‘SNP gravy train' must end, says Findlay in Holyrood pitch

The Herald Scotland

11 hours ago

'Wouldn't that be some prize?" he asked delegates gathered in a Murrayfield function room. "Swinney paying the price for his abysmal record.'
'We will aim to take on and defeat the SNP in more constituencies. Not just hold on to what we have but win more," he said.
'Yes, this is optimistic if you look at the opinion polls, but it is also realistic," he added. "If you speak to people, we can return constituency MSPs in each of the seats we won last time.'
Polling expert Mark Diffley told The Herald on Sunday he believed it was realistic to suggest the Tories could retain their constituencies, but they would likely struggle to keep their list MSPs.
'It is true that, despite their vote share in both parts of the ballot having halved since 2021, they have a better chance in the constituencies than on the regional list. This is largely because in the seats they hold, the SNP is second — and their vote share has also dropped significantly.
'The regional list is a different story, with Reform doing well and significantly eating into Tory representation. On average, current polling suggests the Conservatives will keep their five constituency seats but lose around 15 list seats — leaving them with around 15 MSPs, down from 31.'
Asked whether he was trying to present a setback as a success, Mr Findlay told journalists: 'This is an interesting interpretation — and lots of these pointy‑headed pollsters have been proven wrong in the past.
'I mean, nobody saw some of the most recent results. Everyone called that wrong. That is why I am absolutely optimistic and confident.'
Elsewhere in his speech, the party chief outlined new policies in what he called a 'blueprint for a common‑sense future for Scotland.'
He said the Tories would scrap the SNP's 'unaffordable and unachievable' 2045 net zero target, replacing it with an 'Affordable Transition Fund' — using proceeds from leasing offshore wind to cut £100 from every household energy bill.
He also pledged a Taxpayer Savings Act 'to get the books in order and deliver better value,' claiming a Scottish Conservative government would find £650 million worth of savings by reversing SNP ministers' £20,000 pay rise, cutting quangos, and reducing the number of special advisers and ministers.
Civil service staff would be reduced to 2015 levels — from 28,800 to 17,400 — and stricter rules on public sector pay rises enforced.
'The size of the SNP state is absurd,' Mr Findlay said. 'There are more of the most senior grade of executives in public sector Scotland than there are paramedics. I know which ones we need more of.
'The only get‑rich‑quick scheme in Scotland is snaring a first‑class ticket on the SNP gravy train — or maybe it is a camper van.'
He accused the SNP of building an 'obedient client state,' adding: 'But where is the benefit to workers and businesses who fund this through their sky‑high taxes?
'We would review every one of these public sector jobs while enforcing much stricter rules on pay rises.'
Proposals to strengthen transparency included a new Scottish Agency of Value and Efficiency — 'run by business leaders' — and an 'Accountability and Transparency Index' to scrutinise organisations receiving public money.
Mr Findlay also attacked both the SNP and Labour, describing Mr Swinney as 'an Amstrad politician in the Apple age' and said Sir Keir Starmer was 'wrecking Britain.'
He described the 2026 election as 'a referendum on the SNP's record' — 'a binary choice between the change that Scotland so urgently needs or more of the same from John Swinney.'
Mr Findlay added: 'If John was honest, he would acknowledge that Nicola Sturgeon is still in the driver's seat.
'Frankly, it will not be John Swinney winning another term — it will be the Nicola Sturgeon era all over again.
'By the election next year, her book will have been published. Its title is Frankly.
'Chapter One — Frankly I had no idea about Peter Murrell. Chapter Two — Frankly I had no idea about the campervan. Chapter Three — Frankly I do not know what a woman is.
'If this tome is an account of Nicola's achievements, then it will be a very slim volume. Perhaps it will sit on the shelves next to the books I have written — which can be found in the true crime section.'
He made a direct appeal to disillusioned voters, admitting the Tories had lost trust in recent years: 'We lost our way. In government, taxes rose too high, immigration was not brought under control and we stopped focusing on improving people's lives.
'I know next year will be difficult. We have a mammoth task to win back public trust. Even earning the right to be heard will take a huge and collective commitment. It will not happen overnight.
'But we must have confidence in the enduring appeal of our core values — the strength of what we stand for.'
Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said 'Russell Findlay's increasingly desperate attempts to stay relevant are becoming hard to watch.
'No one will forget the damage the Tories have done to our country - inflicting 14 years of chaos on us in government and providing the SNP with cover for their failures in Scotland.
'The Tories' hopes of unseating John Swinney next year are comically optimistic - but we can remove John Swinney as First Minister by electing a Scottish Labour government.'