Richard Lochhead
@RichardLochhead
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SNP MSP for Moray. SG Minister for Business, Constituents please email: [email protected]
Joined January 2011
Promoted by Richard Lochhead at Moray Constituency Office, 80 South Street, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1JG.
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Huge outpouring of support for @theSNP tonight in Moray and new members joining up - perhaps not the response the local MP was hoping for.
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A masterclass from @NicolaSturgeon today laying out the economic benefits of Scottish independence and taking and answering every single question from the media. Scotland can do so much better in charge of our own destiny and natural resources.
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Today the Tories have slapped a 75% tax on to a bottle of Scotch Whisky breaking their promise to the industry and using Scotlandās national drink as a cash cow. Biggest tax hike on š„š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ in 40 years. Now 75%! . This is how the U.K. treats a Scottish global success story.
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Energy rich Scotland is facing a 54% increase in the cost of energy - a perfect example of how the U.K. is failing our nation and citizens.
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A UK Cabinet that Scotland didnāt elect has just backed a draft deal on #Brexit that Scotland didnāt vote for and has ignored the pleas of the elected Scots Gov representing Scotland that voted to Remain. No wonder support for Scottish independence is growing.
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I welcomed my colleague Kate Forbesā decision to join the SNP leadership contest given her talents & felt it would give us a real contest: new ideas and a new approach that we desperately need. However, I agree we canāt have a Party Leader whoād vote against same sex marriage.
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No we donāt want expensive nuclear power stations in Scotland that take decades to build and that generate dangerous waste because Scotland can lead the world in the production of clean green energy thanks to our abundance of natural resources.
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The Scots Tories accepted a Brexit referendum being foisted on Scotland that we didnāt vote for and now are opposing an independence referendum that Scotland did vote for. Remember when they used to claim the UK. was a partnership of equals?.
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The Supreme Court decision has certainly stirred the nation and energised the independence movement across Scotland. Our democracy is under threat. In fact the independence movement is now a democracy movement. Does the U.K. Government think it can just ignore this? š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ.
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NEWSFLASH! SNP GAIN! Our fabulous @theSNP candidate @john_SNP4Buckie has just won the Buckie by-election and is elected to @MorayCouncil. A gain from the Lib Dems. Congratulations John! šš“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ.
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Scotland has a Tory Government we didnāt vote for imposing unpopular polices on our country. Now the hapless Tory PM we didnāt vote for isnāt even supported by Tory MSPs. The democratic deficit has never been bigger. The case for Scottish independence has never been stronger.
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So the self appointed Minister for the Union, PM Boris Johnson, has lost the support of the majority of the Scots Tory MPs. Couldnāt make this stuff up.
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I note Morayās Tory MP isnāt in Westminster for todayās debate on MPās Standards relating to second jobs and outside earnings. Because heās doing his other job as an MSP in Holyrood.
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Interesting dynamic of Brexit deal is Tories canāt argue an independent Scotland in EU will be cut off from English market given theyāre arguing deal means minimal barriers between U.K. & EU trade now. And by joining EU, Scotland can regain much of whatās been lost too! š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æšŖšŗ.
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Yet he voted in the House of Commons for a 28% cut in local government funding. As ever, no consistency and lots of hypocrisy.
The Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross MP @Douglas4Moray says he would ensure local authorities would get a fairer funding settlement from the Scottish Government if his party was in power. #PoliticsScotland #coronavirus.
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I see Liz Truss visited a distillery in my constituency today - I take it she was thanking the industry and Scotland for sending billions south in duty to the U.K. Governmentās coffers? š„š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æš°.
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In 2014 Better Together told us that Scotland needed to stay in the Union to ensure financial and political stability.
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Happy Birthday @NicolaSturgeon š - I thought you might like this new picture as a present.
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Mr Ross and myself were invited to join civic leaders & veterans at Morayās scaled back VJ Day ceremonies to represent our constituents and pay our respects. The reason why he failed to turn up is deeply disappointing and disrespectful.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross missed a VJ Day service to work as a linesman at a football match.
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Scottish Labour quite rightly taking a pasting at FMQs today in the Scottish Parliament for helping to usher in Tory administrations in Scotlandās councils.
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Itās not difficult to imagine what the response of Douglas Ross would be if this story had been about the leader of the SNP.
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Tories all staring at their phones, laptops and papers during the vote of no confidence debate - theyāve made a massive blunder and they know it. Couldnāt look more uncomfortable.
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The people can now proceed with their vote of no confidence in the opportunistic and hypocritical Tories and their leader Douglas Ross.
BREAKING: Nicola Sturgeon cleared of breaching the ministerial code.
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Astonishing that the Prime Minister was unprepared for question on #Marr about Scotland. Unable to give considered, coherent answer & just bumbled & stumbled. Reason of course is that he doesnāt take Scotlandās concerns seriously or think theyāre even worth a momentās thought.
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The people of Scotland appear to be increasingly thinking that now is indeed the time. And that Scottish democracy needs self-determination to function. #indyref.
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A few weeks ago @theSNP won a thumping majority of constituency seats, record vote and fourth successive term in government. And a Tory MSP speaking in Parliament has just challenged the SNP to start listening to the people! I think the people have spoken.
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What an amazing team of volunteers.
CMRT call out for a male with a lower leg injury sustained during an avalanche. The climbers were able to self rescue down to the coire floor, they were met by the team and stretchered back to the ski area. Multiple reports of avalanches in Coire an t-Sneachda this afternoon.
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So Labour Leader Keir Starmer says Labour will continue to oppose an Indyref and our democratic rightā¦.and there is no reversing Brexitā¦. and heās not too keen on overseas workersā¦ā¦.in other words it matters not a jot to him whatās best for Scotland or what Scotland needs.
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So it seems the leading Tory candidate for PM wants to dismantle the Scottish Parliament and devolution because Scotland doesnāt vote Tory.
šŗ EXC: Rishi Sunak will circumvent Holyrood to implement key policies if he becomes prime minister because "we cannot trust the SNP to act in the best interests of the Scottish people", his most prominent supporter north of the border has said.
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A black day for Moray as a minority Tory @MorayCouncil administration is ushered in by Labour and others who chose to allow a right wing group of Boris Johnson followers get their hands on power over working with the progressive @moraysnp councillors.
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š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ SCOTLAND SECURES RECORD NUMBER OF INWARD INVESTMENT PROJECTS . OUTPACING BOTH U.K. & EUROPE FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. TOP PERFORMING AREA OF U.K. OUTSIDE OF LONDON FOR EIGHTH YEAR IN A ROW . SCOTLAND +3.3% U.K. -6.4%. EY Annual Attractiveness Survey:.
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The Tories just raided the Scotch Whisky sector in their budget. Well over half of all š„ is produced in #Speyside & Moray. Scotlandās national drink is already taxed to the hilt by UKG. Now going from 70% to 75% in one of biggest ever hikes. Bad news for sector & Scotland.
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Poor Tory spokesperson Murdo Fraser derails his own Budget response by referring to @andywightman book Who Owns Scotland? - everyone answers by pointing at the Tory benches and their multi-millionaire landowning MSPs! š.
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The people of Scotland will not forgive the Conservative Party for doing this to a key Scottish industry. A party rejected by Scotland foisting a disastrous Brexit on Scotland that was also rejected at the ballot box. Even voters who backed Brexit have been utterly betrayed.
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This is why he canāt be both an MP & MSP. Needs to choose.
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We can all be very proud of the role our superb world class university researchers are playing in the global effort to tackle #Corvid19 #ScotlandScienceNation @NicolaSturgeon @JohnSwinney @uni_scot @news_RSE.
Researchers @mrcppu have identified 38 separate proteins produced by the virus that causes COVID-19. They will now use this information to generate antibodies against them as part of a collaboration with @UofGlasgow . ššš @UoDLifeSciences .
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Why are Unionists unable and unwilling to defend the Union? Can only attack independence. Need to be challenged to answer what remaining in the Union means for Scotland. Do they have any vision for the future?.
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Tory MP Donald Cameron has just said that there should be no limit on where Westminster decides expenditure in Scotland irrespective of devolved responsibilities. Zero respect for Scottish democracy & devolution from even the Tories that sit in the Scottish Parliament.
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Conservative PM Boris Johnson thinks itās āmonstrousā that we scrapped higher education tuition fees in Scotland. Average debt for English student: .Ā£40,280.Average debt for Scottish student:.Ā£13,890 . (Published 11th June 2020 by Student Loan Company). #DevolutionDisaster.
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MESSAGE TO BORIS JOHNSON WHO IS VISITING MORAY TODAY: Thanks to your Party, the number of people supported by the local food bank between April and September increased by 74% to 2470. Why not use your visit to thank @MorayFoodPlus for all they do & hear what they have to say?.
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Iām being contacted by lots of people in Moray extremely worried and shocked by Boris Johnsonās victory in England. They are joining @theSNP. Want to help. Desperate for Scotland to escape the Tories and choose a more progressive path.
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Scotland benefits greatly from the many globally respected scientists such as @devisridhar who choose to live in our country and work in our universities. We value their contribution and expertise at this crucial time. Thank you to you all for helping us get through #COVID19.
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Astonishing that Tory MPs in England were willing to vote against Boris Johnson and lose the whip and potentially end their careers when Scots Tory MPs whose seats will be hardest hit by no deal Brexit didnāt rebel. Truly astounding state of affairs.
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So as an alternative to statehood and Scotland getting governments we vote for, Labour are proposing a law to stop Westminster ignoring Scotland? Not much of an alternative but certainly an admission that the Union is totally broken!.
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A member of my family will be awaiting the result of a Covid test, so Iāve decided to voluntarily self-isolate. This unfortunately means I will not be attending the Moray constituency count in person today. It wouldnāt feel right given the number of people who will be there. š¤š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ.
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A reminder that every Tory MP including Scots Tory Leader Douglas Ross who backed Boris Johnson for PM is culpable. They were warned aplenty he was going to be disastrous.
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University, college, work, choose whatever you feel is the best route for you and follow your dreams. donāt worry if you change your mind later on and donāt feel you have to take advice from TV personalities on Twitter.
Donāt go to university. Find an honest way of earning a living. Read widely. Collect books.
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Not a great day for senior Labour figures to be talking up the Union and talking down Scottish independence.
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Even the New York Times is taking more of an interest in whatās happening than Scotlandās silent Tory MPs and MSPs.
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Scotlandās not even a bystander as our future is bartered away by Tories at EU negotiations in a Brexit process we rejected at the ballot box. Is there any better illustration of why we need to take control of our own destiny & have our own voice on the international stage? š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ.
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Yet again Labour MSPs asking Scottish Government to find funding from the block grant to mitigate damage to our society from Tory decisions in Westminster. Why donāt they back independence & join us in removing the ability of governments we donāt vote for to inflict this damage.
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Wow! Covid PCR test result for my son back in less than 24hrs. Itās negative. My voluntary self-isolation now over. Look out @moraysnp team, Iām on my way to election count at the @MoraySports to see how our list votes are doing. Thank u our amazing NHS! š @NHSGrampian @theSNP.
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U.K. Government raking in Ā£22m a day from North Sea. Meanwhile Scotland awaits more help to cope with rocketing energy bills.
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Europe sending Scotland love. Truly astonishing. Powerful and emotional. š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æšŖšŗ.
Singing of Auld Lang Syne starts in the European Parliament as the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement is approved by MEPs.
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And neither should this Tory be a member of both the Holyrood and Westminster parliaments at the same time.
āThat does look like a conflict of interest and something we shouldnāt haveā. Scottish Conservative leader ā¦@Douglas4Morayā© says it is āwrongā for MPs to be paid by companies with a financial interest in decisions taken in Parliament
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The results of a poll conducted by Tory Leader Douglas Rossā local newspapers in Moray just in. 8888 votes cast & 80% of his constituents said he was wrong to table a vote of no confidence in the First Minister. Heās been humiliated by his own constituents & is so out of touch.
Four in five disagree with Douglas Ross' decision to intimate no confidence vote against Nicola Sturgeon
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Speaks volumes that Scots Tories put more energy into responding to @theSNP walk out of the House of Commons than standing up for Scotland in the House of Commons.
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Employment law is reserved to the U.K. - perhaps the Labour Party should back Scottish independence and giving Holyrood the powers we need rather than misrepresenting issues like this in an attempt to score points against @theSNP.
The clock is ticking but Scots aren't being paid for their time under the SNP. A staggering Ā£1.4 billion of unpaid overtime was racked up in one year alone. A fair day's pay for a fair day's work should be at the heart of our economy. RTšš¹.
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Because itās eve of poll, the Tory leader in Scotland who is a part time MP as well as an MSP talked about how much he cares about our local councils, so hereās a reminder of his House of Commons voting record.
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Scotland is outperforming the U.K. on the three key employment indicators (unemployment, employment and inactivity). Recent reports show weāve created up to 100,000 new green jobs & weāre outperforming U.K. on this too. So much potential! . Lets focus more on this @theSNP š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ.
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How I feel. 1. gutted we just fell short in Moray. 2. so proud of our campaign, candidate & team. 3. stunned by @theSNP success nationally 4. terrified of what a Johnson Government will now do. 5. More determined than ever to defeat the Tories & win independence for my country.š“ó §ó ¢ó ³ó £ó “ó æ.
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Dear Scottish Labour are you Yes yet?.
Conservative GAIN Hartlepool from Labour.
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As the Holyrood election gets closer, weāre supposed to believe the Tories have suddenly gone from being scathing & dismissive of the SNPās policy of free tuition in HE to thinking itās the best policy for our young people. SNP in office delivered. Tories in office rejected.
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Got their photocall but now their support for Scotch š„ sector has evaporated along with the angelās share. The freeze on duty now scrapped after 24 days & a bottle of whisky will be taxed at 78% (+16% approx) A vital Scottish sector caught up in the UKās financial chaos.
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The 11 Tory leadership hopefuls provide 11 more reasons why Scotland needs independence.
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Speaking as someone living in #Elgin which has a strong sense of community, home to international businesses, famous cathedral, wonderful heritage & talented people, condescending Tory @michaelgove shows contempt & ignorance reminding us why he couldnāt get elected in Scotland.
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Trying to imagine our political opponents publishing the economic case for the Union right now.
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Funny how Scots Tories take to streets over giving councils power over workplace car park charges but barely bat an eyelid over rising poverty, plight of pensioners with poorest pension in developed world, impact of welfare reform on families, EU nationals feeling unwelcome etc.
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So the then Tory Secretary of State admits that Scotlandās fishing communities were the Toriesā lowest priority in the Brexit negotiations. Fishing in many times more important to Scotland compared to the U.K. as a whole. We can never trust Westminster.
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Tory MP votes for red tape and bureaucracy. In face of backlash, same Tory MP complains about red tape and bureaucracy.
Douglas Ross: Fishermen and processors being let down by government bureaucracy
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The Party that gave us food banks, has overseen rising in-work poverty and is cutting Universal Credit, that appoints unelected millionaire donors to Ministerial posts etc etc shamelessly comes up with this newsline.
Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross will describe First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as 'detached from working class communities' in a speech on Sunday.
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The small minded insular Scottish Tories gone into overdrive attacking Scotlandās First Minister for going overseas to boost trade & international links. Not only are the Tories damaging our nationās prospects, they donāt want anyone to mitigate the damage!.
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Like Jacob Rees Mogg, the House or Commons still seems to be stuck in the 19th century. Seems theyāll now need to wait an age in long queues to vote. In the Scottish Parliament, we use touch screens.
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The same U.K. Tories who have just turned their backs on Europe and ended free movement to apparantly make Britain great again and take back control are now telling the Scots that recognition of borders is divisive and imaginary.
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Iāve received a positive PCR test after being alerted as a close contact by the app on my phone. I have no symptoms so far and am very relieved that I am double vaccinated. Iāll continue working remotely during self-isolation. Thank you to Scotlandās NHS š.
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I congratulate the new MP for Moray but Parliament and Scottish & UK politics, and Moray, has lost one of our finest MPs in @AngusRobertson.
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Important issues in the news today re student debt. Hereās a fact: Student debt in SNP run Scotland = Ā£13,800. Average student debt in Tory run England Ā£35,950 (Student Loan Company 2018-19 stats). Average student debt in England is over two & a half times the Scottish level.
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This Tory MP was elected in Moray on the back of over inflated promises to his local fishing communities heās broken. This is all about distracting from his Partyās betrayal of our fisheries and seafood sectors.
This urgently needs investigated for a possible breach of the ministerial code. We simply cannot turn a blind eye when SNP government ministers publish sensitive information which has security implications around our allocation of the Covid-19 vaccine.
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I expect our fishing communities are preparing to gut the Scottish Conservative Party who chased their votes with outlandish promises they knew they couldnāt honour. History repeating itself on way out of the EU just as they sold out the sector on the way in the 1970s.
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The @theSNP Leadership contest is about who can best govern our country, deliver economic and social progress and achieve Scottish independence - itās not about any one particular ābillā.
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The PM has resigned. Scotland now faces being governed by an extreme right winger that we didnāt vote for. Leading a Tory Government we didnāt vote for. That will impose a hard Brexit we didnāt vote for. Scottish independence is about to get a lot more popular.
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So UK Gov keep Ā£167m proceeds from sale of a @CrownEstateScot asset and Ā£160m of farm support EU gave UK to pass to Scotland. Ā£327m lost to Scotlandās rural communities because Tories think they can get away with it.
Michael Gove finally publicly admits to the Scottish Parliament, that the Ā£160m of disputed convergence cash has gone for ever, but adds that Scotlandās unique farming system and topography required āspecific levels of support.ā. Read more in this week's copy, on sale tomorrow.
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BREAKING NEWS. @TheMorayCouncil now has a minority @theSNP administration after the collapse of the Independent/Tory coalition. Best of luck to my colleagues who have shown real leadership. I know they will serve the people of Moray well.
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My young son asked me what I was looking at. I showed him. Heās just said āthatās not democracyā.
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Tories spend Ā£1bn of our taxes bribing DUP & Ā£40bn plus for Brexit divorce bill. The @theSNP invest in public services & protect Scotland.
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Today, Labourās leader visited Scotland for the first time to tell the people that canāt have what they want.
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Just been attacked by a Tory on twitter who offensively calls me an āethnic blood and soil SNP figureā. His profile says ā Britons never shall be slavesā. Lots of flags and a picture of Boris Johnson too! #selfawareness.
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Soon weāll have a PM that Scotland didnāt vote for at the head of a Government we didnāt vote for, hell-bent on delivering a Brexit we didnāt vote for.
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Says the MP who just said a few days ago he was launching āunrelenting warā on @theSNP.
The First Minister just doesnāt get it. We need to take Scotland forward and recover from this crisis together, not go back to the divisions of the past.
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