Russell Findlay will remind voters in Edinburgh today that backing the Scottish Conservatives on their peach ballot is key to stopping an SNP majority – and the constitutional chaos that would ensue.
The Scottish Conservative leader will be campaigning with predecessor Douglas Ross – who denied Nicola Sturgeon an outright victory in 2021 – and Edinburgh South Western candidate Sue Webber.
Findlay said that peach votes cast for his party in the capital and across Scotland were crucial to denying the SNP a majority in 2016 and 2021 – and that they will be again in Thursday’s election.
Swinney has repeatedly said that he will use an SNP majority, which he is confident of securing, to push for another independence referendum.
Findlay added that only Scottish Conservative MSPs could be trusted to fight the Nationalists’ efforts to rip Scotland out of the UK.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “In the capital, like Scotland as a whole, regional list votes for the Scottish Conservatives were crucial to denying the SNP a majority in 2016 and 2021.
“The same applies in 2026. And it’s more important than ever that people vote for us on that peach ballot, with John Swinney promising to push for another divisive referendum if he wins a majority.
“Only Scottish Conservative MSPs can be trusted to defend Scotland’s place in the Union and stand up for common-sense policies, like a crackdown on dangerous e-bikes on our streets, which Sue Webber has championed.”
Scottish Conservative candidate for Edinburgh South Western Sue Webber said: “Voters across Edinburgh and Lothians East know that voting Scottish Conservative on their peach ballot delivers MSPs that will always stand up to the SNP and for Scotland’s place in the UK.
“Households grappling with the cost-of-living crisis desperately need a break – and we’d provide it with tax cuts funded by reining in the SNP’s out-of-control benefits bill.
“Our common-sense plans to make the streets safer include empowering the police to automatically confiscate illegal and dangerous e-bikes and e-scooters on sight.
“E-bikes especially wreak havoc on our streets, terrifying pedestrians and causing accidents. They are often linked to organised crime, car theft and housebreaking, so we’d ensure that police officers seized them.”