to replace Boris Johnson in Downing Street.

Sturgeon claimed both would be "terrible for Scotland" if they ended up as the next Prime Minister.

Conservative party members will vote for their preference via postal ballot with the winner declared on September 5.

Speaking on a visit to a medical centre in the Parkhead district of Glasgow, the SNP leader said: "I actually think the whole thing is dismal.

"I don't have a preference as I think they will be both terrible for Scotland.

"I'm here in Parkhead and I don't think there are many people here or in any part of Scotland that would vote for either of them - and therein lies the problem.

"Scotland keeps getting Tory prime ministers that we vote for."

Sturgeon added: "Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss, whichever one is elected, is yet another prime minister that Scotland hasn't voted for - and wouldn't vote for even if it was given the chance.

"We need to have change in Scotland that ensures we get the governments that we vote for."

Asked if she thought either candidate would be more likely to grant an IndyRef2, the SNP leader added: "Both of them are hypocrites on this issue and democracy deniers."

Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross has so far r efused to endorse a single candidate and has insisted he is ready to work with whoever takes the top job.

The Record also revealed yesterday how no Scottish Tory MP has publicly endorsed the bookies’ favourite to be the next Conservative Prime Minister

Liz Truss is struggling to win the support of parliamentarians north of the border, with only two MSPs so far backing her.

It came as former Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson backed Truss rival Rishi Sunak for the top job.

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