Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross claims independence threatens our coronavirus recovery
He's the first political leader to appear on The Leaders Phone In
Last updated 4th Apr 2021
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has been challenged by listeners this morning on opposition to Indy Ref 2.
He is the first Scottish political leader to appear on The Leaders Phone In which is taking place every Sunday at 9am on Tay 2 in the run up to the Scottish Parliament Election on May 6.
One listener wanted to know if he would try to stop another independence referendum if the SNP win a majority government after Scots go to the polls.
Liz asked: "The Conservatives are standing on a ticket to stop Indy Ref 2, but if a majority of pro-independence MSPs are returned then what right do you have to stop another vote being held after covid is over if that is what Scotland votes for?"
The party leader claims the focus should be on recovering from coronavirus.
Douglas said: "We know it will take years for our economy to get back up to pre-pandemic levels and I want to see Scotland do even better than it was before we entered the pandemic.
"The SNP have set out an 11 point plan on how they would get another independence referendum, but I want a Parliament focused on recovery and rebuilding Scotland after the last 12 months.
"Other parties want the same, but I can see the threat to that being another vote on whether Scotland leaves the UK."
On the fishing industry
One listener questioned him about how the UK can take full control of its waters now it has left the EU and how we will get the quota of fish we are entitled to.
Peter expressed his frustration on the issue: "I’m struggling to give you my vote this time over the debacle the Tory Government caused over fishing.”
Douglas added: "We will continue to get more of a share and 5 and a half years after the agreement was signed on Christmas Eve last year we will have full control over who fishes what, where and when."
On making Scotland better
Mr Ross pledges to increase the number of teachers across Scotland to boost our education system.
"We were told we would see a reduction in class sizes and actually all we have seen over the last 5 years is a reduction in the number of teachers and that has a knock-on effect on the subjects young people can choose at school."
He claims more investment in the NHS and public services are also at the top of his priority list if he gets into Holyrood next month.
"I want to invest £2 billion in the NHS, I want to see full fibre broadband by 2027, I want to see more local police and I want to see a skills revolution with skills grants."
Leader of the SNP and current First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, will be taking your calls on the show when it returns next Sunday.