Yousaf only thinks of his own backyard, claims Ross

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross will accuse the SNP of presiding over a “forgotten” Scotland in which those outside the central belt are ignored in a speech to the Tory conference.

Mr Ross will say First Minister Humza Yousaf, who represents Glasgow Pollok and lives in the Dundee area, “only thinks of his own backyard” and does nothing for the rest of Scotland.

He will tell the conference in Manchester that the SNP has focused on the wrong priorities and is obsessed with independence.

Mr Ross will accuse the SNP of going back on promises about roads, such as work to dual the A9 which does not have a completion date.

He will tell conference: “In every part of Scotland there are people who have been forgotten by this SNP Government over 16 years.

“Forgotten as the SNP have focused on the wrong priorities for Scotland, forgotten through incompetence and negligence, forgotten in the SNP’s obsession with independence.

“Humza Yousaf only thinks of his own backyard.

“He doesn’t do anything for the rest of Scotland.

Not only does poor infrastructure hold so many parts of our country back, but it also further entrenches the idea that they have been left behind

“If you live outside of the central belt, if you live far away from the M8, then the roads that you travel on will be worse.

“Rail services will be infrequent and digital broadband slower.

“That is before we even get on to the unreliable ferry services to Scotland’s islands.

“Not only does poor infrastructure hold so many parts of our country back, but it also further entrenches the idea that they have been left behind.”

Mr Ross will say “upgrades to the A9 promised since 2007 have still not even got a completion date”.

Earlier this month, Mr Yousaf insisted the Scottish Government is still “absolutely committed” to ensuring the road, which runs from Perth to Inverness in the Highlands, is converted to dual-carriageway.

The First Minister said the Government will update MSPs on the overall timescale for completing the dualling of the A9 “later this year”.

Mr Ross said: “There is no way that a similar situation would be tolerated on the M8.

“Yet because it concerns the north of the country, it is repeatedly moved down the priority list.”

SNP MSP Rona Mackay said: “The SNP has a strong track record in delivering for communities right across Scotland – from rolling out game-changing family and child benefits, to overseeing record staffing in our NHS, and supporting our farmers, crofters and agriculture sector.

“In contrast, the Tories at Westminster have ignored Scotland’s interests for decades; dragging us out of the EU against our will, short-changing the Scottish Government at every turn, and attempting a power grab on our Scottish Parliament by bypassing devolution.

“With independence, Scotland will get the governments we vote for – and we will not be forced to pay the price of Tory economic mismanagement and incompetence.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our National Transport Strategy guides everything we do, focusing on four priorities: reducing inequalities, tackling climate change, delivering inclusive economic growth and improving the health and wellbeing of our people – all of our people.

“We’ve been very clear on our commitment to dual the A9. During the statement to parliament on the Programme for Government on September 5, the First Minister confirmed the formal commencement of a new procurement for the dualling of the route between Tomatin and Moy, and we expect to update Parliament on a renewed programme for the remaining sections of the A9 this autumn.

“Everyone involved in delivering Scotland’s ferry services works incredibly hard to minimise cancellations and disruption as far as possible, and we continue to invest in renewing the fleet to increase resilience and confidence in our network.

“Delivering six new major vessels to serve Scotland’s island communities by 2026 is an absolute priority for this government.

“The Scottish Government’s £600 million Reaching 100% (R100) broadband investment programme is unlocking opportunities across rural Scotland by delivering future-proofed digital connectivity to some of the hardest-to-reach areas, while the £28.75 million Scottish 4G Infill programme is extending mobile coverage to 55 ‘notspots’ across the length and breadth of the country.”