24/03/2012 Scottish Conservative Party Conference

Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to our live coverage of the

Scottish Conservatives' conference in Troon. The party faithful are

gathering in the courtroom. We will hear from Ruth Davidson making her

first conference speech as leader. She would say there will be no

compromise with the SNP in the battle to keep the union. With me

in the studio is Professor John Curtice and our man beside the

seaside is Brian Taylor, our political editor. Thank you for

joining me. This is Ruth Davidson's maiden speech to conference. I

suppose we are expecting a stout defence of the union again. I think

we are. She has picked a lovely place for it. That is Troon harbour,

we have planes flying above and bobbies on bikes. We've even got

police horses but in terms of transport, the path ahead for Ruth

Davidson is definitely Scotland staying within the Union. Thank you

very much. John Curtice, 12 months ago, Ruth Davidson didn't even know

she was going to be elected as an MSP and now she is speaking to the

conference. It has been a major effect rise. F -- a meteoric rise.

The financial allegations made to the person who was number one long

does the's list, it meant Rees became a number one and became a

elected leader. The other thing we are looking for his have defect --

her defence of the union but also her road map for the party is

Gordon. What does she regard her as her priorities? She is quite a

radical right-wing politician. She has some very clear views that

Scotland's public services should be delivered a very different from

the way they are at the moment. True might be used to tourists but

this weekend, the Tories had descended. They have turned up to

hear the Prime Minister launched a robust defence of his party's

values and argued it was time to take the fight to the nationalists.

Their share is synonymous with Gulf, often a frustrating sport, not

unlike politics. One day, you can't miss, the next, nothing goes down.

For the Tories, the last few elections have seen few successes

so time to change technique. One person certainly thinks so. Let's

be frank, we aren't will be one to be in Scotland. We are nowhere near

it. There are those who think this is just a fact of life, that a

small Conservative presence north of the border is inevitable. I am

resolutely not one of those people. I am here today to argue that this

could be Alamo rent. If we are bold enough to come back stronger. --

this could be Alamo and. This is a nation founded on thrift and graft,

paying your way,. There is a profound belief in personal

responsibility. And there is a passionate belief in family,

community and country. For Conservatives looking at these

qualities, looking at these values, it is like booking in the mirror.

They hour -- they are our qualities and our values. He said they could

be proud of their message. More conservative. The time for timidity

is over. Enough of the hand- wringing and trying to be all

things to all people. Let's be clear about what we stand for and

what we won't put up with. suggested the Conservatives could

help their party by saving the union. We have led the SNP claimed

ownership of patriotism. But it is the symbol of a nation, not one

political party. You can be even prouder of your Scottish heritage

as of yore British heritage as many in Scotland up and still believe

that Scotland is better off in Britain. But he won't leave -- lead

the Conservative campaign. The one and only Annabel Goldie. Thank

goodness we have found something for the old bird to do! I have to

tell you, ladies and gentlemen, there is no will to which I would

more readily put my shoulder and to keeping a school -- a strong

Scotland within a strong Britain. Also lending their shoulders, a

line-up of lords and ladies, friends of the Union. All of us,

Scottish, English, Northern Irish and Welsh, we need to show just

what this relationship means to us. And that Scotland is better off in

Britain and Britain is better off in Scotland. By driving through a

programme of separatism, saying we have to drag Scotland out and say

the Scottish identity into a place by ourselves, you are doing

violence to part of the identity of every Scotsman's. There is a

British component in the identity of every Scotsman and two separate

that or to try and bring about separation is to do violence to

people's own sense of identity and this is not a good thing to do in

any event. Controversial talk from the winner of a noble Pre's prize.

-- a Nobel Peace Prize. Here, they used to make gun boats so it is a

fitting location for a party who says it is ready for the fight of

the future. It is one thing all this rhetoric, they still have an

awful lot of work to do to sweeten Let's go back to Professor John

Curtice from Strathclyde University and Brian Taylor beside the seaside.

Brian, some of the Tory press this morning were saying that the Prime

Minister gave the Tories quite a chiding because he was saying stop

the hand-wringing and stop the timidity. What is your assessment

of the speech? No, not a chiding butts and exultation. I think it is

keeping with the approach that Ruth Davidson take. I believe that she

was encouraging him down that path. The path of saying that she, as a

young leader, does not remember Margaret Thatcher being in office.

It is time for the party and the Scot and, basically, to get over

that period and to think in a different way. I also agree with

John Kerr it is about the approach she would take two policies. I

think she would say that should there be substantial tax powers,

once those tax powers of through and in place for the Scottish

Parliament, she will be in favour of cutting income tax in Scotland.

If you think that the logic of the Conservative position it is only

with substantial powers in the Scottish Power's, Ace of sexual

ground upon which to play that you can credibly -- a substantial

ground on which to play that you can credibly argue for lowering tax.

This was the big appeal, trying to attract Scots who might be

interested in the centre right policies, but they just can't reach

out and get the support, can they? They can't. I think the Prime

Minister's prescription was very good. It is often argued that

Scotland is so much more left-wing than England and this is the reason

why the Conservatives can't prosper. But the truth is it is something of

a myth. If the look at opinion surveys, Scotland is a little bit

more left-wing than Scotland but only have a bit more, about 5% more.

However, the problem for the Conservatives is that even those

who are on the Centre Right and the right in Scotland are much less

willing to vote for the party north of the border than there are south

of the border. The reason seems to be because those who indeed

primarily feel Scottish, those who wanted a Scottish Parliament that

is strong, for the moment, they eschew the Scottish Conservative

Party. I think the challenge for Ruth Davidson is that if she wants

to defend the Union on the one hand and be sceptical about more power

to Scottish Parliament but at the same time wanting to attract people

on the Centre Right, is can she bring those two things together.

The position on the union and their perception of being an England

party seems to cuts across. That sounds like a difficult balance to

strike. Can a parties campaign to fight for the union means they will

attract more support? What the are trained to do, they have declined

over an extended prolonged period because they were seen increasingly

as being other than Scots, they were seen as primarily an English

party. It was complete therefore best prospects in Scotland. They

were brandishing patriotism, a branch in the Union flag. They

picked the wrong patriotism. Or the Prime Minister was saying is stress

the Scottishness and argue from the union but argue from a very much

Scottish position. And the PM also said that he seems to argue that

the campaign for the union, it will invigorate the Tories themselves.

He believes as a consequence of that, with that reinvigoration,

they can start campaigning on issues like the economy and society

and perhaps then, they can reach out to Scottish people. In other

words, you have to get past the obstacle of being seen as other

than a Scottish party and then perhaps, you'll get a hearing for

the other issues that the Prime Minister was arguing should be

advanced. Now, a debate on the constitution is going on in the

hall in Troon. Let's cross live there and listen in. As part of

this partnership, we are the 7th wealthiest nation on earth. We can

play a major role in the future developments of mankind on a global

stage and also, even with one of the worst global recessions ever

and 13 years of Labour rule, we are still in a position to look to

prosper and grow. In short, we are stronger together and weaker apart.

That is why we all need to go out from this hall today and make that

positive case for the union and continue our pledge for a

resounding and unwavering support Thank you. I would like to ask Paul

bordering -- Paul Gordon from the British Conservatives in Madrid and

Alex Fergusson SNP to speak. Thank you. I spoke before. I will come

back on. I would just like to support the words given up by our

colleague from Renfrewshire. I really think we have to cut Alex

Salmond down to size. We cannot underestimate what he is trying to

do. It is a real, real campaign based on lies and manipulation. He

is trying to brainwash the Scottish people and he's a very canny and

shrewd man. I met him years ago at a debate when he was a lot thinner

and I was as well. And he really caught my attention because he does

have a lot of political capacity. We must not underestimate him or

his stooges, to use that word, the apostles of division and hatred,

this is really sad. When I am asked about this in Spain by Spanish

people, they ask me, what is happening in your country? Has

Scotland been, has it had such a bad deal out of Great Britain? They

are really quite surprised. Spain is going down a similar story, of

course. And for that reason, as Mr Stevenson said, the Spanish

government is looking at this story with great preoccupation because

Catalonia and the Basque country are in a similar situation, if not

even worse. And I would like just to say that we must cut Alex

Salmond down to size. We live in a democracy and we cannot allow him

to spend taxpayers' money as if it was bred falling from heaven. He

must be cut down to size. One of the debates. We will be going back

to that shortly when the Home Secretary Theresa May will be

speaking. Yesterday, the Prime Minister gave a rallying call to

the faithful in the party and said he will fight for the party with

everything they have. The speech began with an admission that it

wasn't always been easy being a conservative in Scotland. We walk

taller, we shout loud together. That is why I say not only can you

love Scotland and love the United Kingdom, not only can you drive

yourself in both flags, but let me say this, you can be even prouder

of your Scottish Heritage then you're British heritage, as many in

Britain are, and still believe that Scotland is better off in Britain.

All of this is why this Prime Minister and his party is going to

fight for the United Kingdom with So I am eager that the hold of that

debate, we put that question, we make that decision. But do you know

the big roadblock standing in the way of this referendum? It is the

man who has been calling for it for decades! At the last election, Alex

Salmond asked for a mandate for a vote on independence. He won that

election, he got back mandate, I have offered him his referendum,

but now he will not take it. What on earth is going on? First he

wanted a referendum in 2010, now he says he needs 1000 days. First he

said he wanted one question, now he is after two. Now he is talking

about Deval Max Audie vote Plus, soon it will be due for the sequel.

I thought we were meant to be watching the movie Braveheart, it

turned out it is a chicken run! APPLAUSE. What is he waiting for?

He says he wants to know when a more devolved powers are on the

table. But no one can appear at -- accuse me of being pragmatic --

dogmatic. In the Scottish bill, we have a huge transfer of fiscal

powers. Indeed, the proportion of the budget that can be raised in

Scotland by more than double. This week, we have reached agreement

with the Scottish Government on further issues they wanted

reflected in the bill. So this is a bill, delivered in Westminster by a

Conservative prime minister, supported by the Scottish

Government, consented to by the Scottish Parliament, I promised

respect and that is exactly what we are giving. Scotland's two

governments and to parliaments working together. Beyond this, I am

open-minded about the transfer of more powers, as long as those

powers are truly about improving the lives of people in Scotland and

not just bargaining chips in some endless game of constitutional

poker. APPLAUSE. But all of these are principally questions for after

the referendum. The people of Scotland were promised at a clear

choice. Yes or no. In or out of the United Kingdom. And that is exactly

the clarity they should get. Delay creates uncertainty, for businesses,

investors, families. People need to know one way or the other. So why

message to the First Minister is this: stop dithering and start

delivering. Let us give the Scottish people the chance to make

a clear choice about their future. APPLAUSE. In that campaign, I want

us to demonstrate that this is a party with a proud, patriotic

message. Scottish and British. But our long-term future depends on

much more than that. It depends on showing how our values canned make

for the values of Scotland. I see no reason at all why a party that

is moderate, sensible, centre right, cannot represent millions of people

in Scotland. This is a nation founded on the virtues of thrift

and graft. Of paying your way and not running up debts. There is a

profound belief in personal responsibility that its Scottish

workers through the snow and into work on a winter morning. There is

that buccaneering spirit. There is that passionate belief in family,

community and country. For Conservatives looking at these

qualities, looking at these values, it is like looking in the mirror.

The art are qualities, our values. Yet let us face it, that is not how

many Scots think of our party. The pensioner in Yorkshire at votes

Conservative because he or she knows we will look after every

pound of taxpayers' money. But too often, the pensioner in Perthshire

with with the same belief in sound money, rejects us. The entrepreneur

in Birmingham backs us because we believe in lower taxes in

enterprise, but no one in Glasgow does not always do the same. The

mother in Suffolk likes our focus on building a strong, safe society

where built -- children are brought up with the right values. So does

the mother in an this, but still there is something holding her back

in the ballot box. Some would say it is always going to be like this

so just get used to it. Icy it is time that we stood up even more

strongly, -- I say it is time that we stood up more strongly for those

values we believe in. When you make a strong argument, people listen.

Those who agree will follow your lead. That is what we have done on

the question of the Union. For years, we shied away from the

subject, afraid of saying anything, worried it would be taken the wrong

way. No way, the Conservatives, are the ones on the front foot, asking

for the referendum, looking for that challenge. And although we are

just at the start of this journey, people are beginning to listen to

us. We needed to show the same fight right across the board on all

of the issues that really matter to the Scottish people. The economy

the work and, the opportunities for their children, the society 11.

People in Scotland deserve a real choice about these things, and that

should include sensible, practical, centre right ideas. And that can

only come from us. The time of timidity is over. Enough of trying

to be all things to all people. Let us be clear about what we stand for

and what we will not put up with. Let us take for instance our

message about fiscal responsibility out to this country. This is a

nation with prudence in its blood. Every sensible Scot knows that we

have to live within our means. The knows that there are no shortcuts

to get out of the mess we are run. Labour and the SNP are trying to

tap into this mood. They are beginning to talk the language of

austerity. But Askew, have you heard anyone from Labour or the s

MP ever asking for a sensible cut in anything? We have had the Celtic

Lion, the art of prosperity, but nothing about how we can live

within our means. So we have to be clear to the Scottish people. If

you care about dealing with the deficit, if you care about not

handing on debts to your children, there is only one party on your

wavelength and that is us, the Scottish Conservatives. APPLAUSE.

So let this be a challenge. Not just in the run-up to these

elections but in the months and years beyond. To reach out and send

out a rallying cry across Scotland seeing-to parents, who fear leaving

a legacy of debt to the next generation, we feel it too. You

have a home with us. To the young web entrepreneur who is desperate

to make money and to new jobs, we are behind you. You have a home

with us. To the pensioner who believes that a duty and decency

other pillars of our communal life, you have a home with us. To the

doctor, nurse, a teacher who want to have more say it on -- in what

happens in the ward or the classroom, you have a home with us.

To everyone who wants more control over their lives and to

neighbourhoods, you have a home with us. To everyone who knows that

this is a great country but we have to work harder to make it greater

still, and to everyone who loves Scotland but loves the UK as well

for everything it can be in the future, come with us, join us, you

have a home with us. APPLES. That was the prime minister

speaking yesterday. Let us go back to Brian in Troon.

It is getting sunnier by the second. It is absolutely gorgeous. Three

Conservative activists have joined me. He is saying enough of the

hand-wringing. Do you empathise with that? David Cameron made a

really great point about the strength of the Union in his speech.

That was great for everyone to see. He made a really good points about

why we need to keep Great Britain together. This point he is making

about standing up for conservatism, does that go with you? Absolutely.

There is no doubt that anyone who heard his speech yesterday knows

how passionate he is about keeping Scotland in the Union. But saying

it in that fashion, saying that if you are going to be a Tory, stop

apologising for it, does that echo what you? Yes. I think it is

important in Scotland for us to stand up for the principles we

believe them and to take those principles and positive stances and

create something people want to vote for. We have a great story to

tell and David Cameron put it across very well. One part was a

passionate defence of the Union and the second part was the things we

are doing, we have that Conservative Prime Minister and we

have just taken 2 million of the lowest pay two people out of income

tax. My apologies. We're going back into the conference will for

Theresa May. -- conference hall.

Thank you very much. It is a real privilege to be able to join you

hear in Troon today. What a beautiful town it is. So typically

Scottish. I heard I hear hear it from over their! Stunning coastline,

friendly people and of course, a famous golf course. In so many ways,

it represents all that is special about Scotland. Whenever I visit

Scotland, I am reminded of the fighting spirit of the Scots. It is

indeed across the globe. You might have noticed that I am not Scottish.

But I have often observed how you receive a warm welcome wherever you

travel. It is one of many things to be proud of. And it is reciprocated.

When people visit the vibrant cities and put his gown at --

pretty towns, the spiritual Islands of this great country, a country

admired across the world, indeed, how many people abroad who have not

even visited the shorts would like to claim roots in Scotland? Your

country and its people are loved and admired and everyone wants to

be part of it. But the Scotland Bill of is part of a bigger hole. -

- the Scotland they love is part of a bigger hole. And I am here today

to talk about why it should stay that way. I want Scotland to be

part of the United Kingdom. I believe in the Union. APPLAUSE.

shared past, centuries of being together, the union for all its

history of up Sundowns is to be cherished. I have no doubt that

Scotland could survive outside the United Kingdom, but together we are

stronger. Stronger on the world stage, stronger in protecting our

sovereignty in Europe, stomping -- stronger in our own communities and

stronger for recognising this. I am pleased to have this opportunity to

talk to you about the work I do and how it operates within the union

and why I believe that continued success is tied to the union. As

Home Secretary, I see every day how we work together for the good of us

all. Assured intent that unite us. Working together to protect our

borders, working together, protecting the country from those

who would seek to do us harm. I also want to talk to you today

about some of the myths that the SNP would have people believe.

Under what to start some debate over issues like Europe, a debate

that the SNP does not want you to have. I will not pretend that our

party is the most popular in Scotland. I will not pretend that

we do not have some way to go in asking Scotland to trust us again.

But we ought to look to the future and the uncertainty of the union

demands that we must. I believe that each and every woman and man

in this room has a part to play in started to make good progress.

There have been changes to the party in Scotland, of which we can

be proud. Your leader, at this Davidson, is a fresh talent. --

Ruth Davidson. We have had -- we have seen gross in party membership

under her leadership. The new campaign will continue to yield

more to read the year. She has already become a powerful voice in

Scotland, making the arguments with passion and purpose. My friend

Annabel Goldie did so much for our party for so long and continues to

It is something of an understatement to say that you are

a tough act to follow. But Ruth is following in her own way with her

own style. She has hit the ground running in modernising the party,

said in a policy reviews and bringing people together. The

issues she faces as leader are not small as the party heads into local

government elections but under her leadership, I'm believe we are

making good progress. Like everyone in this room, she understands the

strength that comes from the union. Yesterday, the party launched its

friends of the union campaign and I look forward to helping in any way

I can. Under won's leadership, the party had the energy, the vision,

the will to win again and we can demonstrate that we are a modern,

relevant and powerful force in Scotland. And now, as the threat of

separation looms large, Scotland Now, the question over the future

of the United Kingdom cannot be taken lightly. And that is why it

deserves open and honest debate on a number of key issues. Don't be

fooled, conference, by the better end in SNP. The Scottish National

Party is not made up of nationalists. Nor should we see

them as portraitists. As David Cameron said yesterday, how dare

the SNP claimed patriotism for independence alone. Is not everyone

in this room a Patrick? -- a No, the SNP are not nationalists,

they are separatists. Separatist like Alex Salmond one to duck for

be tough questions. He calls himself a social democrat but he

fails to deal with the many issues for democracy which arise from

being a separate Scotland. He calls himself a progressive but what is

progressive about breaking Scotland off from the rest of the United

Kingdom, then giving away powers to Europe? It completely defeats the

SNP argument that Scotland would fare better with more control over

its own affairs when they seek to handover so many serious areas of

government elsewhere. And people want to know, and they have a right

to know, what handing over those powers will mean. Maybe even a

joining the single currency. In the UK, we maintain control over our

borders. Joining Europe's area could open Scotland up to mass

immigration. In the UK, we have an opt-out on justice and home affairs

matters. Almost certainly, Scotland would not have an opt out. All

serious issues with huge implications for Scotland. It is

unfair and it is undemocratic of Alex Salmond not to tell us how all

of this would affect Scotland. Now, let's take the issue of currency as

a case in point. Over the years, Alex Salmond has made the case for

Scotland joining the euro. Indeed, he did so with a passion for which

she is so well known. Nowadays, he has shifted his position. Now, he

says that an independent Scotland would retain Stirling. But that

doesn't really work either. Scotland were still find itself in

a currency zone in which interest rates are set elsewhere. All that

up he will, all that changed for no meaningful change at all. -- All

that upheaval. There are of course occasions when the governments of

Holyrood and Westminster might take a different view on an issue.

Immigration is a policy area that is retained and for which I am

responsible as Home Secretary. However, the SNP and Labour believe

that all immigration is good. I don't agree. We need to reduce and

control immigration. For those who add value to our economy, the door

will always be open. Indeed, recent changes to the system we have made

make it easier for them to come. We won the brightest and the best,

those who will contribute to the economy to come to the UK. And of

course, we will always welcome those who generally seek refuge --

refuge from persecution. But under Labour, a net migration to the UK

number 2.2 million people, some of those will have settled in Scotland.

Understandably, some communities struggled with such rapid change.

They found that Labour's decade of mass mismanaged immigration policy

had a huge impact on public services like health and schools.

Indeed, a recent report which included Scotland carried out by

the migration advisory committee found evidence to suggest a

negative association between people coming to Britain from outside

Europe and British-born employment during the past 15 years. It also

found that some potentially adverse impacts such as housing costs and

increased congestion in public transport are not easily absorbed.

And then, there is illegal immigration, sham marriages,

illegal working, people staying on with expired visas, in rooting out

illegal immigrants, they have been some success stories he is often.

The UK Border Agency's Glasgow team disrupted nine sham marriages in

Gretna this year. Earlier this month, the local immigration team

in Glasgow, accompanied by Strathclyde Police, addresses 11

suspected illegal entrants. We have made it our aim to get net

migration back down to the tens of thousands. Cutting immigration

isn't simple and it will take time. But we are taking action on every

route to the UK. And worst it isn't simple, it is vital, so don't let

Labour and the SNP tell you any Now, in being devolved, Scotland

has shown great success at managing its own affairs. As Home Secretary,

I have no say at all in policing in Scotland and I wouldn't want it any

other way. There are many differences in our approach to

policing. Scotland will have just one force, we in England and Wales

have 43. But I am always struck by how well the arrangement works. And

it certainly doesn't mean we don't talk to each other. In fact, the

opposite is true. Police forces, intelligence agency and immigration

officers work alongside each other on everything from cracking down on

illegal immigration to counter terrorism. The approach balances

the reserved nature of some of the work while recognising the devolved

nature of important aspects of its delivery in Scotland. But again, we

are stronger together. The threat from terrorism shows no regard for

boarders. On several occasions, Scotland has been on the forefront

of international terrorist attacks. When the bomb went off at Glasgow

airport, before resources of the UK state went into running down every

need. Extensive co-operation between the UK and the Scottish

government has developed effective counter-terrorism capabilities.

Working together, our governments have worked in preparation for the

Commonwealth Games in 2014. Scottish police forces and those in

England and Wales have been working closely to make this international

event safe and secure for all to enjoy. Indeed, a national counter-

terrorism exercise to test our preparedness in response to a

terror effect -- terror threat to the 2014 games will take place next

year. And we all look forward to delivering a secure London 2012

games. And Glasgow, Hampden Park, that will be one of the venues. The

challenge of those games is immense. The Olympics safety and security

programme will probably be the largest security operation ever

taken in peacetime Britain. 10,500 athletes for the Olympics and over

4,000 for the Paralympics coming from over 200 countries. On the

busiest day, 800,000 live spectators. And a global TV

audience of up to 4 billion. And, by the way, 21,000 journalists,

twice the number of athletes! And every one of them looking for a

story. But with those 4 billion television viewers all around the

world, all the eyes of the world will be upon us. Regardless of

where you come from in the UK, we will be seen as British. Working

together, we are fighting the scourge of international terrorism.

Working together, we are busting the international drug barons that

ruin our communities, rip families apart and ravaged the lives of so

many. Working together, we can look to the future as a United Kingdom.

We are sending out the message that if people wish to threaten our

security and way of life, then, we stand ready together to do all we

can to stop them in their tracks. There is indeed more that brings us

together than tears us apart. A future in which Scotland, Wales,

Northern Ireland and England continued to flourish side by side

as equal partners. Different and Different and proud to be so.

Surrey, did you say I should have whisky in this? -- sorry. Moving

forward together, we know what we are worth and will go out and get

what we are worth and we will do it together and that is how we will

win. And that is progressive. Conference, I believe in the Union.

We believe in the Union. So, let's see that famous Scottish fighting

spirit out there on the doorsteps The Home Secretary Theresa May

being applauded by the people in the hall. Joining me his Professor

John Curtice of Strathclyde University. A very interesting

point that was picked up in a few of the papers today, her warning

about mass emigration to Scotland. Indeed, and that fitted a wider

theme in the speech. The argument is that Scotland, as part of the

United Kingdom, is better against threats from elsewhere. So, yes, in

part she was talking about immigration. She was also talk

about Europe, the single currency, also talk about terrorism and drugs.

These are all apparently external threats. She is trying to argue

that the union is better capable of defending Scotland from these

threats than Scotland is on its own. Some have the points will be

disputed. For example, the fact that UK is part of this agreement

has little effect. People have an agreement across the union

irrespective of having to show a passport or not. So whether

Scotland would end up with more people coming to this country from

Poland or other parts of eastern Europe,, frankly, it is irrelevant.

I things another points will be disputed. It is interesting to look

at some for points. The one to defence Scotland against some of

these threats, you need to keep the year. Had you think her speech goes

down to a Scottish audience? There was polite applause. Mass

immigration isn't really issued issue in Scott and. It is certainly

true that immigration from outside the European Union, Scotland has

had far less of that. Of course, is also true, and she was partly

alluding to this that Scotland's politicians, Scott and needs more

in the way of immigration in order to get the age balance in the

population. Ironically, we have seen the birth rate increase in

Scotland and we are getting a natural increase in population. So,

some of the requirement for extra immigration has dropped. But

certainly, Scotland, in a sense, existing in this context, and also

some of the arguments about whether immigration is a good or bad thing,

the tone of that debate has been somewhat different than for certain

Alex Ferguson said the case for it -- said it is impossible to

campaign against separation without explaining the consequences to the

Scottish people of rejecting independence. There is no doubt

that the pace of the debate since the New Year when the Government

announced its you on the legality of a bill on independence, and its

conclusion that a further transfer of powers was required to give the

Scottish Parliament the legal comes -- legal competence to enact such a

measure. The interesting thing is that when it comes to this crucial

question, the SNP actually agrees that it meets -- needs that

transfer of powers to enable such a stark choice to be put to the

Scottish people. Accordingly, why is it, you may ask, but since the

turn of the year there has been more discussion about a second

question then there has about the consequences and implications of

independence itself. No one has more to say on this subject then Mr

Salmond, whose attention should be focused on independence, of which

is after all the reason of existing up for his party. There is a

fundamental difference between independence and devolution, up

between sustaining a union and the break-up of Britain. Separation is

a fundamentally different proposition from any scheme of

devolution, and that is the question which needs to be answered

above all else and before all else. In my opinion, some proponents of

different models of devolution are playing with fire if they seek to

introduce the second questions or multiple choices into the

referendum. Wittingly or unwittingly, we're playing Alex

Salmond's game because this simply deflects attention from the main

area should and they should be wary of getting their fingers burnt.

can be no coincidence that in a recent poll, at 8% of undivided --

undecided at voters said they would vote No to independence if they

knew that the pilot was to get for their powers and they knew what the

powers were to be. There is one very good reason to understand what

those powers would be in the event of a no vote. I do not think that

is a good enough reason. And no vote in the referendum is surely

what we all want, it is certainly what we all work for, and if this

is achieved, as I believe it will be, independence will be off the

agenda. But I ask you for how long will that be the case. It would be

until the next majority SNP Government is elected to Holyrood

and a new tranche of the SNP backbench fundamentalists have to

be mollycoddled by their leadership. I want an outcome to all of this

that knocks independence of the agenda, not just for the next five

or 10 years, but maybe for a century or more. The prize for all

of this if we get this right is the creation of a long-term,

sustainable constitutional structure that was a queue at of

all its -- devolved Scotland within the United Kingdom for several

generations to come. I simply do not believe we can achieve that

without considering and laying out our plans for the further

devolution of powers from Westminster to Holyrood. Alex

Ferguson there. Let us speak now to David Mundell. He is standing by

the seaside in at Troon. I just wanted to get up on one or two

points about Theresa May's speech there. She was saying that

independence could open up Scotland to mass emigration. Do you really

need these scare stories to try and keep the union? They are not scare

stories. We're trying to move the debate on about independence and

get people addressing the issues that Scotland will face if we

separate from the rest of Britain. There has been no such sensitive

discussion today about issues like immigration, membership of -- our

membership to the heat -- to the EU, how we will deal with the terrorist

threat, these are substantial issues that need to be debated so

that people know what the position is if Scotland were to be separate.

We have heard nothing from the SNP of the detail of was separation

will mean and that is our challenge to them cute -- a challenge to

them: come and show us what a separate Scotland will look like.

What currency will use? How will the deal with international

terrorist threat? This could be a rather self-defeating argument,

because that she says that Scotland will have to relax border controls,

the same could equally apply to England and Wales. The position is

that as a member state -- that a member state of the EU has never

broken up before in the way that the SNP are proposing to break up

Britain, so they do not have the answers to these big questions.

now there do you. -- needed to you. I am not making the case for

Scotland to be broken out of the rest of Britain. I want things to

carry on as they are. I think Scotland has a good deal with in

the UK, a good deal within Europe, I think Scotland is protected from

international threats because it is part of the UK. I am not making the

case for Scotland to be separate. The SNP are, it is for them to

answer these questions as to what as separate Scotland would look

like. Theresa May was trying to point out that mass emigration has

had a huge impact on public sector has Mac public services. This kind

of top does not go down well in Scotland. -- of torque. I think

people are concerned to understand what will happen in a separate

Scotland on big issues like immigration and whether people in

Scotland will require a passport to go to other parts of the United

Kingdom, what our relationship with the EU will be. A lot of these

issues have not been discussed in Scotland because we had been part

of the United Kingdom. They will become issues if we are a separate

Scotland. It is now at that time for the SNP to set out clearly what

a separate Scotland will look like. Let us move on to what the Prime

Minister was saying -- saying yesterday. If you are the party's

sole MP. Did you feel the party was chided by the Prime Minister for

poor performances over the past 20 years? We all recognise in the

Scottish Conservative Party that we have to do better and we have this

capacity to do better. We have a new, young leader who is

revitalising the party organisation, announcing shortly some big changes

in policy. During our leadership election, we as a party as a whole

it recognised the difficulties that we have had and the issues we have

to face, but what the Prime Minister also said yesterday it was

that this fight to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom gives our party

here in Scotland are renewed sense of purpose. It gives us something

to be out there on the doorsteps campaigning on, and that is what we

intend to do. As the Prime Minister said, you are trying to attract

that mother in Angus, that entrepreneur in Glasgow, but how

can you realistically do that? Annabel Goldie put all our efforts

into trying to attract that support but it has not worked. One of the

reasons that it has not work -- worked, is that a lot of people had

been voting SNP on the basis that they were pursuing Conservative

policies, policies like freezing council tax, police numbers, low

business rates, but what people are beginning to understand is that

voting SNP is not about getting policies delivered, it is about

breaking up Britain. That is one of the big message is that we want to

get over. If you what Conservative policies and you want to stay in

the United Kingdom, the way to do that is to vote Conservative.

Prime Minister accused Alex Salmond of dithering, of hold a referendum

in the autumn of 2014. If you read the Scotsman today, it seems that

the Prime Minister is willing to go for 2014 as long as there is only

one question. Is that true? We want the legal, fair and decisive

referendum. The sooner the better. Alex Salmond's whole reason has

been having a referendum on independence. Now he wants one in

2014 and has given it no substantive reason for why we

should -- it should be delayed. All the procedures should be completed

by next autumn and we could have a referendum in 2013. He should get

on with it. We are ready. The Prime Minister has said it very clear

that we are up for this fight, let's get on with it and end the

uncertainty and to know whether it Scotland is to be part of Britain

or is to be separate. What happened after the fight? I AM confused as

to what Ruth Davidson's line in the sand meant about new powers. As the

SNP said, it is quite a pig in a whole. What the SNP are offering is

a pig in a pork, because they are supposedly a party that wants

independence and now having never participated in the previous

constitutional commission, they are starting to bring on issues about

more powers, which they say they do not believe him. What we're done as

a Conservative Party here in Scotland is we have said that we

would deliver recommendations and that a Conservative Prime Minister

has delivered the Scotland Bill which will bring forward the

biggest transfer of financial powers to Scotland in 300 years.

But his David Cameron's record on devolution. The SNP have never been

previously interested in more powers. They say they are

interested in independence, if they are, let us have that referendum

and let Scotland decide. Do you think the Scotland Bill is a Trojan

horse? I think that the Scotland Bill is a well thought-out piece of

legislation which will make the Scottish Parliament financially

accountable to the people of Scotland. When I served in the

Scottish Parliament, the issue was always the fact that the Parliament

was focused on how to spend money, it was not focused on how that

money was raised. This will make the Scottish Parliament more

financially accountable to the people of Scotland and I think VAT

is a significant change. But ultimately it is up to the people

in Scotland as to whether they want more powers for the Scottish

Parliament. David Cameron has said that he is open to more powers but

at this moment there is no proposal on the table for more powers. What

we want to do is get ahead, get the referenda out of the way, let the

people of Scotland decide and then at that time there will be plenty

of scope to discuss whether the Parliament should have other powers.

Thank you very much. The conference debate on the

economy was introduced as being even more important than

constitutional issues. Yesterday's session brought a mixture of

politicians and business people to the podium to argue the case for

tackling the national debt, reforming public services and

focusing on economic growth. Scotland's Corp -- competition and

market place are global and so our benchmark must be global, and on a

global scale our economy is not performing. This is no surprise

with Scotland's public sector is so heavily weighted, and in Scotland's

funding and to deliver a models for public services are so centralised

and inefficient. This is no wonder when the current and previous

administrations in Holyrood have demonstrated so little strategic

ambition in investing in our infrastructure. The fix requires

bold vision, courage, and the willingness to put aside short-term

political agendas and invest strategically for the long term. It

also means recognising that to compete in the global economy, size

matters. We should do everything possible to me for the numerous

advantages of being part of a strong United came does. In a

global world, that is the world will be all of them, independence

would mean economic suicide for Scotland. Ladies and gentlemen, I

support the motion. Thank you. APPLAUSE. I can only hope that the

British Government looks to more entrepreneur's for advice on to

help new businesses in ways other than simply providing funding. At

the end of the day, if our Government is trying to encourage

us to go out into the world and create an empire, they are not

supporting us to do so or giving us the relevant support and that can

only have a detrimental affect on the loyalty that youngsters feel

towards their Government. It is essential that the right people are

employed to award support and funding to future generations and I

sincerely feel that this needs to be looked at. The way that the SNP

are running things up here is simply not working for those small

and medium-size enterprises that Britain is so keen to nurture. I am

now at this stage of opening her first shop, which is obviously very

exciting, not just because it will be my first job but because I can

finally pack in the restaurant job that I have had to keep myself

afloat for the last two years. I am very proud of all I have achieved,

however high have never considered myself to be an entrepreneur and

will be simply someone told me that this was indeed how he perceived me.

I told him I considered of -- Richard Branson and not -- that I

considered Richard Branson and entrepreneur. He said, you're still

in entrepreneur, it has not yet a successful one. However, I am only

25 and have plenty of time it to The fun -- funding is crucial. At

me moment, the traditional engine for funding is not working, the

banks. 6.5% on overdraft to be reviewed every month and that from

a state-supported bang. Finding suppliers is just as support and. -

- just as supporting -- just as important. Much more focused

support is necessary if the potential contribution my

generation can make to our country's future can be realised.

Emily, I was listening carefully to your speech and I hope what was so

today it will be heard throughout Scotland. You made a strong and

clear message to the Scottish government. Let's not forget, and

this government went to get, that we all need entrepreneurs to get

growth. But we also need government to get behind those entrepreneurs.

Just look at the steps we are taking in Scotland, some of which

the Prime Minister mentioned earlier. Enhanced capital earners.

And the potential to deliver more jobs. As Alan mentioned, measures

that will stimulate billions of pounds of additional investment in

oil and gas. A huge boost for investment in the North Sea. Making

Edinburgh a super connected city, delivering ultra-fast broadband and

high-speed wireless connectivity. Corporation tax relief on video

games which will be particularly good news for Dundee and a tax

extension on the Commonwealth Games. But also, there are the steps we

are taking across the UK. In the teacher, in my area of tax. From

time to time, we receive representations from the Scottish

government that they would like corporation tax to be devolved.

They say that if they had power over corporation tax, they would

take great steps to make Scotland more competitive. The details, I

have to say, tend to be a little fuzzy. There is not much

information out how the tax would be collected or calculated would

stop they tend to brush over the fact that the overwhelming view of

business is that different corporation tax regime in Scotland

compared to the rest of the UK would create unwelcome

administrative burdens. And there is not a word about a cut -- how a

cut in corporation tax would be paid for. A cynic might point out

that when the Scottish nationalists get their hands on a tax like

business like business rates, they are more likely to put it up, not

down. For some years, I have heard Scottish nationalists say that if

we had a corporation tax of 28%, the opportunities for Scotland

would be glorious. Well, when we came to power, corporation tax was

20% and we started cutting it, first to 26%. Next month, it will

be 24%. By 2014, it will be 22%, within sight of 20%. Thought-

through, costed and sustainable. This government is giving Scotland

and the whole of the United England -- cannot -- United Kingdom and the

competitive edge we need. I'd run a B&B and I have been nominated as

running the friendlies B&B in 2012. -- friendliest. It does show that

even the smallest micro business can get recognition if you put your

mind to it. I would just like to end with a short quote. Someone

said to me earlier I should quote Churchill. I'm going to quote

Stanley Baldwin. A long time ago, I know. But just listen to these two

sentences. There are four words and one syllable, each are words which

contain salvation for this country. There are faith, hope, love and

work. And no government in this country today which has not faith

in people, hope in the future, enough for its fellow men and which

won't work and work and work will ever bring this country through to

better days and better times. Thank you, conference. It was the economy

debate in the true in all. We should cross there shortly before

Ruth Davidson's conference speech. -- Troon. Ruth took over in

November. What progress have the Tories being making in the polls?

Clearly, there is a hope that with Ruth Davidson, the party would

indeed achieve progress, progress which has been entirely lacking

since 1997. The truth is that so far, there are any signs in the

opinion polls of this progress being achieved. Love for the most

recent opinion polls, as far as voting intentions are concerned,

the party is starting at 16%. In Holyrood, it is 13%. The truth is

that so far, the Conservatives in Scotland under Ruth Davidson's

Ladyship art in exactly the same large black hole they have been in

for some considerable time. The truth is that most people do not

yet know who Ruth Davidson his and have little ideas about her and her

policies. This morning's speech is important because it is a high-

profile event for her to try and get across to the Scottish public

who she is and what she stands for. Would you things and that consent

will be? She will be tried to explain who she is but what other

contexts might we be hearing? are two things to look out for. One

thing this party has the message on is that if you're going to sell

anything in Scothern, you have too rapid in the Saltire, not the Union

Jack. You have to be proud of the Saltire but still be part of the

Union. This argument that he wanted the Scottish is being commenced

that -- commensurate with being in favour with the union is something

they will argue. We will see whether Ruth Davidson will put

flesh on that idea. What are the arguments as to why those who feel

strongly Scottish should be in favour of the Union? Why do the

correct Scottishness? Undoubtedly, Ruth Davidson is much more willing

than Annabel Goldie to embrace some of the ideas that using much more

of a market approach to the delivery of public services. I'll

be interested to see whether she repeats things she said earlier

this month about, for example, adopting the policies of free

schools, of greater involvement of the private sector in the delivery

of the Health Service, something which has proved extremely

conservative -- extremely controversial south of the border.

We also accept it is there something about although she may be

reluctant to -- for the Scottish Polla to have more power, it looks

as though she might be saying that if they do get these powers, we

indeed may be interested in using those powers to reduce the level of

income tax in Scotland. You may have heard David ducks say what is

the point of tax bias because we are already delivering lower

corporation tax. But Ruth Davidson might say that they should campaign

on the basis of having a lower income tax in Scotland will adopt

we are going to the hall very shortly in Troon. They are playing

Abdo to introduce her. There is Theresa May, the Home Secretary

going to introduce her. She is taking to the steps now. She will

introduce Ruth Davidson, the new Tory leader. Ladies and gentlemen,

our Prime Minister David Cameron, the Cabinet, we all know what a

fantastic job Ruth Davidson has been doing as your leader. Just

look, in the last few weeks, she has pressed for city status for

Perth, she has pressed for tax breaks for, what game athletes and

for support for the computer games industry. I can tell you

unreservedly that Ruth Davidson is fighting Scotland's corner. Ladies

and gentlemen, please welcome the leader of the Scottish

I think you left your whisky! Actually, it is pretty good! Good

afternoon, conference. Hasn't it been a fantastic weekend. Hasn't it

been so fantastic to see the support we have from the four

corners of our United Kingdom. To see proper debate back at

conference. To see so many MPs and ministers, cabinet ministers

joining us here in Troon. And of course, a man who is a true

supporter of our party in Scotland, our cause here in Scotland, our

Prime Minister, our Conservative Prime Minister at David Cameron. --

High Mr David Cameron. More than that, it is fantastic to see a

party that has renewed, reinvigorated and up for the fight

ahead. A party that is changing with its eyes firmly fixed on the

future and all that it can bring. As our mission is about more than

simply restoring the electoral fortunes of these cottages

Conservatives, although there is our goal. More fundamental, it is

to reclaim the voice for mainstream Scotland. When you are elected me

leader of our party, I promised root and branch reform, Eira -- I

promised reform in the way in which we operate and how we communicate.

That reform is well under way. Of the aged recommendations put

forward by the Sanderson Commission and adopted by our party, 73 have

been completed or are in the presence of completion. We have a

new structure at the top, new ways of speaking with members and a

recruitment drive is seeing results. In the last four months, our

results have gone from fewer than 9,000 paid-up members to more than

I played a greater role for that membership in the determination of

policy and they promised to bring back proper debate within our ranks.

From the robust such as we have seen this weekend, it is pretty

clear there is no shortage of opinion. That is the way it should

be. But it is not enough. Two further drive forward our policy

review, I am announcing the membership of our new board.

Journey on our border will be Stewart Stevenson, Scottish Lynsey,

John Lamont and one about best known and committed campaigners Ian

McGill. We are conducting the coldest review of our policies

since devolution. We have groups representing the business

communities and rural interests, teachers, professionals, and with

communities the length and breadth of Scotland. This is no small body

of work and it will feed into the board. We will be there to listen,

to listen to you at conference, to listen to our policy reviews, to

listen to expert opinion across Scottish public life, to learn from

across the world what can work better here in Scotland. And

together, we will build a set of policies that meet the challenges

of our age and which reflect the aspirations of the modern Scott and.

There are several further reforms in which power NUM members will

play a central role. I want to share them with you today. As we

map out a fresh and positive direction for the concert -- for

the Scottish Conservatives, we must match that with a fresh and

positive image for our party. So, this will be the last Scottish

Conservative conference where it will be -- where we will use our

existing branding. Will consult with you on proposals for our

dynamic new logo and image. Secondly, to be sure we're in the

best shape to fight elections, counsel, European and Western and

parliamentary, we will be consulting on the future structure

of our grass roots organisations. We must be a campaigning forced to

better deliver our message and nannies to be at the core of all we

do and how we shake ourselves. Thirdly, we must review our

candidate selection as a ranking process for Holyrood. We must make

sure that all the talented people in our ranks can play their full

part as we take a party forward. To help these me -- to help me in

these areas, I can think of no one loves the party will, no one who

more appreciate the strength we have and seize the opportunities of

what we can be, then our party's deputy leader Jackson Carlow and I

have asked him to take the lead on these issues. Jackson, we are right

And on the issues that mattered to Scotland, there will be debate,

there must be robust debate, because politics is not about cosy

consensus on every issue is, it is about a class of -- clash of ideas.

We will reach out to reconnect with that the thousands of people who

share our values but have stopped voting for us, or perhaps never

have. We will not get our support from hiding our light under a

bushel, by saying nothing to offend, by apologising for being

Conservatives. No more shy Tories, we must never be afraid to speak

out. I APPLAUSE. There are moments in history when it falls to a group

of people to take a stand. If to say what they believe in with

conviction, with passion, with right on their side. To know that

however allowed to their detractors will try to shed them down, they

will not be diverted from their course. Knowing that they speak for

the silent majority of the fellow men and women and that they shall

prevail. Conference, this is our town, a moment, our duty and a

column. Let me repeat what I told you last night. The next 1000 days

will shape the future of our country for ever. This is a battle

that we must win and that be will win. We will settle the separation

question. That question of separation is the elephant in the

room that is dominating Scottish politics. Often to the exclusion of

everything else. We have an SNP that is so obsessed with separation

that it is abdicating its responsibilities to the job it was

elected to do. On the day went youth unemployment figures crashed

through the 1000 barrier, the highest Scotland has ever seen,

where was the First Minister? Not at his desk, but down south at the

London School of Economics agitating for the job that he wants,

President of a separate Scottish state. That was bad enough but it

gets worse. All around Scotland, he is letting people down. Yesterday,

in this poll, we held -- heard from Emily Lamb, at great example of the

bright young entrepreneurial talent every country needs. She told us

that she was frustrated and felt let down by our devolved Government.

As she put it, the way that the SNP is running things up here is simply

not working for the small and medium-sized enterprises that the

United Kingdom is so keen to nurture. Alex Salmond, get back to

your desk and get on with the job if she were elected to do. APPLAUSE.

It is not just Scottish business that is being ignored, abandoned

and neglected. It is the people of Scotland and the public services

they are reliant. This week, I spoke to a young man who e-mailed

me about the desperate need fought our cancer ward in Scotland. He

says, I lost my mum in 2001 to cancer. Watching someone so full of

life - it was painful to watch. How the -- her death has had a profound

effect upon the and that is why I joined Cancer Research UK, so I can

make sure that no one again will have to make sure -- will have to

go through what my mum went through. I believe that with the greater

availability of cancer drugs, my mother would be here today.

Scotland has a poor record when it comes to cancer and the need

radical change. I believe that this change can come from a cancer drugs

fund. Those are the words of a 17- year-old boy who is desperately

hard time and working to make a difference. He has been let down.

We cannot allow others to put the future of their country on hold

whilst they pursue their own agenda. So Alex, get back to your desk and

get back to the job that you were elected to do. APPLAUSE. I wish

that these were isolated cases, but they are not. The SNP's eye is of

the ball. It is as if they do not want to use the powers they have

got because it would prove that they have far more powers to use.

Take justice. There has been some progress -- progress, largely due

to the extra police that we delivered, but there is still so

much to do. Five years after coming to power, and still no action from

the SNP on ending the automatic early release scheme, which under

the nationalists has freed nearly 35,000 convicts from Scotland's

jails after serving just half of their services. That is 35,000

criminals freed and able to commit more crimes, create more needless

victims, when they should still be bought locked up for public safety.

Surely the SNP have taken a more robust approach to community

sentencing? Let me tell you the facts. Nearly one-third of the

SNP's community pay back orders are opposed with no work reply it --

work requirement whatsoever. Half of supervised attendance orders are

breached by those serving them. So that is the SNP's approach to

sentencing. If you're convicted you will serve on behalf of your

service. If you're given a non- custodial sentence, there is every

chance you will never have to do a day's work to pay back to society,

and if you preach these terms, do not worry, the SNP have abolished

short-term prison sentences. Conference, the SNP stands guilty

without the criminal neglect of our justice system. They are guilty as

charged. APPLAUSE. It is time for sentences to mean what they say.

For five years to mean five years. For 10 years to mean it tenures. In

Scotland we need a whole life order, because sometimes life should mean

exactly that, life in prison with no chance of ever being released.

That is what I mean about dividing lines in politics. And let us look

at child care. The SNP say they what provision to rise to 600 hours

per year. Fine words, but let us look at their actions. We have

heard it all before. Five years ago they promised a 50% rise in child

care and respect was five years failing to deliver. During that

time, the number of pre-school places has dropped each and every

year. A quarter of registered creches have closed in the last two

years alone. In Scotland's classrooms, there are nearly 4,000

fewer teachers then when the SNP came to power and one and five

newly qualified teachers find themselves without a job. Alex, get

back to your desk, get back to you work and do the job you were

elected to do. APPLAUSE. Because one thing is now abundantly clear.

For the separate us, there is only one game in town. As we look

forward to may's elections, we know what that game is. We have seen it

before. They will pretend it is all about local issues for local people,

this from a nationalist party that wants to centralise everything. But

as soon as the if -- as soon as the votes are counted they will claim

that every ballot is a cast iron vote for separation, because the

nationalists only have their eyes on one prize. They do not want a

better Scotland, just a separate Scotland. So to our local council

candidates, I say this. Call for would confident that we will settle

the question and that we are the true party of localism and real

devolution. Devolving power from Holyrood to people and communities

across Scotland. This is another fundamental dividing line between

the Scottish Conservatives and their opponents. They want to

gather more power in the hands of the few. We want to deliver power

into the hands of the many. So vast reseated delivered evolution at

local level, it is us, at the Conservatives, who are delivering a

further devilish and now for the people of Scotland. The Scotland

Bill will soon bring the biggest transfer of fiscal powers to

Scotland since the creation of the United Kingdom. New powers of a

stamp duty, at landfill tax, income tax. We must focus our attention on

using the powers we have and the new powers that are coming to build

a better Scotland. While the new tax powers are still some time away,

now is the time to think about how they can and should use to. As

Conservatives, our view is clear. To cut the tax burden faced by

individuals and businesses. Leaving more money in the pockets of Scots.

Encouraging more businesses to expand to create more and better

paid jobs in every corner of the country. Clearly, the scope for

cutting income tax will depend on the economic climate and the state

of public finances. But let there be no doubt, lowering the overall

tax burden is our ambition. A dividing line between Conservatives

to trust people to spend more of their own money to grow the economy

and the others who do not. Sono Alex, it is not a penny for

Scotland, it is pounds for people's pockets and that is the

Conservative way. APPLES. applause. We are building a party

that is brimming with new talent and fresh ideas. We are ready,

willing and able to tackle the new issues facing Scotland. We will

never face sight of the here and now. We know that there is no more

important issue than Scotland's continued place within the United

Kingdom. Our position is clear. We are for the union. Scotland is

better off in Britain and we do not Defence Scotland's place in the

United Kingdom by compromising with the forces of separatism. So no red

ballots and no second questions. A clear choice for at the people of

Scotland. In or out of the Union. I United Kingdom or a separate

Scotland. It is a choice that the Scottish people must be given as

quickly as possible. Delayed damages business. More and more

people are asking the question, why the delay, Alex? What is going on?

I will tell you what I think. Ego before party, party before country.

There is a growing army who do not agenda is to break up Britain be

working so hard to avoid putting a single, straight question to the

country? But that is not a Conservative Way. A legal, a freer,

decisive referendum. We must settle the referendum question -- this

separation question. The APPLAUSE. The treaty of Union bind our

nations together and set them on a shared path which has endured for

more than three centuries. The United Kingdom is a shining example

to the world of estate that gathers together an array of nationalities

and peoples. Ours is an optimistic message. We support the Union

because Scotland's strings bolster those of the other nations within

it. It is about Corporation. It is about the whole being greater than

the sum of its parts. Giselle thick -- celebrate the fact that our

identity is not rigid but is open for all to share them. The

diversity of the United Kingdom and the strength of the cultural

enrichment that we draw from that is what it make -- what makes it

unique and to be prized. Breaking up the union would only serve to

narrow Scotland's ambitions. Embracing a British identity does

not will cost of one ounce of our proud Scottish us, it simply adds

an extra dimension to it. I union is a partnership. Our out looks are

not always identical, we sometimes argued and recognise the necessity

of compromise, but we know that we get far more from sticking together

than they would from standing apart. The ties that draw our nation

together are many and they have developed over time. For some, they

are deeply cultural. For others, they are a respect for the

institutions of our state, a monarch a, our armed forces. For

others they are economic. If we are rightly proud of the history of the

Union, it is to the future that we must raise our eyes. Scotland and

Britain is not an exercise in nostalgia. It is positive and

forward-looking, together for good. It is about the way we interact --

interact with the rest of the world. It is about the advantages that

come from an integrated economy. The Solidarity we have through the

welfare state and the pulling of risks and rewards. To believe in

the Union of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is not

an exercise in timidity, it is a statement of confidence that as a

nation Scotland Act should continue to play a role in the world beyond

our size and the number of our people. It is a belief that our

progress as a society is best served through continued

partnership with in our family of nations. That will be our message

over the coming months. To get that for good. Scotland is better off in

Britain. To those who want to break apart, I say, the respect of you

To supporters who accrued us, I say join us. We are positive that our

destinies are best served together, together for good. A strong

Scotland and a strong Britain. Pride in our past, faith in our

future and an unshakeable conviction that our best days still

lie ahead. Friends, I promise you that in our council chambers, at

Holyrood, at Westminster and in Europe, we will keep our eye on the

ball, fighting for a fairer deal, standing up and being counted on

the issues that matter day to day but equally, and this is my vow,

when it comes to the very future of the country that I laugh, I won't

falter. As Conservatives, where we need to lead, we will lead, where

we need to join, we would join, and where we need to fight, we won't be

found wanting. There are things that divide us but there are

aspects that can join us also. Scotland's calls is bigger than

anyone political party. So I say, Scotland expects us to work

together and we are. Scotland expects us to lead and we will.

Scotland expects us to put aside our differences and pooled together

for the common cause, to give a voice to the silent majority, to

build a chorus across a nation. Today, we stand on the brink of

history, the world is watching. This is a cause and we won't be

found wanting. We will add our sound to the millions of voices

declaring as one a strong Scotland in a strong Britain. Together, for

but. Conference, let's get to work. The Scottish Conservative leader

Ruth Davidson receiving a standing ovation in the hall at Troon after

her very first conference speech. She was introduced by the Home

Secretary Theresa May. Ruth Davidson are promised a new and

reinvigorated party. She said no more shy Tories. She accused the

SNP of taking the eye of the ball to focus on the referendum. He

promised a new Scotland Bill and Tories would cut taxes. She said

she was standing four-square behind a union and that she would give the

boys to the silent majority the stop I am joined by Professor John

Curtice of Strathclyde University was stopped John, your immediate

reaction to that. Her first speech as they do. A rather surprisingly

short speech. I think, in some sense, it showed the difficulty of

the situation she has inherited. On the one hand, she has committed her

party to a policy review. At the beginning of this beach, we had

some detail about how it will be organised. That meant there was

very little about what is the current Scottish Conservative

policy and vision for the year. There was the idea that when

Scotland has its own income tax powers, a much reduce it. A strong

attack on the SNP's criminal- justice system. Still, with

relatively little on the domestic double to politics, despite a very

strong attack on the SNP for not paying enough attention to it. The

second thing maybe the most important message of the space. She

has inherited a situation where her party, together with Labour and

Liberal Democrats, are wanting to defend the Union. She was to be

combated but actually, she needs to become part of a wider pro-union

organisation and the end of that speech was a very strong state and

that although she does have are differences with the Liberal

Democrats, she very clearly feels that her immediate objective is to

collaborate with the other Unionist parties to create a strong pro-

union campaign. She was saying that some of the party warfare will have

to be put on hold for a while in order to achieve this figure

projected. Achieve this bigger objective. She has given other

speeches in where we have a clear idea about the degree to which she

wants to change the Health Service and education. On the other hand,

still, nobody could get any doubt about her style. She clearly is say

to her party, we should not be timid. We should declare what we

stand for. We should go on the basis of that. I think all that it

is not necessarily clear from this speech, I think we're probably

anticipating that under Ruth Davidson, the Conservative Party is

probably going to move something to the right in Scotland. It will

occupy much more distinctive policy spaces with respect to have

Scotland should be run. She is someone who believes her party will

revive by not as it were going to was the centre of Scottish politics

and try to accommodate the new Conservative Party to the Scottish

electorate. Rather, her strategy will be to say firmly this is what

we believe in and by the way, we believe in different things from

both Labour and the SNP in Scotland. Although the star was there today,

I think the substance was missing because she is just about to go

through a policy review and this time this next year -- this time

next year, we may get some more flesh on the bones. Just the very

beginning of the speech, it was parish pump stuff, to a

housekeeping duties. But you think that is significant. She is trained

to put her individual stamp on it. It is worth bearing in mind that in

the same way as the Labour Party leader John Lamont, that was a

change agreed before she became leader, equally, because it is

agreed that Annabel Goldie's successor would be the leader of

the whole of the Conservative Party has got and and she has inherited

that position. She is indeed responsible for running because of

a party in Scotland and I think undoubtedly, we are looking to see

what policies the Conservative Party is going to launch a loss of

the border. Certainly looking through the names of the people she

is going to look at, they are people who are known to be

associated quite closely with her. This is the policy board, the Ruth

Davidson wing of the party that is now firmly in control of his party.

She is selling her party members they can have the debate. -- she is

telling her party members. Thank you. Let's go back over to Brian

for more reaction from the delegates in the hall. Thank you. I

am joined by Annabel Goldie, the Auld bird, as you describe yourself

last night. What did you make of your successor's speech? I thought

it was absolutely inspiring. I am not just saying no. It was full of

passion and purpose. She laid down a very clear message of what she

was to deliver and she also laid out the heart of what the

Conservatives believe is the United Kingdom. That will be the

touchstone for everything they are doing. There is this business about

that the Shaikh, did apologise, end the ringing of hands. What do you

make of that? They are saying the gloves are off. The battle-lines

are drawn. People are coming up to me in the street saying, we want to

stop this independence drive, what are you doing about it? Both David

Cameron and won have Bradley said the moment is here, -- both David

Cameron and Ruth have said the moment is here. I am a Scot who

sits for the Conservatives in Westminster. I am passionate about

defending the junior. The purpose is about getting jobs in Scotland

and getting people in Scotland back to work. We can only do that with

stability. Uncertainty over the future does not give us that

stability. A no compromise with the nationalists. How do you interpret

that? I interpret that as meaning they will be no compromise with the

nationalists. We are the premiere Unionist Party in a spot of. We

will work with other parties to ensure that the union is not broken.

You are say you are the premier union party? Isn't that they to

aggravate Labour and the Liberal Democrats and in the same breath,

you are calling them to work with you? I think they can make the same

claim I have made. If they are, they can show us how it is done.

You are asking Eddie joined you. this will be a campaign that is

genuinely across the parties. People across Scotland will be

invited to take part in that. We have to make sure this has got an's

campaign. Annabel Goldie, another big issue from Ruth Davidson. When

the tax part of the Bill is placed, when the circumstances are right,

she is talking about cutting income tax in Scotland. That could be

popular here but Mark's was it just aren't going to welcome that in

England. Already, the reality of devolution is that over a whole

range of things, with the powers that we have, we do things

differently. I think Mark and his colleagues in Westminster

understand that. That is the reality of devolution. The new

powers coming through with his got and built, I think they are very

important for the Scottish Parliament and will give it this

combination of not just responsibility for spending money

but some degree of accountability and responsibility for raising the

money, I think is an important discipline and that is what will be

interesting to see how some of the other parties like the SNP make of

that. Mark, how would you explain to your constituents south of the

border that the Scots can cut income tax? My constituents would

Tissier prospers -- a prosperous got there. If we can see tax cuts

taking place that make saw that an attractive place for investments,

my constituents will welcome that. What we want to do is to be able to

make Scotland a haven for investments. Companies are worried

about coming to Scotland at the moan because they don't know what

Alex Salmond's plans are. We need to get that out of the way a get

jobs going in Scotland. That offer, essentially cutting taxation when

it is founded upon the taxation bill going through but the former

Secretary said that he regarded the Scotland Bill as a Trojan horse.

think the Scotland Bill is essential. We need is the ability

in Scotland. The problem for constituents south of the border

and their concern over spending is governed is they feel that money is

being spent here that it is not being raised here. That is not the

case. We need to be demonstrated more clearly. That is what the tax

changes in Scotland are all about. An inspired view. And a new logo,

as well? What would be your choice for a new logo? A tree? That is

putting me in the spot. I am not going to fall foul of my new leader.

These are important steps for the party to take. They will be

significant, not just for the negative. I thought the most

powerful thing she said the members was that unless you exist in a

campaign and advance the political arguments that we as Conservatives

believe in and show the dividing lines and the dividing line between

us and the other parties. She is saying it is moribund in some

areas? No, she is saying that the party needs to look at the whole

issue of political campaigning. We believe in different policies to

other parties, let's get out and sing that song lads and clear.

on this point of organisation, some would say it is shovelling the

chairs but do you think it is important? Yes, Scottish party is

not as strong as it used to be. We need to work together. Colleagues

south of the border like myself will be doing that. We need good

Scots coming forward and offering themselves for public service.

Don't leave it to someone else. If you are a conservative and you

think you can play a part, come forward and do it. On the same

point, candidate selection, she is obviously planning some big changes.

Yes, indeed. The fact that she thinks the big changes are needed

means she things there was a problem in the past. What is that

problem? The problem was that we were too conservative, we were

resistant to change. We are now adapting to the political party --

climate in Scotland. These changes mean we can go forward and engage

with a whole new generation of young Scots. These are young Scots

were here this week. We have thousands of new members playing

their role in that. Joss-sticks burning, the helicopter above,

there is a demonstration organised and the helicopters are keeping an

eye on them and probably just as well. Now, during a debate during

energy policy, delegates had fully read and Westminster in their sides.

The stellar wind farm development across got and also came in for

I believe that the current construction of so many wind farms,

or onshore and offshore, is the most are seriously damaging and

destructive policy being inflicted on Scotland today. APPLAUSE. It is

a damaging policy for many reasons. Firstly, it damages our industry

where Claridge increases in the price of energy which threatens

competitiveness. We are in a delicate economic recovery rates

and purpose in making our industry uncompetitive is madness. Our

environment is damaged by the loss of truly beautiful places. Some

figures show that in 2002, 40% of our wild places remain in Scotland.

By 2009, those had reduced to 28%. Sadly, there are no up-to-date

figures, but for sure it has got worse. My own brief on our council

is planning and environment. I want to support this motion because wind

farms at giant con. Figures from the Department of Energy and

climate change sure that wind farms in the United Kingdom earned 1,100

million pounds for their owners. A �500 million of this was

electricity, �600 million of this was subsidy. Who pays the subsidy?

A householder. During the winter, there are times when less than 1%

of our electricity needs are generated from wind farms. But,

hang on, at the lights didn't go out, did they? Know they did not.

Because there have to be back-ups - - back-up stations, gas or coal.

And as these power stations switched on and off, the use more

fuel and admit more carbon in exactly the same way as when you're

driving your car. So the car in is getting emitted in bigger

quantities. That is not being green. And the person who is paying for it

is the householder. Fuel poverty is rising and the Eco zealots at think

it is fine. It is not. APPLAUSE. am not and you wind farm. I think

they are all right if they are in the right place. And if people and

the planners and the Government listen to local communities. I do

not just say that because my son at belts wind farms, but I have two

main issues here. One was raised by Anne Cowan. That is that despite

what local communities say, now I represent the area that is the last

wilderness in Europe. Tourism is our main industry in the Highlands.

20% of Dot -- of jobs are in hospitality. People do have serious

concerns in the Highlands and Islands about where wind farms are

and the effect on tourism and the effect on their lives. These are

not unreasonable people and they are not people who are anti- wind

farm 100%. They are reasonable people putting forward reasonable

views to their elected members and the elected members vote against

the wind farms, the communities have petitions and petitions

against the wind farms, but they know in their Hearts that when that

application get to the Scottish Government, because of the pursuit

of renewable targets, their voices will not be heard. I do not think

there is anybody here who is anti- renewable energy. I think we have

seen the role of renewable energy has to play, whether it is Hydro,

biomass, alter our technologies. I think there are many people who on

a small-scale pieces would except wind onshore or offshore. But what

people are fed up with is the headlong rush into onshore wind

farm development. I am joined now from Troon by the

Scottish Conservative leader of Ruth Davidson. Congratulations on

your maiden speech to conference. I would like a bit more detail

about... Not my maiden speech! would like a little bit more detail

about this umbrella group that you're trying to forge with it the

other Unionist parties. You were setting out your stall as the

premier Unionist Party in asking others to join you. What we have

done at this conference is unveil our own campaign group called

Conservative friends to the union and asked people, anyone who wants

to help campaign, as we said yesterday we will link that in with

the umbrella group when it comes forward. I said today that the

people of Scotland are looking for all political leaders of Tunis

parties to work together and that is what I plan to do. So will we

get arable Goldie working with Alistair Darling? Is that the top

of the umbrella group? You know you're fishing for information and

I do not think I am the right person to give it you. I will be

working with John Lamond and David Mundell from my own party to make

sure that there is a concerted you that all unionists across Scotland

and the ANC political leadership in this. What is more important in

this is that it is not just about people who are members of political

parties, it is about civic Scotland as well. It is about academics, the

business community, just ordinary voters who are happy and proud to

be Scottish, may even feel more Scottish than British, but they

still feel British to and they do not want that British part of them

taken away. You work Topping in your speech and you accused -- you

accused Alex Salmond of dithering. You're not paying much heed to the

Westminster consultation on this. We have seen a good response to the

Westminster consultation. I have always said that I want to see a