Tory leadership: Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak target Scottish votes at Perth hustings

Leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak are to pitch for the votes of Scottish Conservative members at a hustings in Perth.

The contenders to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister are taking part in a series of events around the UK.

Both have stated their opposition to a referendum on Scottish independence and want their policies to apply UK-wide.

And each has policies to challenge the Scottish government, calling for greater scrutiny of the SNP’s record.

The SNP said neither candidate was offering a solution to the cost of living crisis, and that both would boost support for independence.

The event in Perth will give local Tory members the chance to question the candidates on Scottish issues as well as other topics such as the cost of living.

Both have stated their opposition to an independence referendum, despite the Scottish government’s plans to hold a vote in October 2023.

And they have set out a series of policies aimed at strengthening the union and increasing the visibility of the UK government north of the border.

Mr Sunak has set out proposals to reform a team of advisers within Downing Street known as the “union unit”.

The former chancellor said his future reforms would ensure “every single” government department operated UK-wide, despite key policy areas such as education and health having been in the control of Holyrood since devolution in 1999.

He has also called for Scotland’s top civil servant to testify before a Westminster committee on an annual basis, while requiring the Scottish government to publish consistent data on the delivery of key services so these can be compared UK-wide.

He said: “The future of the United Kingdom is bright but our union must work together, each nation shoulder to shoulder, to get there.

“We must defeat the collective challenges threatening the health of our public services. Under my plans, the UK government will play its part, but the same must be reciprocated by Holyrood.”