SCOTLAND has reacted to Liz Truss’s victory in the Conservative Party leadership contest, with critics warning she is not up to the task of tackling the cost-of-living crisis or taking action to save the environment.
The Foreign Secretary beat former chancellor Rishi Sunak by around 20,000 votes after a gruelling two-month campaign following Boris Johnson being ousted by Tory MPs.
Truss’s election has sparked calls for an early General Election from trade unions while political opponents have urged her to beef up proposals on tackling the cost-of-living crisis facing the country.
But Alba have said the victory of the "pound shop Margaret Thatcher" "could yet be Scotland's opportunity".
Neale Hanvey, Alba's Westminster leader said: "The day when Tory governments, the people of Scotland did not elect, dictate to the Scottish people is coming to an end.
“Our people are facing destitution and a humanitarian crisis as energy bills sky rocket and families face financial hardship. The answer is for Scotland to take control of its own resources into our own hands with independence so that energy rich Scotland can deliver affordable energy for our people currently being plunged into fuel poverty.
“The lesson of this result is that the future of Scotland will only be determined by Scots themselves.
"Alba believe that a campaign of popular action, parliamentary intervention and diplomatic initiative can bend Westminster and a weak Prime Minister to the will of the people of Scotland. Now is the time for Scotland to act.”
'Time to strike for independence'
All Under One Banner tweeted: "The Tories have no mandate to rule in Scotland, yet Liz Truss will deny the democratic decision of the people of Scotland for so long as the Scottish [Government] does not exercise the democratic decision of the people of Scotland.
"Now is the time to strike for independence."
Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said the announcement Truss would become Britain’s next prime minister was “terrible news for Scotland and our environment”.
She added: “Liz Truss has supported every single one of Boris Johnson's most damaging decisions.
"Whether it was the Brexit deal that has curbed our right to travel while driving up prices, the cruel Universal Credit cut that has taken vital support away from thousands of the most vulnerable people and families, or his failure to act during the worst cost of living crisis for decades.”
“Her proposals for a major expansion of North Sea oil drilling would leave us even more dependent on fossil fuels while doing real and lasting damage to our environment at a time when we should be investing in the renewable jobs of the future.
“It doesn't need to be like this. Scotland has had far too many Tory prime ministers that we didn't vote for and can't remove.
"With the powers of independence, we can finally take our future into our own hands and build a fairer, greener and better future.”
Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour said Truss’s election was “not a fresh start” for the country or the Tory party.
He added: “Like many people, I breathed a sigh of relief when Boris Johnson resigned. But my relief at his departure was short-lived.
“Liz Truss might claim to be different to her predecessor, but the grim reality is that a Tory party that has lost touch with reality will still be failing families across the UK.
“Instead of the fresh start our country needs, the best the Tories can deliver is more deceit, division, and distraction.
“All the while, families worry about how they will afford spiralling bills and sky-high energy costs.
“The cost-of-living crisis is the number one issue facing families today, and the Tories have no answers.
“That’s why Labour will implement a meaningful windfall tax on oil and gas giants and freeze energy prices to put money in people’s pockets.
“The time is up for the Tory party - only Labour can replace them.”
Roz Foyer, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) general secretary, has called for an early General Election and warned the country is facing a “humanitarian disaster”.
She added: “No good for Scotland can ever come from a Tory Prime Minister. We need a General Election not a Tory party coronation. The first thing Liz Truss needs to do is call that General Election so we can oust this uncaring and cruel government from office, holding them accountable for this catastrophic cost-of-living emergency.
“This country is facing a humanitarian disaster. If she is to remain, she must take steps to curve inflation, freeze energy prices and nationalise the energy companies making reprehensible profits on the backs of freezing workers.
“Those at the top can pay. The obscene pandemic profiteers can face redistributive taxes as those at the bottom struggle to survive.
“Workers have had enough. The new prime minister is on notice that our movement no longer accepts the contempt in which UK Government politicians hold us – and we’re mobilising to do something about it.”
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross welcomed the election of Truss and urged her to bring together the Tory party which suffered deep divisions during the mud-slinging of the leadership contest.
