Leading politicians in online clash over promises made during the independence referendum
FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon and leader of the opposition Ruth Davison have clashed after news that there will delays to the commencement of building Type 26 frigates on the Clyde.
Responding to reports in the Guardian that the senior official responsible for Ministry of Defence equipment, Tony Douglas, had said he “can’t give a time or date” as to when construction on the Clyde will begin, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was a “breach of the promise made during indyref”.
The first minister then publicly challenged Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson, whose party has long claimed the Clyde jobs were secure in the event of a No vote. The official No campaign, Better Together, said at the time: “Thousands of shipbuilding jobs in yards across Scotland depend on UK Defence contracts. Separation would put those jobs at risk.”
Defence Secretary at the time of the independence referendum, Philip Hammond, similarly said: “These contracts are on the Clyde because the Clyde is part of the UK. Inevitably a lot of things will change, there will be an enormous period of uncertainty, if Scotland were to vote Yes. I think what Scotland has got tonight is a very good and compelling case for remaining part of the UK.”
@RuthDavidsonMSP hi – while we have your attention…do you have anything to say about this? https://t.co/9fROxWNeVz
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 20, 2016
@NicolaSturgeon @guardian remind me again of the number of warships you planned to build in an independent Scotland? Zero, right?
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) July 20, 2016
@RuthDavidsonMSP the question was about the promise you made in 2014. How about explaining why it's being broken rather than deflecting?
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 20, 2016
Come on, @NicolaSturgeon, don't go… How many warships in indy Scotland? Build phase before or after design? Kerevan's cost of indy?
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) July 20, 2016
@RuthDavidsonMSP sorry – this isn't about independence – it's about promises you made in return for No vote. You can't dodge responsibility!
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 20, 2016
@NicolaSturgeon And you can't seem to answer a single question. But Scotland's used to that at 12pm on a Thursday…
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) July 20, 2016
@RuthDavidsonMSP I think we've established you don't like being held to account. But seriously – enjoy the rest of your holiday.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 20, 2016
Pictures courtesy of: Flickr / kevinmcc
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