‘They didn’t mention Scotland once!’ SNP gives blunt verdict on first General Election debate

The SNP has accused Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer of neglecting Scotland as the Conservative and Labour leaders continue on the campaign trail.

Following a televised debate last night, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes gave her reaction on behalf of the party to the two candidates seeking election as Britain’s next Prime Minister.

“Last night’s debate tells us everything we need to know about the next Government,” said Forbes.

“We’ve had Starmer and Sunak up in Scotland over the last few weeks making comments on why they want to deliver for Scotland but in the first debate they didn’t mention Scotland once.”

She added: “We also heard that there’s pretty much nothing between Labour and the Tories when it comes to public finances and that is going to have colossal implications for Scotland’s budget.”

Forbes joined SNP candidate for Bathgate and Linlithgow, Martyn Day, on a visit to a community pottery painting workshop, where she was asked about the SNP’s repeated references to Brexit throughout the election campaign.

“We know that in Scotland a majority voted for ‘remain’,” she said, “we also know that small businesses in Scotland are being particularly affected by the higher cost and red tape of Brexit.”

She highlighted the Scottish salmon industry, noting their concerns at losing £100million each year due to Brexit restrictions.

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When pushed on why the SNP continues to push back against Brexit when other high-profile Remainers have moved on from the 2016 referendum, Forbes said: “It’s in our DNA to always put Scotland first”.

She continued: “SNP MPs at Westminster have been the loudest advocates for our farmers when it came to the free trade agreement; for our businesses when it came to the Brexit deal; and for our households when it came to the spiralling cost of living crisis.”

In the weeks since the election was called for July 4, communications issued by other parties has not yet made reference to the country's decision to leave the European Union.

Speaking at Natwest’s Edinburgh campus on Tuesday would-be Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves touched on the topic as she answered questions from staff alongside Scottish Leader, Anas Sarwar.

In response to a question about travel restrictions to Europe, Reeves said: “We accept the result of the referendum - I voted remain and I’d vote the same way if we went back in time - but it will be eight years later this month since the result of that referendum.”

Reeves added that while Labour accept the result, they “don’t believe that the deal was done was the best deal that could be done”, citing a number of areas Labour would seek to change to bolster the economy.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, the Scottish Conservatives attacked the Deputy First Minister on her comments over the oil and gas sector in the North East.

Just six weeks after the collapse of the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens, John Swinney has refused to rule out an interest in fresh North Sea investment.

Responding to Forbes' claims the SNP has “always been on the side of oil and gas workers”, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “John Swinney was repeatedly asked whether his party would reverse their reckless opposition to new oil and gas licences during the STV leaders' debate - and he repeatedly refused to do so.

“Now his deputy has the brass neck to claim the SNP have always been on the industry's side.”

Ross, who has vacated his Westminster seat to lead the Holyrood party full-time, added: “The tens of thousands of oil and gas workers in the industry know the SNP have turned their backs on them.”

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn - SNP Aberdeen South candidate - will have an opportunity to respond at Friday’s televised debate, appearing alongside Conservative Minister Penny Mordaunt, Labour Deputy Angela Rayner, Reform leader Nigel Farage, Lib Dem Deputy Daisy Cooper, Green Co-leader Carla Denyer and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.