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Ruth Davidson predicts 'best ever result' in Holyrood vote | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has told activists her party is on track for its "best ever result" in next year's Holyrood elections. | |
At a fringe event at the Conservative conference in Manchester, she outlined plans for a new "carer's allowance". | |
She also attacked the SNP's record in government, saying it was an administration characterised by "cronyism and incompetence". | |
The Conservatives have only one Scottish MP but 15 MSPs at Holyrood. | The Conservatives have only one Scottish MP but 15 MSPs at Holyrood. |
Ms Davidson said last year's independence referendum had put the soul back into the Scottish Conservatives. | |
Answering questions after her speech, she said: "I don't make predictions at elections, I never have. I've never been drawn on the numbers of seats we will have. But I have made a prediction on this one. | |
"I believe we are on course for returning the largest number of MSPs since devolution began. That is the challenge I have laid down to my candidates." | |
She said about a quarter of her supporters had voted tactically in May but that the list system for Holyrood would allow the party to maximise its support. | |
In her speech, she said her campaign could be boiled down to two sentences. | |
"We, the Scottish Conservatives, will speak for the two million Scots who want to keep our country part of the UK." she said. | |
"And we, the Scottish Conservatives, will always stand up for families wanting to get by and get on." | |
Ms Davidson outlined a new promise to Scottish voters that she would increase the carer's allowance to the same level as job seekers' allowance. | |
She said: "Nobody becomes a full-time carer because of money - they do it out of love - but as well as our recognition and our thanks, they deserve a little extra help and I want to make sure they get it." | |
And she condemned First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for "ignoring" the day-to-day concerns of Scots. | |
She said: "Two weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon could simply have used the first anniversary of the referendum to repeat her own words and accept there would be no re-run for a generation. | |
"Instead, she only added to the fears of employers in Scotland who are telling me week in, week out that speculation of another referendum is damaging their ability to expand." |