Theresa May is to make her first campaign visit to Scotland ahead of June’s snap general election.
The PM is expected to ask Scots to vote for her to “strengthen the Union”, the economy and her hand in Brexit talks.
In London, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn will talk to young people, while the Lib Dem’s Tim Farron says he wants to become the leader of the UK opposition.In Glasgow, Nicola Sturgeon will say the SNP “will not let the Tories drag Scotland backwards”. The UK goes to the polls on 8 June for the general election, five weeks after local authority elections across Scotland, as well as in England and Wales.
During her visit, May will visit a business and speak at a campaign rally, introduced by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.
May will discuss the UK government’s modern industrial strategy
During her visit, May will visit a business and speak at a campaign rally, introduced by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson.
May will discuss the UK government’s modern industrial strategy.
At the rally, she is expected to say: “My message to the people of Scotland today is clear: if you vote for me, it will strengthen my hand in the Brexit negotiations.
“It will strengthen the Union, strengthen the economy, and together the UK and Scotland will flourish. Because when Scotland is flourishing, the rest of the United Kingdom is flourishing too.”
Campaigning on Friday, Ms Sturgeon said: “The truth is the more Tory MPs Westminster has, the heavier the price Scotland will pay.
“A free hand for the Tories would mean even more cuts, more attacks on low-income families and a hard Brexit.
“The SNP is the only party that can stand up to the Tories, and working with the Scottish parliament SNP MPs will fight these devastating policies.”
Scottish Labour is expected to campaign in Edinburgh, while the Lib Dems will be out in Helensburgh and Kirkintilloch.
Meanwhile, Corbyn will urge young potential voters to overcome “apathy and resignation” because it only favours the Tories.
He will highlight figures showing 2.4 million young people are missing from the electoral register.
The Labour leader is expected to say: “The Conservatives are more than happy with this state of affairs.
“Apathy and resignation will secure them seats on election day.”
In Leeds, Farron will reiterate his claim that he could replace Corbyn as leader of the official opposition. He has also said his party is aiming to regain the Scottish seats it lost in 2015.
Scottish Labour is expected to campaign in Edinburgh, while the Lib Dems will be out in Helensburgh and Kirkintilloch.
Mrs May’s official reason for holding an election is to strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations. She claims Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dems will try to destabilise and frustrate the process in Parliament.
But it is not that unusual for prime ministers who have tiny Commons majorities to hold an election to tighten their grip on power. As things stand, it does not take many Conservative backbenchers - MPs who are not part of the government - to decide they don’t like something the government is doing to get it derailed. Mrs May’s party has a big opinion poll lead over Labour so she will be hoping the election will see her getting a bigger majority in the House of Commons.
May is also tied to the promises made by the Conservatives at the 2015 election, when David Cameron was prime minister. She has made a few changes - such as backing grammar schools and easing plans to reduce the deficit - but an election gives her the chance to set out her own vision for Britain.
The average of five opinion polls published in April puts the Conservatives on a little under 43% compared with a little over 25% for Labour - a lead of more than 17%. This would translate into a comfortable win for Mrs May’s party at an election if that’s how people voted. The Liberal Democrats were on 10%, UKIP 11% and the Greens on 4%.