Achi news desk-
Posting on X, Mr Swinney said: “I’m looking forward to leading @theSNP in this election.
“This is the moment to get rid of the Tory Government and put Scotland First by voting for the SNP.
“People in Scotland know that we stand for them and protect them from the damage done by Westminster.”
READ MORE: General Election: Rishi Sunak calls snap vote for July 4
The Scottish Tory leader said his party was ready to “take the fight to the SNP” and beat them in “key seats up and down Scotland”.
“This election in Scotland is a huge opportunity to defeat the SNP and put an end to their obsession with independence for good,” said Douglas Ross.
“If voters unite in the many seats where it is a straight fight between the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP, we can get rid of nationalist MPs who have never focused on the things that really matter.
“In key seats up and down Scotland, only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP and get all the attention for voters’ top priorities, such as creating good jobs, reducing NHS waiting lists and investing in schools.”
I look forward to leading @theSNP in this election. This is the moment to get rid of the Tory Government and put Scotland First by voting for the SNP. People in Scotland know that we stand up for them and protect them from the damage done by Westminster. #voteSNP 🏴
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) May 22, 2024
Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar said the people of the UK were “desperate for change”.
“After 14 years of Tory chaos and failure, this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss,” he said.
“Scotland is crying out for change and that change is only possible with a Labor government led by Keir Starmer who is on the side of working people.
“Voting Scottish Labor means giving this rotten Tory Government a boost, maximizing Scottish influence with Scottish Labor MPs in government and delivering the change Scotland needs.
“It’s time for change and Labor is ready to deliver it.”
The Scottish Greens – who were partners of the SNP Government until last month – said they were ready to field a record number of candidates in the election.
“The Scottish Greens are ready to go, we will be standing more candidates than ever before on July 4. With the Scottish Greens in the room, people can be sure that climate justice and social justice will always be on the agenda board,” said co-leader Lorna Slater.
“A strong Scottish Green vote in this election could be transformative, so everyone needs to get out and vote for people and for the planet.
“This is the last chance to save our nature and climate from the Tories, to put an end to their planet-wrecking policies, and to protect future generations from the harm that is being caused to them.”
He urged people to make sure they are registered to vote and have a valid ID to ensure they are not turned away as part of new laws introduced by the UK Government.
READ MORE: Rishi Sunak gambles on July 4 election – will it pay off?
The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton, accused the Tories and the SNP of “taking people for granted and messing up our country for too long”.
“People have had enough, it’s time for a change and the Scottish Liberal Democrats are here for it,” he said.
“The Scottish Liberal Democrats want to bring people back together, putting Scotland at the heart of a reformed UK and mending our broken relationship with Europe.”
Alba Party leader and former prime minister Alex Salmond has urged voters to use the General Election to seek independence.
He said: “The 4th of July is celebrated in the USA as their Independence Day, but if we do the General Election for independence then in Scotland it may no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day Scotland declared to the world. that we will not accept a veto from Westminster over our right to self-determination and that we have voted for Scotland to be an independent country.
“Alba’s party is now the natural home for supporters of independence. If we work hard then Alba can have a big impact on independence in the upcoming election.”
