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First Minister John Swinney acknowledged in the first televised debate of the general election campaign that the SNP needed to “rebuild the trust of the Scottish people”.
Facing a serious threat from a revitalised Labour Party, Mr Swinney acknowledged the SNP faced “tough times” but added: “Rebuilding trust starts with recognising there are challenges to overcome – and I recognise that.”
“We have a lot of work to do, which is why I am sending a message of hope for Scotland’s future.”
He said Scotland “deserves better” and blamed the “dysfunctional” Westminster system for “austerity, Brexit and the cost of living crisis”.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the country was “desperate for change”.
He added: “After 14 years of Conservative chaos and failure, Scotland cannot afford to miss this opportunity.”
Mr Swinney replied: “I completely agree that this Conservative government must be defeated.”
Asked by Mr Swinney where the money would come from to make spending cuts if Labour came to power, Mr Sarwar said: “I don’t accept that there will be any cuts.”
“We have set out where the additional revenue will come from, both for current investment in public services and for longer-term investment.”
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross called on voters to unite to oust the SNP.
He claimed: “In many constituencies across Scotland there will be a head-to-head contest between our party and the SNP. If the SNP win they will claim every constituency as a mandate for independence.”
Mr Ross clashed with Mr Swinney over whether the SNP would support the granting of new licences for North Sea oil and gas development.
Mr Swinney said he wanted to see “climate suitability tests” in any decisions relating to the oil and gas sector, but Mr Ross interjected: “No. John Swinney and the SNP are opposed to new oil and gas licences.”
Meanwhile, Mr Sarwar promised that Labour would “speak not only of words but of actions, protecting jobs and investing hundreds of millions of pounds” in Grangemouth, where an oil refinery is scheduled to close.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton accused both the Scottish and UK governments of “losing sight of what’s important” to people.
He added: “I feel like I’m working so hard and yet I’m falling further and further behind.”
“We desperately need hope and a change of direction. The Scottish Liberal Democrats stand for hope and we are part of the change that is coming.”