Joe McGurk is a Conservative and Unionist Party member. He works in Parliament, and previously worked in the Scottish Parliament.
In the dynamic realm of politics, it is not uncommon for individuals to undergo ideological shifts and reassess their political allegiances. From the 1970s when Reg Prentice crossed the floor and went on to be a member of Margaret Thatcher;s government to the present day when Lisa Cameron defected from the SNP and also became a Conservative MP.
When such moments happen, it is hard not to look back on your political past and assess your journey. Dare I say that it is almost healthy.
I used to be a staunch supporter of the Scottish National Party (SNP), believing that they were the party that could best represent the interests of Scotland and deliver on their promises for a better future. However, as time went on, I began to see that the SNP was taking its membership and the wider Scottish public for granted, while systematically alienating the right of Scottish politics.
One of the key issues that led me to question my support for the SNP was their handling of education in Scotland. Despite promising to improve educational outcomes for all students, the SNP’s record on education has been lackluster at best. Scotland has seen a decline in literacy and numeracy levels among students, and there are concerns about the widening attainment gap between students from different socio-economic backgrounds.
In addition, the SNP’s management of the Scottish economy has also raised red flags for me. Despite having control over key areas such as taxation and spending, the SNP has failed to effectively manage the country’s finances. Scotland’s deficit has continued to grow under SNP rule, and there are concerns about the sustainability of the current fiscal trajectory.
The SNP’s track record in government has been marred by a series of failures and broken promises. Children’s mental health targets have never been met in eight years, and the party failed to achieve the 95 power cent target for cancer patients being treated within 62 days. The SNP spent £1.5 million per year on civil servants preparing for an unwanted Indyref2, diverting resources from more pressing issues.
The botched handling of Scotland’s census, which went £27 million over budget, and the real-term cuts to the Rural and Islands budget are clear indicators of the SNP’s mismanagement. The party also broke a manifesto promise to invest £25 million into rural housing and allowed a double rapist to be sent to a women’s jail. Additionally, the SNP voted to allow 16-year-olds to change gender and rejected an amendment to ban convicted sex offenders from changing gender.
On top of these failures, the SNP missed the target of building 50,000 affordable homes by 2021 and failed to finish the transfer of welfare benefits powers, despite setting a 2020 target. The dualling of the A9 remains incomplete, and the cost of the Ferguson ferries reached £338 million – 3.5 times over budget and six years overdue. The SNP also spent £4.1 million on free mobile phones for prisoners, while 610 fewer police officers are on the streets.
Considering these failures and broken promises, it is clear that the SNP’s leadership has not served the best interests of Scotland and ultimately led me to question who best served me and that of wider Scottish society.
I started to look for an alternative that could offer a more responsible and effective approach to governing Scotland. That’s when I turned to the Scottish Conservatives.
The Scottish Conservatives have been the only party in Scotland to effectively challenge the SNP’s dominance and hold them to account for their failures. The Conservatives have presented a clear and coherent vision for Scotland’s future, focusing on improving education, growing the economy, and delivering better public services.
Scotland has seen just how effective the Scottish Conservatives have been, as they forced the resignation of Humza Yousaf while continuing to pressure for the resignation of Michael Matheson due to an expenses scandal that would have led to dismissal in any other job. But it seems the usual rules don’t apply to the SNP.
Then we look at the awful Bute House Agreement between the SNP and hard-left Scottish Greens which has been nothing but detrimental for Scotland. This power-sharing government was solely about retaining power and stoking division rather than bringing a country together to work towards a better future within the UK.
The Scottish Conservatives have presented clear policies to address key issues for votes. They have a track record of challenging the SNP’s dominance and holding them accountable for their failures time and time again.
A transformative journey for the Scottish Conservatives under Ruth Davidson and Douglas Ross has been marked by a shift in perspective and a commitment to seeking a more nuanced understanding of political ideologies. They have transformed the party, which now offers real hope and promise over the dogmatic Scottish Greens, an independence-crazed SNP, or a broken Scottish Labour party. The Scottish Conservatives are driven by idealism and a desire for immediate change.
The Conservative approach emphasises fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention, and a belief in individual liberty and personal responsibility. These principles provide a solid foundation for economic growth, job creation, and a thriving business environment. Furthermore, Conservatives recognise the importance of preserving national traditions, values, and institutions while adapting to the evolving needs of society.
I do genuinely believe that the Conservative party is what gives us hope. It is what inspires me as young person to get involved like never before in politics.
By aligning yourself and myself with a party that shares our values and priorities, we can feel confident that our interests and the interests of the country are being best served.
Beyond the economic considerations, however, the United Kingdom provides a sense of unity and shared values that transcends political differences. Scotland’s participation in the larger tapestry of the UK enriches the cultural, social, and historical fabric of both Scotland and its fellow countries.
It is time for a change in leadership and a fresh approach to governance in Scotland.
That is why on July 4th it is more important than ever to vote Conservative in every part of the UK. For me, The Scottish Conservatives are the only viable option and a real alternative to take Scotland forward more strongly and positively.
Let’s support a party that is committed to putting Scotland first and working towards a better future for all Scots and vote Conservative.
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Author: Joe McGurk
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