umza Yousaf may lead Scotland into “catastrophe”, Douglas Ross warned as he set the Tories the duty of profitable again voters who had been “forgotten” by the SNP.
The Scottish Conservative chief claimed the First Minister was solely within the Central Belt and was forsaking voters in different areas and those that didn’t assist independence.
With a common election anticipated in 2024, Mr Ross mentioned the Tory celebration would pledge to totally twin the A9 to Inverness and the A96 “as quickly as attainable” – though he acknowledged transport was a devolved difficulty.
He additionally highlighted plans for a Native Policing Act and the recruitment of 1,000 further officers.
We name him ineffective – however really he’s reckless. He is definitely extra reckless than Nicola Sturgeon
Talking at a fringe occasion on the Conservative Occasion convention in Manchester, he took purpose at Mr Yousaf’s document and his partnership with the “extremist” Scottish Greens.
“Humza Yousaf is a hazard to Scotland,” Mr Ross mentioned, warning “he might drive Scotland to catastrophe if we’re not cautious”.
“We name him ineffective – however really he’s reckless. He’s definitely extra reckless than Nicola Sturgeon.
“On independence, he’s extra rash, irresponsible and hasty than even Nicola Sturgeon was at her worst.
“He’s ready to push tougher and extra aggressively than she did for independence.
“He has mentioned it himself – in subsequent 12 months’s common election – even when he loses a bunch of his MPs however manages to squeak a majority by a single seat, regardless of his share of the vote, he’ll declare independence.
“Even Nicola Sturgeon would have dismissed that plan as too far.”
Mr Ross claimed Mr Yousaf, who represents Glasgow Pollok and lives within the Dundee space, “solely thinks of his personal yard” and does nothing for the remainder of Scotland.
Mr Yousaf has insisted the Scottish Authorities continues to be “completely dedicated” to making sure the A9, which runs from Perth to Inverness within the Highlands, is transformed to twin carriageway.
The First Minister mentioned the Authorities will replace MSPs on the general timescale for finishing the dualling of the A9 “later this 12 months”.
Mr Ross mentioned: “There isn’t any means {that a} comparable scenario can be tolerated on the M8.
“But as a result of it considerations the north of the nation it’s repeatedly moved down the precedence record.”
He gave a “forged iron” dedication to twin the highway, however acknowledged it was a devolved matter for Holyrood.
However “stress from the UK Authorities” and a big consumption of Scottish Conservative MPs would “maintain the SNP’s toes to the fireplace”, Mr Ross mentioned.
SNP MSP Rona Mackay mentioned: “The SNP has a powerful monitor document in delivering for communities proper throughout Scotland – from rolling out game-changing household and little one advantages, to overseeing document staffing in our NHS, and supporting our farmers, crofters and agriculture sector.
“In distinction, the Tories at Westminster have ignored Scotland’s pursuits for many years; dragging us out of the EU in opposition to our will, short-changing the Scottish Authorities at each flip, and making an attempt an influence seize on our Scottish Parliament by bypassing devolution.
“With independence, Scotland will get the governments we vote for – and we is not going to be pressured to pay the worth of Tory financial mismanagement and incompetence.”
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