Russell Findlay: Scottish Labour has ‘no direction’

Russell Findlay will say the Scottish Conservatives is the only party that stands for change in the lead-up to the Scottish Parliament election next year following Labour’s decision to allow the SNP’s budget to pass.  

In a speech later today, the Scottish Tory leader will set out his party’s proposed solutions to improve public services and the economy and will argue the Tories are the only party at Holyrood with different policies from the SNP on areas such as the economy, education and housing. 

He will also claim that “a series of disastrous moves from Sir Keir Starmer” has led to Scottish Labour no longer using the word “change” in its party slogan.  

Findlay will cite the UK Government’s “broken promises,” such as the raise on employers’ contribution to national insurance, winter fuel payments, inheritance tax on farmers, payments to Waspi women, single-sex spaces, and energy bills. 

He will say: “The Scottish Conservatives are the only party standing for change, now that Labour have decided to let the SNP budget pass. 

“Labour have admitted they no longer stand for change and it’s clear why – Sir Keir Starmer has broken countless promises within a year of gaining office. 

“Anas Sarwar won’t stand up to Sir Keir Starmer and he looks even more spineless when it comes to John Swinney. 

“Labour votes will mean the SNP budget passes, so no wonder they have dropped the ‘change’ slogan. They only offer more of the same left-wing agenda as the SNP have already inflicted on Scotland.” 

A Scottish Labour source told the Daily Record last week that Scottish politics is in a “different phase” and voters do not dislike the SNP in the same way as the Tories.  

However, Findlay has said the party is “becoming the SNP” and has criticised Scottish Labour’s backing of recent Scottish Government legislation such as the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, and the recent Scottish budget. 

He will add: “Anas Sarwar’s new slogan is ‘new direction’, but it should really be no direction. By abstaining to let the SNP budget pass, he’s not standing for anything. 

“He now seems to be trying to make inroads against the SNP by becoming the SNP. 

“The Scottish Conservatives are now the only party standing for the change that Scotland needs to fix public services and improve the economy. 

“After 18 disastrous years where the SNP raised taxes and reduced the quality of public services, there needs to be a fundamental shift in the way Holyrood operates. 

“The 2026 election is all to play for. In that election, we’ll proudly stand for common sense values of opportunity, aspiration and fairness.”