Scottish Tory MPs have been accused of plotting a fresh “power grab” of devolved powers after urging the next prime minister to bypass Holyrood when spending Whitehall funding in Scotland.
Ruth Davidson’s MPs have urged the next prime minister to spend UK Government money directly on Scottish projects to shore up the Union.
In a joint manifesto Scotland’s 13 Conservative MPs, including Scottish Secretary David Mundell, called on the next PM to stick to Theresa May’s no referendum pledge and spend more to promote the UK Government.
In their open letter, the group said: “If we are serious about communicating the benefits of the Union, then we have to show, not tell.
“The UK Government has to be involved in investing directly in communities in Scotland.”
The MPs called for continued tax relief for the oil and gas industry as well as cash machines and banking services maintained in rural areas.
They also want a replacement for European structural funds when Britain leaves the EU and “flexibility” around the £30,000 earnings immigration threshold for skilled workers in an attempt to prevent depopulation here.
The Scottish Tory MPs wrote: “Surely even the SNP would not be against more investment into Scotland.”
But direct funding of some projects would require a change in the Scotland Act to allow the Treasury to bypass the Scottish Parliament.
Kirsty Blackman, the SNP’s deputy leader at Westminster, called the spending plans a “power grab” on Holyrood.
She said: “This is an out and out Tory plot to tear up the Scotland Act and we should be deeply worried.
“Apparently it is the top priority for Ruth Davidson’s MPs that a new Tory leader should trash the devolution settlement altogether and mount a power grab on Holyrood.
“The powers of our Scottish Parliament aren’t there to be divided up as the spoils of a Tory civil war.
“They’re the vital levers our parliament needs to deliver better healthcare, education and the public services that we all enjoy in Scotland.”
Scotland’s 13 Conservative MPs are divided over who to back in the ten-horse race for Tory leader.
Stephen Kerr, Luke Graham and David Duguid are backing Michael Gove, Andrew Bowie and Paul Masterton are supporting Matt Hancock, Colin Clark and Ross Thomson are backing Boris Johnson and John Lamont has declared for Jeremy Hunt.
Mundell has not backed a candidate while Davidson is supporting Sajid Javid.
