A Renfrewshire SNP politician has ramped up calls for an independent Scotland and warned the Conservatives are on a mission to "out-Thatcher Thatcher".
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The UK Government and the SNP look set to go head-to-head, with Downing Street asking judges to dismiss any case for Scotland to have the power to hold a second independence referendum.
Last Month First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans for a referendum on October 19 next year, just under ten years since the last referendum.
Following PM Boris Johnson's resignation, one of the candidates to replace him, Rishi Sunak, has claimed that he takes the same view as Johnson when it comes to Scotland having an independence vote, something that MP Kirsten Oswald says is “toxic”.
The SNP MP for East Renfrewshire said: “Be in no doubt: the only way for Scotland to rid itself of more toxic Tory austerity is by becoming an independent country.
“So far, we’ve seen candidates competing on who can out-Thatcher Thatcher – with Rishi Sunak going as far to say he will govern just like her.”
“Meanwhile, candidates like Nadhim Zahawi are prepared to slash NHS and education budgets if he is elected. It's clear that this Tory race to the right will be devastating for Scotland.
The SNP Deputy Westminster Leader feels that Scotland will prosper if they are set free from the UK Government, with the First Minister saying on multiple occasions that Scotland is being governed by a government that they did not vote for.
The SNP have warned that any future Tory Prime Minister that takes office will still be a Prime Minister Scotland “did not vote for”.
Oswald feels that the only way Scotland’s economy will be safe is for major change for the country: ”Scotland wants a different future to the one being imposed under Westminster control.
"Brexit has cost our economy billions and Tory cuts are pushing people into poverty - therefore the only way to keep Scotland safe and deliver meaningful change is to become an independent country.
Speaking in the UK Parliament today, SNP Leader, Ian Blackford, agreed with Kirsten's statement, calling the UK Government a “Zombie UK Government” as he questioned the Prime Minister in Parliament during PMQs.
Mr Blackford said: “I can say with all sincerity that I hope that whoever is the next Prime Minister, is as popular in Scotland as Boris has been.
“To the people of Scotland, Westminster has never looked so out of touch. We have right wing Tory contenders prioritising tax cuts for the rich and a zombie UK Government failing to tackle the cost of living crisis.”
Eight candidates secured the backing of 20 MPs to replace the MP. He says he will leave with his "head held high".
Penny Mordaunt is the favoured leadership candidate among Conservative party members, a poll has found.
The MP for Portsmouth North won 27 per cent in a snap survey of 879 members, which was conducted overnight following the confirmation of the ballot on Tuesday.
Mordaunt will need to get into the last two of the contest in order to face the vote of the party which is expected to get underway next week.
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