Voters can end independence debate for good by backing Tories, says Ross

The General Election could end the independence debate “for good”, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said as voters head to the polls.

Mr Ross, who is standing as a candidate in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency, has urged voters to back the Tories to “finish the SNP”.

He said while SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney will use every SNP seat won as a “mandate” for independence, a Tory victory will instead “focus on priorities”.

Mr Ross, who has said he will step down as party leader after the election and also step down as an MSP if he is re-elected to Westminster, said: “The General Election in Scotland is about beating the SNP so that we can get all the focus on to creating good jobs, reducing NHS waiting lists and investing in schools.

“The choice is clear: vote together for the Scottish Conservatives to beat the SNP and elect a local MP who will focus on your priorities, or the SNP candidate will win and spend the next five years campaigning for independence.

“The SNP want today to be their independence day – but it can be the day that Scotland votes to be free of the SNP.

“Today is our chance. The opportunity is there to finish the SNP and shut down the independence debate for good.

“In key seats up and down Scotland where it’s a straight choice between my party or the SNP, the only way to beat the nationalists is to vote Scottish Conservative.”