UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has declared that the Scottish Conservatives 'can and will' make a tangible difference in the upcoming May elections, concluding a two-day campaign visit north of the border.
Badenoch's Confident Stance Amid Polling Challenges
Speaking to the media in Aberdeen, Badenoch dismissed concerns over recent polling data, insisting the only survey that truly matters is the election itself. Her comments came as a Survation poll this week indicated a slight rise in support for the Scottish Tories to 13 per cent on both the constituency and list vote.
However, analysts suggest this level of support could translate into just 12 Holyrood seats. This would represent a loss of 19 seats compared to the last election, potentially the party's worst-ever result, and see them fall from second to fourth place behind Labour, Reform UK, and the SNP.
Praise for Findlay and Attacks on Rivals
Badenoch used her platform to heap praise on Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay, describing him as the 'best person' to be Scotland's First Minister. She highlighted his background as a former crime reporter who survived a gangland acid attack, stating he possessed 'integrity' while accusing other Holyrood party leaders of being 'away with the fairies'.
She also took aim at her political opponents. Badenoch criticised Labour, accusing them of prioritising the pursuit of power over substantive policies and being forced into 'U-turns all over the place'. She also took a swipe at former Conservative colleague Robert Jenrick, who recently defected to Reform UK, stating 'a man who said he wanted to lead has run away' and suggesting his actions proved he 'never cared'.
Scottish Labour's Campaign Leaflet Scandal
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour faced embarrassment after being urged to pulp a 'dodgy' campaign leaflet. The material featured a picture of maternity services campaigner Claire Fleming without her consent and attributed a fabricated quote to her.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar wrote to Ms Fleming to apologise unreservedly for the distress caused. SNP MSP Kevin Stewart demanded Labour destroy all copies of the leaflet, which had already been distributed to tens of thousands of voters in Glasgow, calling for its immediate recall.
A Scottish Labour spokesman described the incident as a 'regrettable administrative error'.
Finishing her visit at an offshore training centre alongside Findlay and shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie, Badenoch reiterated her party's focus on local issues. 'We care about people's jobs. We care about people's lives,' she stated, pointing to recent engagements with the Scotch whisky and oil and gas sectors as evidence of their practical, non-dogmatic approach.
