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General election 2017: Scotland's political leaders step up their campaigns | General election 2017: Scotland's political leaders step up their campaigns |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Scotland's political leaders are stepping up their general election campaigns, with exactly a month to go until polling day. | |
Ruth Davidson will officially launch the Scottish Conservatives campaign in Edinburgh while Kezia Dugdale will do likewise for Labour in Rutherglen. | |
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron will be in Scotland to congratulate his party's newly-elected councillors. | |
And Nicola Sturgeon will join SNP candidates in Perthshire. | |
The SNP hailed last week's council elections as a victory after the party won 431 seats, more than any other single party. | |
But a surge in support for the Scottish Conservatives saw them end the day with a record 276 councillors, more than double the 115 they secured five years ago. | But a surge in support for the Scottish Conservatives saw them end the day with a record 276 councillors, more than double the 115 they secured five years ago. |
Ms Sturgeon will tell voters in Perth that Tory gains came from Labour rather than her party, and warn that "the Tory mask" has slipped in recent days. | |
She is expected to say: "Theresa May's extraordinary attacks on our European partners demonstrate that an unchecked Tory government is prepared to pursue a chaotic hard Brexit if it is in the interests of the Tory Party, whatever the cost to Scotland." | She is expected to say: "Theresa May's extraordinary attacks on our European partners demonstrate that an unchecked Tory government is prepared to pursue a chaotic hard Brexit if it is in the interests of the Tory Party, whatever the cost to Scotland." |
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has challenged her party to redouble efforts over the next month. | Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has challenged her party to redouble efforts over the next month. |
She said: "Just as we doubled our numbers of MSPs last year, and doubled our number of councillors last week, we now we have to double our efforts over these next four-and-a-half weeks." | She said: "Just as we doubled our numbers of MSPs last year, and doubled our number of councillors last week, we now we have to double our efforts over these next four-and-a-half weeks." |
'Two horse race' | 'Two horse race' |
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will tell voters in Rutherglen they can "send a message" to Ms Sturgeon by backing Labour. | |
She said: "The council elections showed people are turning away from the SNP, because they are fed up with the Nationalists' attempt to force another divisive referendum. | She said: "The council elections showed people are turning away from the SNP, because they are fed up with the Nationalists' attempt to force another divisive referendum. |
"In seats like Rutherglen and Hamilton West, and in most areas across Scotland, it's a two horse race between Labour and the SNP. The only way to stop the nationalists is to vote Labour." | "In seats like Rutherglen and Hamilton West, and in most areas across Scotland, it's a two horse race between Labour and the SNP. The only way to stop the nationalists is to vote Labour." |
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron is bringing his campaign bus to Scotland as the party targets constituencies such as East Dunbartonshire and Edinburgh West. | |
Mr Farron said: "In this election people have a straight choice. They can reward Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond by sending another SNP cheerleader for independence to Westminster. | Mr Farron said: "In this election people have a straight choice. They can reward Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond by sending another SNP cheerleader for independence to Westminster. |
"Or voters can opt for a local Lib Dem champion who will reject independence, oppose a damaging hard Brexit and advocate for investment in mental health and education." | "Or voters can opt for a local Lib Dem champion who will reject independence, oppose a damaging hard Brexit and advocate for investment in mental health and education." |