04/03/2016 Scottish Conservative Party Conference

Hello, a very warm welcome to our live coverage of the Scottish

Conservative Conference. The Prime Minister calls his Scottish leader

the Sturgeon slayer, as the party counts down to May's election. We

will bring you the debate on the EU from inside and outside the

conference hall. We're await pg the keynote speech by the leader, Ruth

Davidson, at 3. 40pm. We'll have that live.

Now the Scottish Conservatives have a clear goal - they're hoping to be

the party of Opposition at Holyrood ousting Labour. In her speech this

afternoon, Ruth Davidson will guarantee NHS funding and will have

something interesting to say about income tax. I'll be joined for the

duration of the programme by Professor John Curtis of Strathclyde

University. Our political editor, Brian Taylor, is also with us live

at the conference venue at Murrayfield. Very good afternoon to

you. We're hearing some ambitious hopes. Good afternoon indeed.

Ambitious goals from the Conservatives this afternoon.

Limited ambition of course, it's not to govern in the Scottish Parliament

but to form the Opposition. Ruth Davidson will build upon the point

that the Prime Minister made, the SNP are moving towards a one-party

state. Well that's something that's disputed by others of course. The

Conservatives are trying to talk up that prospect to posset themselves

as the champion that's can prevent the SNP wielding all power, can try

and challenge that power. Of course, to do that, they have to supplant

the Labour Party, the second party at Holyrood. I think in seeking to

do that, they will seek to contest the Labour Party on two particular

things: First of all, on the possibility of the prospect of a

second independence referendum. The Conservatives will say that they

have no truck with that whatsoever and they stand firmly against that

and try to depict their Labour rivals not having the same strength

on that. The second is taxation, with Labour offering an increase in

taxation in Scotland, a penny on income tax across all bands. Albeit

with rebates for the lowest earners. The Conservatives will try to

contrast themselves with that very much. Do I believe that Ruth

Davidson will offer a tax cut? No, I do not. I believe she will say that

tax in Scotland should stay the same as tax throughout the rest of the

UK. She will use that as a distinction between her party and

the Labour Party. Much more fr pry -- from Brian throughout the

programme. A few years ago it would have been amazing to hear of the

Conservatives overtaking the Labour Party. There is evidence that the

Scottish Conservatives have made moves in the last six months. On the

first anniversary of the independence referendum in September

last year, the Tories were on 14% in the opinion polls. Recently, until a

couple of poll untils this last week, they got themselves up to 17%.

One poll this week suggested they've week, they got themselves up to 17%.

slipped again substantially. That's modest progress. It's not dramatic.

In truth, we should remember that 17% is actually what the

Conservatives got back in 1997, in the general election, which they

suffered a whitewash and they lost all their MPs in Scotland. 17% is

actually no more than the best performance that the Tories have put

in in Scotland in a Parliament election. It's not clear signs, at

last, of the Scottish Conservatives reviving from the undoubted weak

position they've been in since 1997. The fact that we're talking about

even the possibility that they might overtake Labour is much more to do

with the weakness of the Labour Party in Scotland. Recent opinion

polls put Labour, on average, at no more than a fifth of the vote. Only

one poll putting them even Stephens. The Conservatives on 17%, not a

particularly impressive performance, The Conservatives on 17%, not a

simply at the high end of what they've been at during the course of

the last 15 years, that might be enough for us to even think of the

possibility they could overtake Labour is telling you more about the

Labour Party than it is about changes in the fortunes of the

Conservatives. We'll hear from Ruth Davidson this afternoon. Perhaps the

party's fortunes haven't changed real li. It's down to -- really.

It's down to the Labour Party. Has she changed the face of the

Conservative Party here in Scotland? To give her credit, I think Ruth

Davidson is a remarkably popular and, at least, respected politician

north of the border, given the unpopularity of her party. The

opinion polls show clearly that more people think she's doing a good job

as leader. They're satisfied with the leader, than think she's doing a

bad leader. On a range of social issues, not least gay marriage, Ruth

Davidson is at the liberal end of the spectrum and has helped to

persuade people that a party that the spectrum and has helped to

has hitherto, there were a lot of people aged over 65, is now led by

somebody who is young and not socially conservative. Butch she is

clearly a Conservative when it comes to economic issues. She's indicated

that actually her ambition would be to reduce the level of income tax in

Scotland. As Brian said, it's unlikely she will make that promise

this afternoon because the truth is the state of the finances make that

a very different promise to deliver. I think we can anticipate,

particularly given that the other two Unionist parties, not just

Labour, but also the Liberal Democrats, have come out in favour

of increasing income tax in Scotland, she will regard at Oliver

Letwin a good positioning from -- at least a good position from her point

of view that the Conservatives will least a good position from her point

never have income tax higher than in England. Thank you. Before the

conference got under way, Brian Taylor interviewed Ruth Davidson.

We're expecting an announcement on income tax in her speech. So Brian

asked her - would you cut income tax with the new powers? I think tax

cuts have to be earned. I think that, of course, as a centre-right

cuts have to be earned. I think politician, as a Conservative, I

want the burden to be low on families, but I absolutely believe

in the fabric of the United Kingdom that holds us together as a social

union as well as economic union. That means making sure we have the

public services and the style of life that we want to enjoy to make

Scotland one of the best places in the world to live and to work and to

have a family. Sounds like no tax cut in May, but it could come

further down the road? You're trying to read the tea leaves now. I will

leave that to the speech. Are you tempted by the prospect of a tax

cut? It sounds like not. You say it has to be earned. There's a debate

in your party, I know that for certainty, there's a debate in the

party about whether a tax cut is an eye catcher or whether it's

problematic because you get asked what services you would cut. There

could be all the debates in the world, but the buck stops with me. I

will speak to conference in a few hours and making that plain.

Question on health from Jennifer Allen. It's the business of young

people with neurological conditions being cared for in homes that are

designed to care for the elderly. What do you make of that one? One of

the big issues is that we don't have enough knowledge about where and how

this is happening. I pay tribute to a colleague of mine is a different

party who's done so much work on this, Dr Richard Simpson in the

Labour Party, a former GP himself. He has rightly highlighted the fact

that a lot of health boards across Scotland don't actually know how

many people this occurs to. Some of them are people that, as you say,

are below pensionable age. Some of them are a long way below

pensionable age and care homes in that sense, the ones that they're

finding themselves in really aren't appropriate for their leads. The

first way to help with any problem is to find out how big it is and we

don't know. There's a lot of work to be done. I would expect and I would

don't know. There's a lot of work to hope that the Scottish Government

take Dr Simpson's intervention on this seriously and make sure they

move with it. You will talk today this seriously and make sure they

about an offer on health. Explain to the viewers what that offer is.

Sure, we know that between 2010 and 2015, lots of money and health

consequential, the amount of money put in the Health Service down south

went up, a proportion of that money went up to Scotland as it does, and

the SNP didn't spend it on health. If we put numbers on that. Health

spending in England between that period went up by 7%. In Scotland up

by 1%. The SNP took money away and spent it on other things. We want to

have a guarantee that says that we're going to care for our NHS and

we're going to make sure that it's fully funded. We know there's ?10

billion more going into the Health Service down south. We want to make

sure our portion goes into the Health Service. Our guarantee is

that health spending in Scotland will go up either by 2%, by

inflation or by the consequentials from England, whichever is largest.

Every penny gets put into the NHS. Scottish ministers say the promise

was to protect revenue, day-to-day spending, they have done. So they

say that any gap there is is accounted for not comparing

like-for-like on capital expenditure They say they will take this one key

part of the butt and move it to -- budget and move it to somewhere

else. It's the day-to-day spending on nurses and the Health Service..

The numbers don't lie. The money came to Scotland, they spent it on

other things. It's really clear out there, people know that our NHS - I

mean there are doctors and nurses and porters and managers that work

way belong their time to keep the show on the road. We need to make

sure that they have the support that they need. And that there is more

money that can be put in. It doesn't require a tax rise. It's coming to

the Scottish Parliament any way. Let's make sure that's spent on

health. The question of the European Union and the referendum. Nan

McPherson not happy. Says the voters will head for Brexit. She says

because of Europe's inability to deal with the refugee crisis. She's

sat down and looked at the numbers and divided them up among all

countries. She says when the mess is seen they will head for Brexit. Do

you that I that's right? I don't. People in Britain are an outward

looking people. We have always been a nation that particularly wants to

trade with our neighbours and has gotten involved in the world. You

were torn yourself. When you issued a statement you said it was this,

this, this, this and then you said, "on balance". You were torn. Did you

have to wrestle with this personally? Other Conservatives have

have to wrestle with this said they have. Not wrestling, but

for me it is on balance, a rational decision. Something like, for

example, the referendum we had on staying part of the United Kingdom,

for me was absolutely head, heart, gut, body, soul, passion decision.

For me, this is an impassionate decision but one that I've come to

where I think it is in our best interests to stay. I'm not a

passionate Europhile that sleeps under a duvet cover with the stars

of Europe flag on it. You astonish me! Shocking, I know. As a trading

nation and growing up in a household with we're a MoDDest family --

modest family, but every plate of foot in front of us was because my

dad made stuff and sold it abroad. I see the need for Scotland's

businesses to stay part of one of the biggest free trade blocks

anywhere in the world. It makes sense for us to be part of it. Do

you understand why some senior colleagues, Cabinet members have

they've come to a different view on balance? I do understand. It I

disgrow with them. I disgree in Scotland. They say it's so important

that we're part of a trading union in the EU, where we sell about 17%

to 18% of Scotland's goods and services, so much so that we have to

to 18% of Scotland's goods and protect that 17%, that we leave a

union where we sell 68% of goods and services. I see the dichotomy, which

I find strange. Talk about your party with the comments from the

likes of Iain Duncan Smith and Boris Johnson with what they would regard

as scaremongering from the other side, the from the Prime Minister

and the Chancellor. Can the party stay together after this, is there a

risk of division? I think this is an honest disagreement. The party has

been grown up enough to say let's have that in public and make sure

that we have a full-throated debate if required. Let's let the people of

this country decide. I don't mean to show the difference in our

experiences, but the last referendum on Europe was before I was born. If

you're under 58 years old, you've never had a say. I think it's right.

People right across Scotland, whether Conservative or not, whether

they're inner or outer, will understand that both sides have a

home in the Scottish Conservative Party and it's only because of the

Conservatives that they're getting a vote at all. Can your party stick

together? Without a doubt. How can you work together after Cabinet

members have been at each others' you work together after Cabinet

throats, it will be for months. . Let's not get hysterical, Brian.

People are putting policy positions out there. You know, there have

always been disagreements out there. You know, there have

political parties. This issue is not new or exciting or news worthy that

there are people on different sides of this argument. That's why the

Prime Minister has taken the right decision to allow a free vote on

this and to make sure that it goes to the country and not just to a

vote in Parliament. Everyone's vote counts the same, whether you're a

Cabinet minister or whether you turned 18 the day before the vote

itself. They can kiss and make up afterwards, well, maybe not kiss. I

don't like to cast aspersions, there's not many I would like to

don't like to cast aspersions, lock in an embrace! But we're a

grown-up party. Don't worry about us, we know what's important, that's

making sure the Government of this party stays on track. That was Brian

Taylor speaking to Ruth Davidson this morning. We will bring you her

keynote speech at around 3. 45pm. The conference has heard from the

Prime Minister. David Cameron addressed party members this

morning, saying only the Tories can challenge the SNP and prevent

Scotland becoming a one-party state. Here is more of what he had to say.

This is a team that has done great things. When the fate of our country

hung in the balance, when we were told it was too tight to call, we

won the referendum and we kept the four Nations United. In 2015,

won the referendum and we kept the Britain's security was on the ballot

paper, people said we were heading for the Labour, SNP Alliance but we

stop David Miliband -- Ed Miliband and Alex Salmond in their tracks. I

thank you all for that great election victory. Now, in 2016, when

we face some tough elections and the SNP lack any scrutiny from the

second largest party, we can be the ones that give Scotland a strong

alternative it needs. That's right, we, the Scottish Conservative Party.

alternative it needs. That's right, Today, we are the effective

opposition and for the next 62 days we will fight to become the official

opposition. There are four big messages we need

to get out there over the next 62 days. The first thing we need to

tell voters is about our United Kingdom. We always said we were the

party of the union. Now it is clear we are the only party of the union.

For the SNP it is still independence are nothing, despite settling the

matter for a generation. Now we have Labour and the Liberal Democrats,

saying that politicians can campaign either way if a second referendum

should take place. They have effectively abandoned their support

for the union. For Scotland, this is huge. It leaves just one party, the

Conservatives, just one person, Ruth Davidson, to speak for the 2

Conservatives, just one person, Ruth people who voted no in the

referendum. Let's tell those voters this: If you care about your

country, if you love Scotland and you know our four Nations arbiter

together, there is only one party for you and that

together, there is only one party secure the future of the union by

holding a referendum, but also by delivering real devolution. We

reached the latest milestone, delivering real devolution. We

milestone in that journey last week. delivering real devolution. We

There is a delivering real devolution. We

responsibility. So it is delivering real devolution. We

the SNP Scottish Government to end the grudge, gripe and grievance and

start to govern Scotland. It is an end to the blame game, the book

stops at Bute Council. Smith delivered, of our meta-

stops at Bute Council. Smith Conservative and Unionist Party. We

have won the argument that you can have devolution in the United

Kingdom and be stronger, safer and better off as a result.

Kingdom and be stronger, safer and to win the next argument, that

Kingdom and be stronger, safer and whiskey, eat Salmond, use

Kingdom and be stronger, safer and financial services, Scotland relies

on the financial services, Scotland relies

jobs, spanning so many Scottish sectors linked to the ability to

trade sectors linked to the ability to

fall back on the basic rules of global trade, as some have

suggested, it could mean tariffs as high as 13% on Scottish Salmond. 14%

on lamb and up to 17% on some beef products. It is time to explain to

those who want to leave on how Scotland a lot if we left. It is for

them to look those farmers in the eye and tell them if they

them to look those farmers in the pay tariffs, and if how much. It is

for us to argue when this great exporting nation can trade with the

world, people are better off with more jobs, more growth, more

investment, more opportunities, all adding up to a brighter future for

Scotland. We will be safer in a reformed Europe. It is there we have

areas of cooperation might the European arrest warrant, through

which we have extradited 7000 foreign suspects. I believe we are

stronger in a reformed Europe. Our nation put Scotland in the driving

seat on the world's biggest issues. Scotland proved it shows you can be

successful, strong, part of the United kingdom. I believe that is

what we can do in a reformed Europe. Where we have the best of both

worlds, in all the things that are so important it was, like the single

market, but carved out of those things we don't want any part of. So

no euro, no eurozone bailout is, no European army, no Schengen open

borders and no Euro superstate. If we left, we would be swapping that

certainty for uncertainty. We have worked so hard to get our economy

growing, to get our people into work, to see living standards rise.

Leaving the EU could put so much of that risk. Now there is another risk

to our economic security - tax rises. That is the second thing we

need to tell voters about, the risk from Labour. We revealed their big

idea to help working people and an from Labour. We revealed their big

income tax rise for everyone. Just as people are getting jobs, just as

they are beginning to see their pay rise ahead of inflation, light at

the end of the tunnel, Labour want to start raiding their pay packets.

They say they are doing it to help the low paid. But who will feel the

tax rise? Will it be the rich, those with well-paid jobs, those with big

homes and there money worries? No, it will be the young teacher just

starting out. The nurse on 25 Grant, the shop worker who has to watch

every penny they spend. Labour have said they will hand some people ?100

back if they fall below a certain threshold. How much would that cost

back if they fall below a certain to administer? Wouldn't it negate

the revenue it was supposed to be generating? Why don't you just don't

take the money of the people in the first place? We believe no one

should pay more tax here than they do in England, Wales or Northern

Ireland. Under Ruth, not a penny more. We need an approach that

addresses the social causes, the social inequality that can hold back

the brightest children because of their background. We can be proud it

is us, the Conservatives, who are the real progressive force in

Scottish politics today. The fourth thing we need to tell voters, we are

the party that can challenge the SNP. We are now the only party that

can't properly challenge the SNP. They have been in power for nine

years, they are the establishment. With Labour's collapse, Scotland is

in danger of becoming a 1-party state. Look at the litany of SNP

failure. School attainment stagnating. The number of college

students, falling. Help for poorer student at university, cut. Then

there is the mess of the law that banned football songs, the lost

accountability of merging eight police forces into one. The

abolition of right to buy. Even though Nicola Sturgeon's family

benefited from it, she is saying you cannot. There is this named person

policy, which ensures every child is allocated at Guardian, even if they

have parents and no need for this extra bureaucracy. I can tell you

who needs a Guardian, someone to keep them in check, is the SNP, they

need a Guardian. So, my friends, is false to us, the Conservatives, the

only party fit to expose the spendthrift, out of touch, dogmatic

and inept nationalists for what they are. And that is what we have got to

do in the next 62 days. That was David Cameron's speech. Listening to

that at Murrayfield was Brian Taylor. Brian? David Cameron

offering to be the guardian, I think it was, of the SNP, the watchdog. I

am joined by the Secretary of State for Scotland, is that a credible

situation to offer the Conservatives, you are not the

largest party in Holyrood, the Labour Party have bigger numbers

than you and always have? We are going into this election fighting a

strong campaign, as the party who can hold the SNP to account, make

sure they do what they say they going to do and focus on policies

that make a difference for the of Scotland. Move forward from the

grievance, a gripe and the constitutional wrangling. Have

proper debates about health, education and transport, the issues

that matter to people in Scotland. It is clear with Davidson is the

person to hold Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP to account. I think we will

see in the results in the election, a significantly larger Conservative

group. And I hope seeing Ruth as the Leader of the Opposition in

Scotland. You are presumably accepting the SNP are going to win

the overall majority again and Nicola Sturgeon will be First

Minister? You can never take the electorate the granted but if you

look at the opinion polls over a period of time, the election is that

the SNP to lose in Scotland. It would be impossible to see

circumstances in which they wouldn't emerge as the largest party. I don't

think people want to see a 1-party state. They don't want to see a

situation where a party is able to govern unchallenged. Over the last

nine years, Labour have been caught missing in action as the official

opposition. Haven't laid a finger on the SNP in the Scottish Parliament.

Anyone watching First Minister's Questions can see that Ruth can and

does hold Nicola Sturgeon to account. It is an Conservative Party

does hold Nicola Sturgeon to challenging and Conservative Party

who will speak up for people who voted to remain in the United

Kingdom, the 2 million people... The SNP have managed to corral the yes

voters into their camp in supporting the SNP. You are saying you want to

corral the no voters who would have been Liberal Democrats or nothing at

all. You want them in your camp behind the Conservatives? There is

only one party going to the Scottish elections

commitment to keeping Scotland in the United Kingdom.

commitment to keeping Scotland in has made it quite clear Labour

supporters would be able to campaign for in or out

supporters would be able to campaign referendum in Scotland. Jeremy

supporters would be able to campaign on the union. He was one of the few

Labour MPs who didn't bother to come up to Scotland during the

independence referendum. I don't think voters can have any clear idea

that Labour will stand up for Scotland being in the United

Kingdom. Conservatives are campaigning, including Cabinet

Conservatives of yours are campaigning for in stock does that

make your position incoherence on the European Union? The European

issue is a different issue in relation to Scotland remaining

issue is a different issue in the United Kingdom. The Conservative

Party north and south of the border the United Kingdom. The Conservative

are 100% committed to Scotland remaining part of the United

are 100% committed to Scotland Kingdom. It is a core part of

message these elections. Kingdom. It is a core part of

core part of the labour or Liberal Democrat message. If people want

core part of the labour or Liberal someone in the Scottish Parliament

who will stand up for Scotland someone in the Scottish Parliament

that person is Ruth Davidson. someone in the Scottish Parliament

Prime Minister referred to the someone in the Scottish Parliament

on tax countering that Labour proposal of an increase of 1%. The

on tax countering that Labour How close are we close the Leader

on tax countering that Labour the House -- of that bill going

through the House? It should come through the Parliament in ten days'

time. If the motion is passed, I have become complete the

Parliamentary process by the time the Scottish Parliament is

dissolved. That is March 23. That could mean the income tax powers

could come into place for April 20 17. It has been agreed between the

two governments that we should work towards those object debts. NXT's

Scottish Parliament setting, the budget would be taken into into

account what the rate of spending in Scotland would be. The Prime

Minister is saying Scotland should not be paying

Minister is saying Scotland should the UK. Why don't you go and offer a

tax cut in Scotland? The natural the UK. Why don't you go and offer a

instinct of the Conservatives, particularly of Ruth is to move

towards a reduction in tax. We have to get

towards a reduction in tax. We have sure it is working and make sure all

the finances start-up. The conservative are alone tax party and

that is our position to move to a position to move to lower taxes in

Scotland. What we are committed to and what people can vote for in

Scotland is a guarantee that under the Conservatives you would pay no

more tax than elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

How will you get this message across for the Scottish elections when the

question is all about the EU? The EU for the Scottish elections when the

referendum is a big issue. I don't think it will be the dominant issue

in Scotland over the next couple of months. It will be the Scottish

Parliament elections. I think they will be at the fore. I think the

referendum campaign here in Scotland will really kick off on the 6th of

May. Of course, there will be discussion and debate around the

referendum, because that will be discussion and debate around the

happening nationally, but I don't think that it will be the dominant

thing in voters' minds over the next two months. It will be who will be

running Scotland and how will they be held to account. Iain Duncan

Smith says that those who are advocating remaining in the European

Union are guilty of smears. What do you make of that? I don't think

that's an accurate description. What I think is necessary just as it was

in our referendum here in Scotland, for Ian and all the colleagues who

support leaving, and I respect the view. Most of these views are long

held in relation to the EU, what they have to do is set out what the

alternative is. It's not scaremongering to ask what the

alternative would be. What would it look like for ordinary people, for

their day-to-day jobs and the economy for Britain to be outside

the EU? And so far, whilst I've heard lots of criticisms of the EU,

many of them valid, I haven't heard anybody set out a coherent picture

of what it would look like of Britain being outside the EU.

Secretary of State, thank you very much. We hand you back to the

studio. Now for Conservatives, as Brian was

pointing out, Europe has always been a major issue and conference is a

buzz with talk of the forth coming referendum. David Cameron and Ruth

Davidson have been making their positions clear, we caught up with

another member voting for vote leave.

I'm joined by Dr Liam Fox. Thank you very much for joining us. The Prime

Minister arguing in his speech that very much for joining us. The Prime

to leave the European Union would be swapping certainty for uncertainty.

What do you make this afternoon? Well, staying in the European Union,

with the risks of the euro, with what's happening with Europe's

borders, with our inability to make our own laws and having laws applied

to us from the European Union carries risks of its own. Both sides

have their version of risk. I think that we, as a country, should be

able to make our own laws and control our own borders, which is

why I want to leave. Because we cannot do that while we're in the

European Union. The Prime Minister saying Britain can have the best of

both worlds being in the common market but not obliged to join the

single currency or join the Schengen arrangement for a borderless Europe.

It doesn't matter whether we're in shownen or not -- Schengen or not,

people can move across Europe freely. When they're able to get

citizenship in Europe, they'll be able to come to the United Kingdom.

In the last decade, over 1. 16 million people have come from the EU

to live in Britain. Those who are coming into Europe at the moment

to live in Britain. Those who are from Syria, from Afghanistan, from

Pakistan and so on, once they have citizenship, will be entitled to

come to the UK and there's nothing we can do about that. Not only does

it put pressure on school places and housing and the Health Service, but

we don't know the security situation because we don't know who those

people actually are. How about the economic argument that Britain

trades with Europe, Scotland in particular, exports food and drink

and many other exports to the European Union, those might be

jeopardised by tariff barriers. It's not very often I would mention Jim's

intervention this week. We import from Europe ?67 billion worth of

goods and services more than we sell to them. Therefore it's in their

interest that we maintain a free trade environment. You can't

guarantee that. The Prime Minister and others are challenging you to

say what Britain outside Europe would look like. You cannot

guarantee there would be that trade deal. It's logical that will happen.

Because otherwise, is Mrs Merkel going to tell BMW they can't sell

cars to Britain to punish us for leaving the EU, the Italians won't

sell us furniture? The European leaders won't cause unemployment and

economic hardship in their own countries to punish Britain. It's a

economic hardship in their own scare story, which I do not believe

stands up to scrutiny. We heard earlier from Iain Duncan Smith

saying that he believes there are smears being used in this campaign.

Are you concerned about that as well? Negative campaigning is always

used. Let's be honest about that. But it has to be credible. Yesterday

we had the re-release of a previous flop in the Calais story, which had

already been blown out of the water by the French interior minister. If

you're going to use negative campaigning, at least get it right.

You don't think it's credible to make those arguments and complaints

about the British exit? When you make the arguments as were made over

Calais this week, it's probably a good idea to make sure that the

people on the other side are not going to contradict you. Tell me

about the situation for Scotland with regards to this campaign, we're

at the Scottish Conservative Conference. The party here is

divided over the yes of Europe. You have the SNP advocating from the

leadership certainly, and no signs of great division there, but from

the leadership advocating membership of the European Union being

retained. Do you welcome their support or do you find it curious?

It is slightly curious to say we don't want to be governed from

London because it's too far away, we'd rather be governed from

Brussels. I always found that a bizarre thing for the SNP to say. In

a sense it doesn't in that the SNP are often driven not just by their

pro-Scottishness but by their anti-Englishness. At least they're

consistent to that extent. Do you believe the Conservatives can

regroup after the referendum, regardless of the outcome? Or will

the divisions of the referendum itself cause problems for party

unity? I think that's largely dependent on how well we treat one

another in the run up to and during the referendum. If we treat one

another's views with a sense of tolerance and a sense of decency,

then it will be easier for us to come back together afterwards. If we

build up artificial divisions and go from the passions that will be

generated by the debate into temper and pep lance, that will make it

much more difficult. Thank you very much for joining us.

Europe has been a popular topic among many members, the merits of

remaining in the union was discussed at length in a session earlier. From

the Czech Republic the MEP, the president of the alliance of

European Conservatives, and reformists, spoke first to Egypt

session. -- to open the session. I have the honour to speak on behalf

of the AECR, the political family of which I am president and

Conservative Party, including Scottish Conservatives, a proud

member of. There was no such thing like the AECR 12 years ago. Thanks

to the efforts of the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and other

European political leaders, we made it real. We made it the third

largest European political party and we made it a main political force,

which is fighting for the idea of European superstate. What we want

and promote is slim, deregulated, decentralised, flexible cooperation

of states and nations, not something which is run by Brussels elites.

What UK Conservatives, including Scottish Conservatives, are

promoting fits perfectly to our intentions. On European debate here,

believe me, it is none of my business to interfere or to advise

you what to do in your referendum, but I can only hope, on a personal

level that UK and Scotland, including, will vote to stay,

because I hope that you will not leave us alone in that, just with

German cooperatismer... APPLAUSE

It's your decision. In my few words this afternoon to you about a theme

which the Prime Minister has touched on, but which was not specifically

one of the four boxes that had to be ticked in his difficult

one of the four boxes that had to be negotiations, that is the subject of

security. I am the justice spokesman. I do all of the - Ian

mentioned immigration - but I do border controls, all the issues

regarding terrorism and major criminality. In particular, I deal

with the exchange of information which goes on now on a regular and

proper basis between the different intelligence agencies and police

forces through the European Union. I think that the reform agenda, which

the Prime Minister seeks, not only has the effect of having immediacy

in terms of the results, but it also has set a train going in Europe,

which I'm convinced is going to change the mood of the continent for

the future. Let's face it, ladies and gentleman, the most important

thing isn't so much what I or even many of you feel would be good for

this country, it is very important that whatever we do, in this very

difficult debate, we make sure that we are doing things which allows

future generations, our children, our grandchildren, to have the

benefit and make the decisions for themselves in the future. Those of

you in the room who are as obsessed as I am with House of Cards will

know that tonight, the next season will be available for download. I

like to say that because I am the Chief Whip of the Conservative

delegation. Who knows what might happen going forward as we begin to

realise exacting what whipping means when you're going to make things

happen out in Europe. We do face some serious challenges out there.

I'm going to come onto though. Before I do that, let me talk

through what it is I do in Brussels. A number of people might wonder that

question. Well, I am my party's spokesman on fisheries. I am the

spokesman on energy and climate change. I also sit on the inquiry

committee that's investigating the deesel-gate scandal looking into

Volkswagen and its behaviour over its cheap devices. I say these

things because I am in the room and if you're not in the room, you're

not part of the deal. If you are not part of the deal, then you don't

have that influence. I want to say that very clearly. I say it clearly

because I'm struck quite often when I speak to colleagues from some of

the other political parties, who certainly in Scotland, will time and

time and time again blame Westminster or blame the Prime

Minister for his failures out in Brussels. I always take time to

remind the SNP that on many, many, many issues in the European

Parliament they are decided by core decision so that we in the

Parliament and council of ministers determine them together. Why is that

important? I'll tell you why it's important. That means that an MEP is

empowered to make the law. That means that you can amend the law,

for good or ill, and you can do that. It also means that the SNP and

their political group are part of that law-making process. Why do I

tell you that? Their political group is the Green group. Let that sink in

for a second. Their political group is the Green group. When we have

those farming negotiations or when we have those fishing negotiations,

in the room, negotiating on behalf of their group, representing

Scotland fishermen are people who would happily right now tie boats up

to the quayside. I remind them that every single time they say it's

something wrong with Westminster or something wrong with what's going on

down south. They are part of making the law. The fact that abdicate that

responsibility and give it to Green colleagues is a reminder they of how

little respect they have for those issues they deal with in Brussels.

That was the Conservative MEP, Ian dungeon there. Earlier -- Duncan

there. Earlier Brian met up with representatives from both sides of

the debate. A Big Debate here is the future of Britain's membership of

the European Union. Joined now by two candidates for the forth coming

elections to discuss that. Ross Thompson, thanks for joining us,

Adam Tompkins too. Ross you've taken the view that on balance Britain

should leave, why? I think that it's time that the UK took back powers

over the justice and welfare system and the borders. The best way to

secure that is by voting to leave the EU. That's going to be in our

interests. We can continue to work with our European partners. It opens

up opportunities to work with other across the globe. I can only see

up opportunities to work with other benefits coming from it. It's about

sovereignty then according to Ross. We already have sovereignty. It's

the law of the United Kingdom that the United Kingdom Parliament can

make and unmake any law whatsoever. The UK Supreme Court has made it

clear in recent cases if there's a conflict between the United Kingdom

legislation and eawe legislation, priority would be given to the

British legislation. Sovereignty means the power to choose. What

David Cameron successful negotiated means the power to choose. What

for the United Kingdom last month in Brussels was the power of Britain to

for the United Kingdom last month in choose which bits of the European

project suit us and which bits don't. That's what sovereignty is.

Are you impressed bit Prime Minister's -- by the Prime

Minister's dole? I am. When journalists first contacted me

saying what are you doing in June, I was undecided. I wanted to take the

time to read what David Cameron has achieved. It's a Hurricane Lean

effort. He's -- hurculean effort. But I don't see the changes as

irreversible. Our relationship with Europe has to be permanently

changed. I think that can only be with treaty change. We know that the

European Court makes decisions based on what is within treaties. You

think the integration of the European Union is rolling on and you

don't see this stopping it? I don't see this reversing any of the drive

towards closer union. I appreciate what the Prime Minister has said,

and the pleef that we'll be able to and the pleef that we'll be able to

-- belief that we will prevent that, and the pleef that we'll be able to

I don't see it. That's where we disagree. One of the core things

I don't see it. That's where we that the Prime Minister successfully

negotiated was uniquely amongst the 28 member states, with the unanimous

agreement of all 28 member states, ever closer union, will no longary

ply to the United Kingdom. This far, yes, but no further. We've never

been entirely sure how much of our sovereignty we've had to share by

virtue of our commitment to the European Union. Now we know. The

court of justice will never be able to decide cases against the United

Kingdom on the basis of ever closer union.

Now the economy and jobs. Those who support Brexit say those would be

keen to keep dealing with Britain. Yes but desperation doesn't mean a

trade deal can be negotiated quickly. It took seven years to

negotiate between the EU and the United States. Of course, Britain

would continue to trade with the EU even if we left. But the terms would

be more expensive and it would take even if we left. But the terms would

a long time. The Prime Minister argued there would be potential

tariff barriers. I think those who produce cheese and wine in France

and want to sell us Mercedes and BMW will continue to do that. For every

three pounds we sell to Europe, we buy back five pounds. There is a

huge market for European producers. We want to open up opportunities to

work with the rest of the world. The council in Aberdeen want to open

opportunities with Japan. Others within the European Union. The point

about trade with the European Union is not that we can only trade with

them, we trade with the whole of world. Half of British trade wis the

EU. The difference is the EU is still a political project and we

want to bring it back to what it was, trade and enhancing trade and

benefitting through trade. The EU as a political project is going in a

direction I don't think Britain can follow. We have an EU president and

an EU foreign policy Tzar and these things are not in Britain's

interest. So they're moving, you say Britain is no longer part of that,

interest. So they're moving, you say but the ever closer union is the

objective and Britain may be swept along with

objective and Britain may be swept and not for us. That is the new pick

and mix Europe. I agree with Ross, I don't want to be part of a European

superstate or a European army. But there is no danger of that. No

danger of that? That is why I backed leave. I don't see anything that is

irreversible in the UK could alter that. You never

irreversible in the UK could alter into government next. I hope this is

a once just as with independence. But I

think this is the opportunity to take back control and other states

survive out with the EU and we can do the same. Thank you both. Let's

stick with the referendum and John Curtice is with us. There are some

deep divisions in the Conservative Party. How can those two sides come

together again and even work together in the case of Iain Duncan

Smith and the Prime Minister? There is an issue there. The more fierce

the referendum debate gets, the more in particular as it were there are

arguments about the merits of people who are putting forward the

arguments, the more difficult it will be to come together after. But

the question Ruth Davidson must be asking herself is why is the Prime

Minister embarking on a referendum in which we know his party is

seriously divided, on which in fact probably almost undoubtedly the

Prime Minister himself is in a minority among his own party and

only has around a half of his Parliamentary party behind him and

where even in Scotland probably only 45% of those who vote Conservative

are on the same side as the Prime Minister. It is remarkable that

party leader should opt to choose to hold a referendum on this and for to

allow the campaign to cut across what is the biggest set of midterm

elections in the UK between now and the European elections. Remember it

is not just Scotland that goes to the poll in May, it is Wales,

Scotland and most of England and Wales in local or police and crime

commission elections. The divisions will be exposed. Ruth Davidson is

arguing to remain. Other counter part in Wales is campaigning to

leave. Zac Goldsmith is arguing for leave. The divisions will be exposed

during the campaign. The worry the Conservatives must have is that

having, we have had 12 months of in truth the Labour Party's divisions

being exposed widely, and they have done them no good in the opinion

polls. The worry for the Conservatives is whether or not

between now and May voters say to themselves, hang on, these

Conservatives are divided as well. They're arguing against each other.

Why should we vote for them? In Scotland in particular there is a

particular issue, which is that if indeed you are in favour of leaving

the EU and you want to reflect that view not just on June 23rd, but on

May 5th the only choose is to vote for Ukip, given Ruth Davidson's

position. The truth is most opinion polls suggest Ukip are going nowhere

north of the border. One poll has painted a very different picture.

But there must be a question mark as to whether or not some of those

voters who were otherwise thinking about voting for the Conservatives

will say, the Prime Minister is in favour of remain, how do I get my

views across? Maybe I should vote Ukip. When we hear the debates,

they're inpenetrable for a lot of people listening. The different

trade negotiations or border controller. Yes, they're complicated

arguments. You saw that session with both the Czech leader of the

European Parliament group and other serve MPs, they were having to

explain to people what they do. And there is no truth that Europe is an

enstugs, it is clear what this referendum will be about. You saw it

in the contribution from Liam Fox and the Prime Minister, the

principal argument for the leave campaigners is the question of

immigration and that we are concerned that for as long as we are

in the EU the United Kingdom will experience very high levels of

inward migration. The remain side are essentially going to focus on

the economic argument and to say are essentially going to focus on

only by remaining inside the EU can we protect our economic interest.

The decision for the voters is to decide which of the two arguments

they will go with. Most agree with leave on immigration, but most agree

with the Prime Minister on the leave on immigration, but most agree

economy. We are in the run up to Ruth Davidson's speech and we are

joined by Brian Taylor. We are discussing Europe. How long will she

spend on this on her speech? I think the bulk of her address will be

devoted to the elections in May, because of point John made, you

heard David Mundell say he hopes in practice the referendum campaign in

Scotland won't start until May 6th, after the elections. I think that

might be a vain hope. Because the European question is so gigantic and

such a large issue. Not saying the Holyrood elections are small, but

the European referendum for the whole UK is enormous. And it will

tend to be the area that is focussed on. The Conservatives are adamant

they can segment the two arguments and talk about the Scottish

elections and then invite people to consider the question of the

referendum. Finally on Europe, how as an issue has it dominated this

conference? No, I wouldn't say it has. It has been on the fringe in

the morning and at lunchtime and they had a session this afternoon

and we heard a couple of the lead speakers there. But they're as

concerned about the economy and other xhes and -- questions and

concerned about the economy and they're concerned about winning

seats in May. You have that problem of the dual focus on the referendum

and the election that may cause confusion in the voters' minds. The

Conservatives are adamant they can Coral opinion and take a different

perspective for the referendum in June. Thank you. We will will let

you take your seat. Ruth Davidson has been leader for five years, we

were discussing, she made an impact on the Conservatives, but still

maybe there is still that bedrock vote. Yes, two crucial points. Ruth

David sop was only first elected as a member of the Scottish Parliament

in 2011 and took on the leadership early in her career as a politician.

I think it is a remarkable tribute to her that she is regarded as an

authoritative, respected leader of the Conservative Party. And

particularly her debating skills came across well in the debates in

front of the 2015 UK general election and some viewers may have

#2340e9 issed in the hall -- noticed in the hall, one slogan is

something,... Strong leadership. So the Scottish Conservatives have

decided our brand may not be that good, but we think Ruth is a brand

we can sell. That is a tribute we can sell, when a party wants to

project them, rather than the broader image of the party. There is

no truth. That is a remarkable achievement for a relatively young,

relatively junior politician, who frankly is now commands the Scottish

Conservatives in a way no one has since the advent of devolution.

Annabel Goldie was respected and liked, but she had more difficulty

in taking the party in the direction she wanted to go in than Ruth

Davidson seems to have done. We are I think on the two minute count down

to her speech. Should we talk about health and wanting to protect health

spending in Scotland, doesn't sound a typical Tory policy. No, until you

remind yourself that the Conservative Party still does

relatively well among older voters, so we are seeing the Labour Party

and the Liberal Democrats in a sense say, actually, we want to raise more

in tax and what will we spend it on? Education. On the issue that

concerns younger voters. In contrast the Conservatives, it is

interesting, that her key, one of her key pitch bes is I want more

public spending, which is not usually the message from Ruth

Davidson. But the spend being she wants to focus is the health

service, which older people use the health service more and therefore it

is the issue of public services that most concerns older people. So there

is a sense she is playing a tune that is probably one that her target

audience is more likely to be find that is probably one that her target

happy with and perhaps we shouldn't be so surprised. As we heard, it

gives her a chance to attack the SNP. Yes, although of course as you

will have gathered from Brian's questioning of her, this is a

disputed area. The SNP argue when it comes to current spending to capital

spending they have passed on the Barnett consequentials. It will be

interesting to see... OK, I think we are, we have Ruth Davidson about to

appear before conference. There she is taking the applause from the

party members about to make her speech.

Thank you. Conference, four years ago, I stood for the leadership of

this party. I promised three things: That we would play our full part in

a successful referendum campaign. That we would go from our worst

result in 2011 to our best ever result in one Parliamentary term.

And that I'd bring forward the next generation of Scottish Conservatives

to take our party forward. Friends, we are doing all three. This

election will see a new start for our party - more votes, more MSPs

than ever before, more new faces and you've seen many of them speak

today. From business, from the professions, from charities and

health, from academia and education, the face of modern Scotland, but

united by a good, old-fashioned willingness to serve. To serve their

communities, to serve their party willingness to serve. To serve their

and most of all, to serve the country. I am proud of the team that

I am leading into this election and you should be too.

I am leading into this election and a high bar. As a young leader, I

I am leading into this election and experienced MSP group showing me

I am leading into this election and a bit like an old hand myself. I

thank each and every one of my retiring colleagues for their

service. For they have truly given us the platform on which this new

generation will build. Thank you. Thank you, all.

APPLAUSE But now is not a time to talk to

ourselves. It is But now is not a time to talk to

the country. And today, I want to speak very directly to people right

the country. And today, I want to across Scotland. I want to show that

the country. And today, I want to can speak for you, to show how every

cross, next to the Scottish Conservatives, is a vote that holds

the SNP to account, and which Conservatives, is a vote that holds

a clear message that we're done with the turmoil and the division of the

last few years, that we deserve a Government which focuses on the

things that matter to everyone, not just to them. It is time. It is

things that matter to everyone, not that Scotland had a strong

Opposition that's got what it takes to bring the SNP band wagon to a

halt. If that's what you want, then I ask for your vote. I promise to

serve you with every fibre of my being. You don't have to agree with

every word I say, you just have to want a Scotland to work better, to

believe that something needs to change. And if Scotland chooses not

to change the Government then it should consider changing the

Opposition and conference, we are ready to serve.

APPLAUSE Friends, this job has been the

privilege of my life. And throughout my tenure I've tried to do just one

thing - to show that this party, that our party is on the side of

working families in Scotland, that once again, we're a force in the

land, that we have ideas and plans and improvement, that we are

committed to making people's lives better, to making Scotland work

better. Together, I believe that we've achieved that over these last

four years. We saw it during the we've achieved that over these last

referendum campaign, when we were out every night speaking to our

neighbours, standing up for the country, a cause that we won. And

we've seen it in the months since, when we've led the way in creating a

new era for our Scottish Parliament, a remarkable achievement by our

brilliant Secretary of State, David Mundell. That same passion, that

energy, that vigour, I see it today in the faces that I can see in this

hall. Some of them are old, and I won't mention any names. And many

are new, who now want to join me in providing that strong Opposition

that our country so desperately needs. The Prime Minister mentioned

a few of those names in his tremendous speech this morning.

There are hundreds more, working every day for our party and country.

Put all of this together, and I believe that we are a party with a

fresh sense of purpose, a party that has worked hard, that has grown

together and that is committed to changing our country for the better,

not sitting on the bench, but working on the field, ready to take

on all comers. In the first few weeks of this campaign, my sense is

this: People across Scotland get that too. They've seen us in action.

They've seen us putting in the graft. They've seen us standing up

for the country that we love. And they've seen that the slurs and the

smears that our opponents throw at us don't ring true. Someone once

told me that there's two types of Tory. There's the bogey men that our

opponents tar us as and then there's the ones that you've actually met.

The people who are giving back to their community, optimistic,

believing in a better Scotland and not afried to put their -- afraid to

put their shoulder to the wheel to make it happen. Every other party in

Scotland believes in Government knows best. We believe people know

better. We want them to have every opportunity to get on in life. Men

and women of conviction, who believe that we draw strength from being a

united country, not a divided one. And the good news is, over this

time, I'm willing to bet, that more people have met a Conservative

campaigner in Scotland than at any other time in recent history. We

have knocked on enough doors, my friends. I have met every stripe of

the great Scottish voter and believe me, they do not give their vote

cheaply and nor should they. But I do think that they're measuring us

up, that they're listening to what we have to say, so let the message

go out - we are not cowed by our we have to say, so let the message

opponents. We're not lotting their lazy -- letting their lazy kicks go

unchal engedz. We're a party of principle. We are taking our message

to every corner of this land and asking people to let us do a job for

them. To let us be their voice. That's the difference these last few

years have made. I don't know about you, but I am proud to have been a

part of it. APPLAUSE

So, we have fought hard, won ground and we are back in the centre stage

of Scottish politics. As I've said already, we are on course this May

to record our best ever result in the history of the Scottish

Parliament. More MSPs, more supporters, the only pro-UK party in

Scotland that's on the up. We do that in May for a simple reason -

many people across Scotland, looking at the polls, are asking themselves

a question. In a country where one party dominates, who is going to

hold the SNP to account? Who is going to do the job that every good

democracy needs to offer a strong Opposition? Who is going to be the

voice that stands up for all those Scots who don't want to go back to

the division of the last few years? They want us to go forward together.

Who rejects the Nationalist view that the referendum wasn't a choice

made, just a decision depered. But who believe, as I do, that it was a

once in a generation event and who now want, as I want, to see Scotland

come back together again. My conviction is this: This is the

party that can offer that voice. It is people in this party, who aren't

prepared to shrug their shoulders, sit back and accept defeat, as

Labour seems ready to do, whose lost their fight along with their voters,

but who, instead, are prepared to show a bit of spirit. I keep being

told that Scotland is turning into a one-party state. Here's what I see.

Not while I'm here. Not while this party is prepared to stand up for

the majority of people right across Scotland who want to keep it a

united nation. APPLAUSE

At the core of everything that we do will be that founding belief, that

founding belief that our country, the country that we kept together

nearly 18 months ago, which still needs to be fought for, every hour,

every day and every week. We thought that the referendum was the end of

it. But what we have learned since is that they have no intention of

respecting that result. And it shouldn't surprise us. Dogs bark,

ducks quack and the SNP are for breaking up Britain. I have said

this time and again. We don't have to be here. Nicola Sturgeon can heal

the divisions in our country by simply repeating the words she

claimed before - once in a generation. Lord knows, I've

challenged her often enough to say them again, but she hasn't and she

won't. So for as long as there is one party still fighting to end the

United Kingdom, sometimes openly and sometimes by stealth, I will

continue our fight to keep our country together, not because I want

to be locked in an endless battle over our constitutional future, but

because, as things stand, the SNP remain a clear and present danger to

the stability and unity of the United Kingdom and because someone

has to make that stand. APPLAUSE

Labour and the Lib Dems care more about winning back votes and voters

that their parties have lost than standing up for the result that

their parties helped to win, the country, that they helped to keep

together. That's why quite incredibly, they've

together. That's why quite they'll both allow their supporters,

candidates and MSPs to campaign for independence if there was ever a

second referendum. It is naive independence if there was ever a

it is dangerous. Do Labour and the independence if there was ever a

the agenda? That she's going to walk away from a lifetime's work? Of

course not. We may have won the battle, but she

course not. We may have won the war and it's one

course not. We may have won the fight again and again. You only have

to look at how many so-called triggers the SNP threaten us with.

to look at how many so-called The union isn't optional. It's not

when you're dress operate for voters to be traded away at

when you're dress operate for voters -- desperate for voters. It's for

our lives, our children's lives and our grand children's future. I stand

for the stability ever Scotland within the United Kingdom and

against the SNP's renewed ambition to take us out of that union. I am

asking everyone in Scotland, who shares that belief to stand with me.

Because if we do, the prize that awaits us is great. I look back over

the last nine years of SNP Government and I see a string of

wasted opportunities. All the goodwill and the political capital

that could have been used to make our country better. So much of it

wasted on constitutional bickering and a divisive referendum. White

papers on independence, discussion and a divisive referendum. White

papers on devo max, grievance and a divisive referendum. White

on full fiscal autonomy. Conference, and a divisive referendum. White

I say a vote for me and my team and a divisive referendum. White

vote that stands and a divisive referendum. White

on getting this country flying again.

APPLAUSE It's a vote for a strong, effective,

united Opposition that will demand It's a vote for a strong, effective,

the Scottish Government is focussed on dealing with the issues that

matter to people - education, health, your family's finances, that

calls time on the hubris that challenges

calls time on the hubris that the bad laws. Bad law on offensive

behaviour at football, bad law on state guardians for your children,

bad law on the oversight of our single police force,

bad law on the oversight of our challenge. The truth is that it's

only us who can provide that challenge. It's

Liberal Democrats. The results of the general election showed

Liberal Democrats. The results of a wasted vote. If you live in

Glasgow or Edinburgh, mainland Highlands, in central Scotland or in

Glasgow or Edinburgh, mainland the west, you don't even have a Lib

Dem MSP. You haven't had one for five years. The party is too weak to

represent you at any Parliamentary level. What about Labour? I'm a

Democrat, even as a centre-right politician, I'm prepared to accept

that every country needs a centre left. But what has the UK ever done

to deserve Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party?

LAUGHTER I grew up watching Titans lead

Labour. Now I feel nostalgic for Ed Miliband.

LAUGHTER Actually, like many

Labour-supporting friends of mine, it makes me angry. This is a party

that is now led by a man who's happy to honour Irish terrorists while the

Troubles were still ongoing. It's a party led by a man that says our

nation's last line of defence should be submarines whose missiles are led

in the shed, a man who imports economic advisors from Greece. As a

second-rate manifesto for a student election, it might just about pass

muster. But as a prospeck Tuesday for the Government of our country,

it is dangerous and a copout. -- prospectus. We don't thank him

enough sometimes, but let's say thank you to David Cameron for

keeping this lot out of power and our country out of danger.

APPLAUSE What we've learned over the last year, friends, is that this

terrible affliction has spread. Corbynitis, a disease identified

last summer amongst the millionaire latte supping socialists of

Islington and Hampstead has spread first within London and then north,

and now finally to Scottish Labour. Everywhere, the tell-tale signs, the

party that once stood four square behind Britain's defences now voting

to end our nuclear deterrent on the Clyde and with it thousands of jobs.

Arm chair generals playing student politics is what the GMB called it.

I stand with our trade unions on that.

Itis, Now Scottish Labour's big idea - to take more money from every work

family and turn Scotland into the most highly thanked part of the UK.

That is not a plan for government, it is a panic-ridden plea for

attention. It is not credible. It is like the policy of a party that is

sinking with all hands lost. We don't know what to do to counter the

SNP, says Labour, so let's put up taxes. Like never before we ask

voters, take a look at us and I ask it in the full knowledge that the

SNP is streets ahead in the polls now. I'm not measuring up the

curtains for Butte I House yet. Even my optimism has a limit. But make no

mistake, on the 5th May your vote is vital. It will make a huge

difference to the way that our country is governed over the next

five years. A strong, principled, Scottish Conservative opposition

will set out a credible plan that will challenge the old orthodoxy and

let me explain how. First, the health service. I want to make it

clear there is a lot of nonsense spoken about the NHS. The truth is

the experience of most patients of the health service is a good one.

And it was certainly mine. Three weeks ago I was standing on a street

stall in Edinburgh when a man introduced himself. Retired, he was

a sur Jong at the -- surgeon at the sick kid's hospital. He was the man

who put me back together when aged five I was struck by a truck. His

application is the only reason I'm standing here and able to stand up

at all. I couldn't stop myself, 32 years on and I bundled him into a

hug and I'm not shurp it is the Edinburgh way, but I couldn't help

ourselves. That is how our patients feel about doctors and staff who

keep the show on the road and change people's lives when they're at their

most sick and vulnerable. My sister is an NHS doctor and I know how

amazing they are. But the pressures in general practice and recruitment

are getting more intense. There is no way around this. If we want to

maintain our nature toes the standards we expect, then increased

spending must be part of the solution. So we can announce today

spending must be part of the another key demand that we will make

of the new Scottish government. It is a fact not well known that

between 2010 and 2015 the SNP failed to keep up with spending increases

on the NHS. During that time, spending on health in England rose

by 7%. But only by 1% in Scotland. Hundreds of millions of pounds

promised but never delivered. At a time when the population is ageing

and demand is rising, the NHS needs our support. And that is why we

propose that the Scottish Goth backs a new NHS guarantee. Spending on our

health service should rise each year by whatever is highest, whether

inflation 2% or the extra funding from Westminster. Every single penny

passed on. That would mean that health spending was rising by more

than ?1 billion by the end of the decade. Conference, we need to care

for our NHS. The SNP has failed to do so over the last five years A

vote for me and my team will make sure they have to. APPLAUSE.

Conference, that can't be the whole story. Sensible changes that have

the backing of the men and women who work in the NHS must be part of the

equation too. So let's take one example, hospital charges. Currently

there are no fewer than 40 targets that our nature is -- NHS is obliged

to meet. Some are now damaging clinical care and hampering the

treatment of patients. When do thirds of senior hospital doctors

say the managerial agenda is getting in the way of them doing their job,

you have to act. So here is what I'm proposing, let's have a full review

of every one of the the 40 centrally set targets and set a test, every

target helps more people survive and get better, then it should be kept.

If it is simply micromanaging get better, then it should be kept.

and pulls people from get better, then it should be kept.

patients, it should be ditched. get better, then it should be kept.

is the kind of debate we need. I make

is the kind of debate we need. I government, let's get

is the kind of debate we need. I and agree a cross party

is the kind of debate we need. I right we will make sure we

contribute to better government too. If the NHS needs a check-up, then so

do our schools. Scotland as a nation has always understood that our

future is linked to the education of our children. That for too many the

ladder of opportunity is missing the most important rungs. It is not that

the education system is poor, but my worry is we have settled into being

stiflingly satisfactory when we should be striving for the best. It

is important to acknowledge where things are going well. But we should

haven't to accept a Scotland where only one in three S2 pupils can't

count to the standard they should. Or a Scotland where you're more

likely to be As if you come from an affluence background than a poor

one. And we have 152,000 fewer places for students to take up in

Scotland. We have to aspire to better. And it all boils down to

leadership. I took part in a debate where two schools were compared. St

Andrews in Scotland and one in London. What came through was this.

What made both schools great was that they both had great head

teachers. So I want a system that develops new leaders and ensures we

learn from their example. Now, only a tiny fraction of Scotland's

teachers have any wish to go on and be a head. Dozens of posts remain

unfilled. We need the leaders of our future to know they can make the

maximum difference when they get into power. That means real respond,

that means handing control over budgets and recruitment and the

funding of the new Scottish attainment challenge to heads. It

means buddying the best and worst performing schools to help spread

best practice and putting focus on literacy and numeracy so by eleven

every child can read well. It means, literacy and numeracy so by eleven

proper testing and an independent inspection regime not an education

body in charge of marking its own homework. The change I want to see

isn't handed down from politicians, but is driven from within each

school and it is recognised and tracked. That means government

setting the framework, but then giving over control to the people on

the ground, the teachers and the school leaders who believe that

every child can suck shed. -- succeed. I couldn't care less

whether they're called free schools or academies or comprehensive, but

we need to ditch the dogma and give school leaders the powers and tools

to achieve. Let's act. More power to school leaders a properly funded

health service. Letting doctors and nurses get on with their jobs, not

filling out forms. Those are some of my priorities for action. This is

the kind of opposition they would lead. Constructive, competent,

credible. Focussed and disciplined and with a new team drawn from every

walk of life that brings their experience into the Parliament and

raises the level of debate. An opposition that will hold the SNP

the account and will deliver better government for Scotland. And of

course, now that huge financial powers are coming to Parliament, no

opposition party can demand action without saying how they pay for it.

For two years, I have made the case for a more responsible Scottish

Parliament. One that doesn't think how to spend money, but has to

consider how that money is raised too. I'm pleased that it is our

Conservative team that has made good on its promise to do that, by

pushing through the new Scotland Bill. This party when we say we are

going to do something, we do it. In our manifesto in April, I will stet

out in detail how we want future Scottish governments to act. But let

me mabgt two things clear -- make do things clear. First, there is no

justification, none, for demanding a higher tax burden on Scottish

families than there is on people elsewhere in the UK. APPLAUSE. You

might as well hang a sign that says Scotland is closed for business. And

I don't say that out of ideology, but out of common-sense. If that

were to happen, and Scotland was the highest taxed part of the UK, what

do the SNP, Labour and the Liberal Democrats think will happen? Will it

encourage a new business to choose Glasgow over Manchester? Is it going

to entice an academic who has been offered a job in Edinburgh or

Birmingham to choose to bring her family hire. Maybe whack up taxes

will increase the tax take to the Treasury in London, but not to

Holyrood. It will just encourage people to move south of the border.

The Scottish Labour leader said how much would a tax hike bring n she

said it could bring in zero. So stop your sick fan tick, morally superior

preening and think of your country. We need a strategy to attract the

brightest and best to stay here and to come here. The thing at -- sign

at the border shouldn't say give us your money, it should read we

welcome your business. That is the message I want Scotland to send out

to the rest of the world. So can I guarantee this, to every voter,

every Scottish Conservative MSP who is elected in May will go into bat

against tax rises. If we have our way, the right hand side of your pay

check will remain protected and instead focus on how we have a

government that builds jobs, encourages enterprise and has a can

do vision. But I also say this, our MSPs under me will also make the

case for a moderate and balanced government. One that has what is

required to underwrite our quality of life. So here is my view.

Friends, I would like nothing more to stand before you today and

announce which should cut income tax tomorrow to below the rest of the

UK. As the Labour Party keeps pretending is revelation, I'm a Tory

and I believe in less government and less tax. But as the commission

said, the tax cuts have to be affordable. We can cut tax in

Scotland, but over the medium term, but if we are going to cut tax rates

in Scotland, I believe that we as a nation need to earn it first. And

the truth is we haven't done that yet. So I'm left with a judgment and

right here right now, when spending limits are still tough, and public

services like our NHS and our education system need support, I

don't believe that the time is ligh education system need support, I

right for a short-term tax cut below that of the UK. That is my judgment

that we will have a fair deal to protect people against tax rises. I

can you for your support today. So friends, my message I is simple.

Support me and I will do a job for you. A vote for me and my team is a

vote to say no to a second independence referendum and to get

the SNP to focus instead on running the country. After the division of

the last few years, we need a government that is 100% dedicated to

the issues that affect us each day. government that is 100% dedicated to

Better schools, improving our health service and building a more secure

country. We need to bring Scotland back together again. But without a

strong opposition in Holyrood to keep them honest, the SNP will just

take us right back to the ballot box and they're threatening it already.

So vote for me and my team and I will lead a credible and competent

opposition, forcing better government and focussed on the

issues that matter. We don't are that credible opposition. Labour's

has had its chance and failed in nine years it has not laid a glove

on the nationalists. So I will continue to stand up proudly for the

millions of Scots who want our country to work better. For the

government to serve the people. And not the other way around and who

want to halt the bad laws which make our country worse and who want to

build a better future at every stage of our pupils' education and want to

build a better future at every stage proclaim that Scotland is open for

business and we are the best place in the world to work, to learn to

live and to stay. And together we can make this happen. Friends, we

have 62 days until the polls open. 62 days to speak our truth, 62 days

to take our message to every house, every street and village and town in

Scotland. If you want a strong opposition, an SNP that is held to

account, protection for your pay pact, Scotland safe in the UK and

open for business and then the Conservatives are for you. Let us be

your voice and show your strength and build a better Scotland. These

are my pledges to the country. This is my promise to your family and

that is the job that I will do for is my promise to your family and

you and will not let you down. Thank you.

APPLAUSE STUDIO: Ruth Davidson the Scottish

APPLAUSE Conservative party leader, taking

the applause at her Spring Conference. She was saying it's time

to speak to the country, she wanted a new start for the party to bring

the SNP band wagon it a halt. She said they're ready to serve. They're

the SNP band wagon it a halt. She a party with a fresh sense of

purpose. There she is with the Scottish Secretary. She said that

Scotland won't turn into a one-party state and criticise the the Lib Dems

and Labour, like never before, she wanted voters to take a fresh look

at them. There's the audience members. I'm joined by Professor

John Curtis here. Interesting policy points as well, protecting health

budgets, devolving powers, she might look at tax cuts in the future but

not now. The policy detail was interesting. It's interesting

because of the wider framing of the speech in which it's located.

Beginning of the speech we heard most of it before essentially saying

look, I know the SNP have the people who voted independence still wanting

to back it. I am willing to stand as the party that believes in the

union. I think that we are the party of the union in the way that neither

Labour nor the Liberal Democrats are and given the weaknesses of the

Labour Party, we think we can provide Scotland with a more

effective Opposition. What I think we've learned from this speech is

that Ruth Davidson has decided that if she is going to succeed in

getting unionists, by which I mean those who voted no in the

independence referendum to vote for her, it's no good simply to sing

traditional Tory tunes, after all, in effect, she is trying to win

over, for the most part, people who have been voting for the Labour

Party in Scotland but who still believe in the union. This is a

speech which marks Ruth Davidson moving towards the centre of

Scottish politics. For example, on education, yes she emphasised... She

didn't mention getting schools out of local authority control. She said

I don't think this really matters. Observing, the crucial pass odge on

tax, we won't -- passage on tax, we won't increase tax, but by the way I

don't think we can reduce it either. That's a change in tune. The word

used most often was "better". In part she's trying to say to people,

we think can provide competent Opposition. We have good ideas. This

is very much a message of the centre, rather than the traditional

Ruth Davidson of the politician of the centre right. I think that Ruth

Davidson has realised that just on its own saying we could beat the

Labour Party, saying look, we really stand up for the union, on its own

it's not enough. She has to persuade voters who believe in the union, but

it's not enough. She has to persuade who are not necessarily as

right-wing as her that actually the Conservative Party would be pursuing

an agenda that they would not be uncomfortable with. Thanks very much

for that. Back with you in a moment. We can now go back to Brian Taylor

at Murrayfield who's joined by party members.

Joined by quite a few party members, three will be talking with me and

dozens in the back Gordon Browned three will be talking with me and

who will be joining us in -- background, who will join us in a

different way. Thanks very much for joining me. What did you make of the

speech? She's pitching to be the Opposition party, but not Opposition

in Holyrood not measuring up the curtains yet, realistic or pitching

it too low? No I think it's entirely realistic. There's been an ecstatic

atmosphere today at conference. That's been reflective of how we're

performing buoyantly in the polls over the last while. Ruth Davidson

has presented a team which is the cross-section of Scotland,

candidates brought in council estates, from academia, from all

walks of life. They're here representing a large section of the

Scottish demographic, who've been abandoned by the other parties. You

have Labour and the Liberal Democrats who've abandoned unionism

to follow the Scottish National Party. We stand firm, representing

the two million people who voted no, along - How can you say that? They

will have voted for Labour, Liberal Democrats, Ukip, you know and some

SNP. You want all of that side? The Liberal Democrats and Labour Party

were for unionism, but now they don't. First of all, generally what

due make of the speech? I think Ruth Davidson was pitching the fact that

she is the only credible Opposition leader. She's talking about things

that matter to people, defending our United Kingdom, you know, keeping

taxes low, standing behind working families. What we hear from the rest

is they're all pitching up with high tax, high spending proposals. Rouge

is saying, look, we need to keep within our means, keep the economy

growing. She's a leader for the Opposition to the SNP. That's what

make her special. Ruth Davidson is a fantasticy different Scottish

Conservative. She's the only leader that hold Nicola Sturgeon and the

SNP to account in the Parliament. The Opposition are nowhere to be

seen. The SNP government have failed over health care, education, farming

and where are the Labour Party? We need Ruth Davidson and the Scottish

Conservatives as the Opposition party in this election. Let's pick

up a couple of the points that you raised there, tax first of all.

Would it not have been bolder, more eye catching to say that the

Conservatives are offering a tax cut in Scotland? The They may offer a

tax cut when the conmay Laos that. But at the moment -- when the

economy allows us to do that. We want a level playing field. We don't

want to discourage business to Scotland. It's important that the

want to discourage business to tax rate stays as is. That's a

winning formula? Would it not have been more grabby to offer the tax

cut? Absolutely, there's very few doors I knock where someone says,

please, please, raise my taxes. People say, I'm willing to pay a bit

more, but I want it to be spent well first. What Ruth is saying is let's

get the house in order first and let's keep that tax fairly balanced

rather than proposals - If folk are willing to pay a bit more, does that

not mean the Labour and Liberal willing to pay a bit more, does that

Democrat arguments are swaying them? But they don't want reform. They

want to have the same approach with named pensioned and state guardians.

They backed the SNP on prescription charges. The Scottish Conservatives

are looking at a different model. We're saying that let's keep the tax

where it is, compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. At the end of

the day, one thing that will damage Scotland more than anything is if

we're seen as the high tax part of the United Kingdom. That's not good

we're seen as the high tax part of for people or for business. Ian, the

Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats, who are currently

advocating a tax increase, the SNP position yet to emerge, they're

doing this to invest in education, to improve Scotland, to give

Scotland a better opportunity and better prospects. I think there's

definitely an issue with education to be addressed. We've seen numeracy

and literacy rates amongst working class children fall under the

current administration. Despite they'd advocate higher taxation they

current administration. Despite haven't been able to prove that.

There's an issue of where to spend the money. What about the other

question that raised by Ruth Davidson, higher expenditure on the

Health Service. Is that credible when the money coming down from the

Chancellor in the next budget is likely to confirm further spending

constraint? It's about readdressing the balance of where the money's

spent in the Scottish Parliament. We've seen the SNP freighter away

?180 million on a new computer system to give farmers their

payments, which doesn't work. The Scottish Conservatives would manage

payments, which doesn't work. The their finances responsibly, we

wouldn't have wastage like that. Presumably, Kyle, if extra money is

to go to health, that means constraint in other parts of the

budget? It means we have to spend well. Health's a good example. The

SNP say they're pro-the NHS, in Conservative-run England spending

went up 4. 4% since the coalition and then the Conservatives came in.

In Scotland in that period it fell by 1%. The SNP say that's not

comparing like with like, on day-to-day spending they have

maintained their pledge. No, it's just that the figures don't lie.

Spending has fallen and they haven't, regardless of anything,

they haven't passed on the money they've gotten from the UK

Government for the Health Service. They decided to spend it other ways.

That's fine. But we're saying let's back the National Health Service and

give it the money that needs. Not only is spending decreasing,

dropping on the National Health Service, pressure is increasing. The

SNP Government are Service, pressure is increasing. The

putting targets on the Health Service which is completely

unattainable. They're not giving it enough investment and resources to

carry that out. It is just creating a service with low morale which is

the same across our education service and our Police Service as

well. Another topic, it was debated at conference and at the fringe, a

gigantic issue for Scotland, the UK and for your party, the future of

the European Union. I'm actually not sure where you stand. I should have

checked before. The European Union is

checked before. The European Union to make. It is based on our own

personal opinion. We might look at it from a social point of view,

economic point of view, international security, my focus is

to ensure that we return the highest number of MSPs to the Scottish

Parliament. I will be focussing on campaigning for this Scottish

election and post May 5 is when I'll make that decision the way I will

vote. For now uncertain? Undecided. Undecided, as well. The inside

obviously, it's better the devil Undecided, as well. The inside

know, but I think the leave side could still capture my

know, but I think the leave side others. They've not set out their

plans, not set out what a post-EU Britain would look like. That's

really important. Can you campaign for the elections on May 5, when you

have this gigantic issue that's going to be there the entire time as

well? Absolutely. The talk of the conference has been

well? Absolutely. The talk of the campaigning to get Ruth Davidson and

her campaigning to get Ruth Davidson and

people can campaign whatever way they want. The voters are thinking

about Europe all the time now. Our job is to

about Europe all the time now. Our more important. With eneed

about Europe all the time now. Our the SNP held to account. Then vote

on the referendum. It's not politicians, it's the people who

decide the referendum. What's your stance on Europe? I'm very much of

the persuasion that it's time for Britain to leave the European Union.

Why is that? For me, there are two Australianed amountal issues -- two

fundamental issues. Any nation should have the right to forge its

own free trade agreements with other nations across the world. Unlike

other European nations I don't think Britain needs to bury its Twentieth

Century past in the ground. There's an opportunity there to engage with

Britain's history. The second thing is that, you know, a sovereign

nation should have the right to control her own borders, to decide

who can enter their country and to judge that based on the skills

shortages present at that tie. How do you think, fiebl yes, the same --

final question. Can you campaign for May 5 or will that overarching

question of the European referendum dominate? The Conservatives came to

power last May in Westminster Based on the premise that they would offer