Russell Findlay will today be joined on the campaign trail by the man dubbed the world’s tallest Tory, as he urges pro-UK voters to deploy their “secret weapon” to stop an SNP majority.
The Scottish Conservative leader will be photographed holding a giant peach ballot paper as a reminder to voters to cast their real-life equivalent for his party to prevent the SNP winning the election outright.
John Swinney has repeatedly said that if he secures a majority – which he is now confidently predicting – he will push for another independence referendum.
Among the Scottish Conservative activists joining Findlay in Edinburgh will be 7ft 2in James McAlpine, who is also urging voters to back the party on the peach-coloured regional ballot.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “We know John Swinney will agitate relentlessly for another divisive referendum if he wins a majority, because he’s repeated it ad nauseam for weeks.
“That’s a chilling prospect for ordinary Scots, who want their government to focus on the cost-of-living crisis and fixing crumbling public services.
“But pro-UK voters have a secret weapon to thwart Swinney’s independence obsession.
“Voting Scottish Conservative on your peach ballot is the best way to stop an SNP majority. It worked in 2016 and 2021 – and it can work again.”
Scottish Conservative activist James McAlpine said: “John Swinney is forever telling tall tales about the SNP’s dismal record.
“But one thing he’s deadly serious about is breaking up the UK. If he gets the majority he thinks is in the bag, he will focus all his attention on securing another referendum.
“Pro-UK voters need to wake up to the enormity of the threat. But the good news is they can throw a giant spanner in the works by backing the Scottish Conservatives on the peach ballot paper.
“It’s the tried and tested way to stop an SNP majority – and the huge constitutional chaos that would lead to.”