Ross targets pro-union voters to pressure Humza Yousaf

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has called for the backing of Labour and Lib Dem voters at the next election in a bid to pile pressure on Humza Yousaf.

Ross also took aim at the first minister's track record at his party's conference in Aberdeen.

He wants to use the general election to "send Humza Yousaf packing" - though the result does not determine who leads the Scottish government.

The Tories have not won a general election in Scotland since 1955.

In his speech on Saturday, Mr Ross said: "If pro-UK voters want to kick the nationalists out, then they need to unite behind the Scottish Conservatives in key seats.

"Together, we can beat the SNP and take Scotland forward."

It comes after Labour, who easily took by-election victories in Kingswood and Wellingborough, lost the Rochdale constituency in Greater Manchester to George Galloway, leader of the Workers Party of Britain.

Labour had withdrawn support for their candidate Azhar Ali after remarks widely alleged to be antisemitic. Mr Galloway has long campaigned on causes related to the Middle East, including for Palestinian rights.

Later on Friday, in a speech outside Downing Street, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the UK must face down extremists trying to "deliberately" undermine the country's "multi-faith democracy"- but did not set out details of any new policies.

No 10's lectern set up is usually reserved for big announcements such as elections.

Mr Sunak had earlier attended the Scottish Conservative conference in Aberdeen.

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During Saturday's conference, Mr Ross highlighted the first minister's WhatsApp messages revealed by the UK Covid inquiry, in which he said he was "winging it".

The Highlands and Islands MSP told delegates: "We all knew that long ago. Humza Yousaf has been found out in every job he's ever done.

"He was the transport secretary when the trains never ran on time, and celebrated the launch of a ferry with painted-on windows.

"He was the justice secretary who left the police at breaking point and brought in the disastrous Hate Crime Act.

"He was the health secretary who let waiting times spiral out of control and Audit Scotland said had no vision for the NHS. Only in the SNP would he fail upwards."

North Sea oil and the constitution. Two traditional Tory policy areas they hope supporters will unite around.

You couldn't get away from the energy message at this conference - as the North Sea helicopters flew into the airport beside the venue.

The Conservatives think they're tapping into a rich well of support in this north-east heartland, identifying North Sea workers they think might have been left high and dry by Labour and the SNP.

The nationalists are the Tories' main worry here - hence the call to pro-union voters to unite behind Douglas Ross and build support.

The party in Scotland thinks they can combat what they call the SNP's "obsession" with independence by setting out pledges on bread and butter issues.

They believe voters are more worried about getting a GP appointment and feeling safe on the streets - and also about household bills.

We heard a lot at this conference about tax-cutting, which attracted great applause in the leader's speech.

Douglas Ross said he was lobbying both the prime minister and the chancellor.

A cut in National Insurance (which has already been delivered) is a favourite way, they think, to circumvent Scottish government taxation policy.

So, everything is packed up here at conference and the Tories go forth into a general election campaign - at some point this year.

The great paradox at conference was this relatively upbeat mood - whilst down south things are looking a little more precarious.

The party hope to hold seats and make gains and the north-east is part of that key battleground.

On Friday Rishi Sunak said he expected his party to make gains in Scotland at the next general election, despite recent polling.

He also said he was "incredibly encouraged" by what he was hearing and seeing on the ground while in Scotland, adding that the Conservatives in Scotland had done well in recent council by-elections.

Mr Sunak added: "I am confident we will increase the number of seats at the next general election in Scotland and that's because our message is resonating."

He also said his UK government would continue to "champion" the North Sea industries as he pointed to how it could transition to greener forms of energy in the future.

Rishi Sunak at the Scottish Conservative conference in Aberdeen

However he refused to say whether his government planned to raise or extend the windfall tax on energy firms.

And he accused the SNP of "virtue signalling" over the future of oil and gas.

The SNP have vowed to oppose Labour's plans to increase the windfall tax.

It was introduced in 2022 to help fund a scheme to lower energy bills for households and businesses and applies to profits made from extracting UK oil and gas.

Sir Keir Starmer wants to raise the tax on fossil fuel firms from 75% of excess profits to 78%, while also extending it to 2029.