SNP punishing voters opposed to independence, claims David Mundell

Times

2 days ago

The SNP government 'cynically and systematically' punishes voters who oppose independence by starving their public services of funding, a former Scottish secretary has alleged.
David Mundell, who served in government under David Cameron and Theresa May, said NHS boards and councils in heavily unionist areas were 'struggling to provide basic services' due to what he suggested was a deliberate 'politically motivated' ploy by nationalist politicians.
He cited Dumfries and Galloway, and the Scottish Borders, as parts of Scotland that were particularly struggling as a result of voters' 'pro-UK' constitutional views.
While a majority of voters in 28 of Scotland's 32 council areas voted against independence in 2014, the idea was opposed in the south of the country, where two thirds supported remaining in the UK.
Mundell made the incendiary allegation that SNP ministers were deliberately punishing pro-UK communities in the Commons, at a session of Scottish questions.
While public services across Scotland have complained of being under financial pressure, Dumfries and Galloway council said in March that it had been forced to plug an 'unprecedented' shortfall of £30 million over three years. NHS Dumfries and Galloway has recently cut back on mowing lawns due to a need to deliver £23 million in savings.
Mundell, the long-serving MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale, asked Ian Murray, the current Scottish secretary, whether he shared his view that unionist areas were being deliberately targeted.
Mundell said: 'Whatever the budget SNP Scottish government have, they have cynically and systematically deprived funding from areas that do not support independence, leaving councils like Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders and their health boards struggling to provide basic services.'
Following his remarks in the Commons, Mundell claimed that his constituents felt they were being deliberately punished for their 'pro-UK views'.
He added: 'The deeply damaging impact of the SNP's politically motivated decisions can be seen right across my constituency. Our NHS is in a state of permanent crisis, schools are being earmarked for closure and vital roads like the A75 and A76 have been left in a state of disrepair on the SNP's watch.
'I was speaking on behalf of many people in my constituency who are sick and tired of the SNP government ignoring this area and putting money into public services and major projects across Scotland.
'This area is long overdue its fair share and shouldn't be missing out for wanting to keep our close ties with our neighbours.'
According to Audit Scotland, councils across Scotland face a £647 million gap between expenditure and the funding they expect to receive this year.
As a percentage of their total revenue budget, Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway councils did not have a disproportionately large funding gap compared with other local authorities.
However, Glasgow, Dundee and North Lanarkshire, three of the four areas to back independence in 2014, had below average budget gaps. The fourth, West Dunbartonshire, had a slightly higher shortfall than average.
Responding to Mundell in the Commons, Murray said: 'The whole of Scotland voted against independence in 2014. And it seems to me that the SNP government strategy is to starve all of Scotland's public services of the vital funding they require.'
The Scottish government has been approached for comment.