RUSSELL Findlay has claimed the SNP’s “biggest failure is the economy” – mentioning the pro-independence party 23 times in his speech to the Conservative party conference.
Findlay, speaking at the Scottish fringe event at the party’s Manchester conference on Sunday, also claimed the SNP is “again agitating for independence”.
It comes after the Scottish Tory leader told the BBC that Holyrood did not need to be consulted if the UK leaves the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Findlay told the conference that First Minister John Swinney “talks a good game on the economy, but he is no financial magician – other than making people’s wages disappear”.
He said that Scotland’s economic growth has “lagged behind the rest of the UK’s since the SNP took power”.
“This has cost our economy nearly £12 billion,” he claimed.
"That lost growth plagues every person in Scotland; strains every public service; blights every aspect of the country.
"It’s why so many Scots are far worse off now than when the nationalists came to power in 2007. I don’t just mean financially. I mean worse off in the quality of their lives."
Referring to Swinney he claimed the First Minister will “blame someone else”, adding: “That’s the nationalist way.
"Say a big boy did it and ran away. John Swinney talks a good game on the economy, but he is no financial magician – other than making people’s wages disappear. And he’s been central to Scotland’s lost era of growth and opportunity.
"He is no innocent bystander. John Swinney was Nicola Sturgeon's slavishly loyal Mr Fixit."
He then suggested SNP tax increases have "cost Scottish taxpayers a total of £7.8 billion".
Findlay continued: "The SNP expect everyone to stay in their lane and to forget their ambition.
"The SNP want to turn Scotland into a country that rewards skivers, not strivers."
He said Swinney should “move on” from the cause of Scottish independence , adding: "While the SNP waste more time on taxpayer-funded independence papers, the Scottish Conservative party is focused on economic growth.
"Because economic growth is essential to Scotland’s success.
"We will provide common-sense solutions to improve people’s lives by firing up Scotland’s economy."
Findlay previously endorsed Liz Truss for leader of the Tory party. Truss spent 49 days in Number 10 before being forced to resign after causing interest and mortgage rates to surge following her mini Budget, with then-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng.
The Conservatives were also in power for 14 years in Westminster, presiding over Brexit, austerity, and the cost-of-living crisis.
During his speech, Findlay also cited Labour’s National Insurance rises as one reason that Reform has seen high polling numbers.
He said: “Their national insurance hike wasn’t just a broken promise – it broke our economy. It has cost jobs and investment, it has destroyed any chance of growing the economy.
“It has left people feeling that change is impossible and this has caused some to consider Reform UK, but they have even less regard for sound money than the Labour party. They don’t believe in fiscal responsibility, as we do. They are not conservatives.”
The Scottish Conservative leader said that he would be launching a business strategy ahead of next year's Holyrood election to set out the party’s plan to boost the economy in Scotland.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “The Scottish Government has a proven record of prioritising economic growth and attracting investment, which has resulted in Scotland’s tenth year as the top location for UK foreign investment outside of London.
“We remain firmly focused on growing the economy which is the only route to help lift families out of poverty, improve public services and tackle climate change. “Ultimately, only the powers of independence will allow us to create a wealthier and fairer nation for everyone in Scotland.”
