Ruth Davidson took a stab at her political rivals yesterday during a visit to Aberdeenshire where she met with the owners of flood-stricken businesses.
During her visit to the Ballater, the Scottish Conservative leader accused the SNP of failing to honour their promise of a “once in a generation” independence referendum, claiming it would only cause a further burden to struggling businesses.
Ms Davidson also claimed proposals for a new referendum were a clear shun to the voices of those who voted No.
She said: “We’re sitting in a part of the world where it was an overwhelming No, and the SNP are ignoring the decision that was made and are ignoring all of those voices that say ‘we made a choice, you promised us that after that choice was made, whatever happened would be respected and we’d be able to move on’.
“But they’re now not allowing people to move on by saying they want to launch a new campaign for independence in the summer, and that keeps that uncertainty alive – and that is not good for business.
“I will always stand up for Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom and will honour the decision that the country made, and I will always make sure the SNP government know that the once in a generation promise they made is something I expect them to honour, and will fight to have them honour.”
During her time in Ballater, Ms Davidson spoke with local butcher John Sinclair of HM Sheridan to discuss the Scottish Tories three-pronged offer on taxation.
The proposal would offer no higher income tax in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, capped increases in council tax and a freeze in business rates paid by individual firms across Scotland.
The third of which would arguably be the most significant to the local business community who have fought for lower rates since having a visit from John Swinney four years ago.
Ms Davidson said: “We’ve seen in the last few years that business rates themselves have gone up by 19% from 2010/11 until now.
“Businesses really have been hammered and we know that for businesses based in Ballater and similar, the business rate regime doesn’t work. It does not fit what you have in rural areas such as this, and as a consequence people are suffering.”
She argued that curbing rates was important to securing the future of businesses, adding: “Local Scottish firms have been milked for cash by the SNP with ever higher business rates. We believe rates now need to be frozen for individual firms. That might help employers hire a new member of staff or take on an apprentice.
“While our opponents argue about exactly how much extra tax should be taken directly out of peoples’ pay packets, we will focus on protecting salaries and supporting our job creators.”
