Nicola Sturgeon: SNP ‘vital’ to protect Scotland from dangers of Tory government

THE parties continued their criss-crossing across Scotland on Saturday as the first full week of campaigning came to end.

Nicola Sturgeon visited a farmers’ market in Glasgow, where she said the SNP had repeatedly stopped Labour and the Tories at Westminster from inflicting harmful policies on families across the country.

The First Minister said the party would continue to be “Scotland’s bulwark” against the dangers of an unopposed Tory government.

She said: “Now more than ever, we need strong SNP voices to stop the the Tories dragging Scotland backwards.

“In Scotland, it is only the strong voice of SNP MPs at Westminster, combined with an effective SNP government, that has protected Scotland from the full force of the Tories at Westminster.

“Now more than ever, it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland.

“Only then can we protect Scotland from the dangers of an unopposed Tory government at Westminster and continue to make Scotland the best country it can be.”

Campaigning in West Linton with Scottish Secretary David Mundell, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said her party’s opposition to a second referendum had particular relevance to younger voters.

She also urged young people to say no to another referendum.

Ms Davidson said: “Our key message at this campaign is to say no to a second referendum so we can face the challenges of the future together.

“That message applies to young people more than anyone. More uncertainty makes it harder for a young people to find work and get on the housing ladder.

“More security within the UK means they stand a better chance of building a future here in Scotland, without having to go elsewhere to do so.

Willie Rennie visited Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute, where he pointed out Ms Sturgeon had also visited this week, including East Dunbartonshire, North East Fife and Inverness.

He said: “The SNP are rattled. They have spent three whole days trying to stop us. The First Minister has been playing ‘me and my shadow’.

“Everywhere I go, the SNP follow. We know we are the challengers in these seats. The SNP know we are the challengers. It is now up to local people to rally behind the Liberal Democrat challenger to stop the SNP.

“We can stop another divisive independence referendum. We can stop a damaging hard Brexit from the Conservatives. And we can stand up for investment in education and mental health.”