Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay will today (Sunday) say the SNP’s economic record is their biggest failure in government and call for a major reset to make Scotland “open for business once more”.
Speaking at UK Conservative conference, he will say the SNP have failed to create opportunities for aspirational Scots and want to “turn Scotland into a country that rewards skivers, not strivers”.
Findlay will say Scotland’s economy has been stuck and stagnating for 18 years under the SNP.
He will say the Scottish Conservatives are renewing their focus on growing Scotland’s economy because that is the key to fixing public services.
The Scottish Conservative leader will call for a “fundamental shift” in the relationship between government and business so the SNP stop treating the private sector as the enemy.
Findlay will also say a “seismic change” is needed in outlook so Holyrood no longer “views tax hikes as virtuous and tax cuts as vulgar”.
Instead, he will say “government should make savings in its own spending, so that taxpayers can save money instead”.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay will say: “The SNP’s biggest failure is on the economy. Under the Nationalists, there are too few opportunities for the aspirational and ambitious.
“Whole communities are held back. Workers can’t reach their full potential. Entrepreneurial risk-taking is not rewarded. Huge numbers of people suffer a life of reliance on the state. Many families do fine but don’t see any way to do better, no matter how hard they toil.
“Instead of seeking to advance opportunities for everyone who wants to work hard, the SNP want to turn Scotland into a country that rewards skivers, not strivers.
“Tackling Scotland’s economic despair is what the Scottish Conservative Party, under my leadership, is setting out to do.
“We must be the true party of business once again. Always on the side of the entrepreneur, the innovators, the ambitious, the aspirational, the small businesses who make our country tick.
“We will renew our focus on growth and stand for strong Conservative economic values of fiscal responsibility, sound money, efficient spending, self-reliance, more freedom for people to aspire and cutting red tape.
“We will do so because driving up economic growth is key to fixing everything else in Scotland. A stronger economy can bring bills down; unlock faster GP appointments; raise school standards; fix the roads and everything else that needs to change.
“But revitalising our economy is about more than just what government can do. It’s about what people, families, workers, businesses and entire communities are able to achieve.
“I am calling for a major reset in Holyrood’s economic approach, so that Scotland is once again open for business and opportunities are there for those with the drive to seize them.
“A country that encourages aspiration instead of taxing ambition.
“Where the Scottish spirit of innovation can once again thrive.”