A SENIOR SNP figure has said that it “really doesn’t matter” who’s at the helm of the Tory Party at the next General Election.
Toni Giugliano (below), the SNP's former policy convener who is standing to become Falkirk’s next MP, told The National that the Tory Party have “descended into farce” with all the leadership challenge rumours and that “it’s clear that the Tories are done”.
It comes after a week of speculation about Rishi Sunak’s position. Tory rebels have reportedly talked up the prospect of Penny Mordaunt as a new party leader who could be acceptable to both the Tory right and moderates if there is a last-ditch change before the General Election.
This has been denied by several Tory MPs and ministers seeking to quell the speculation.
Health minister Andrea Leadsom, a former leadership contender, claimed that the Tories are not “massively divided” but there are “one or two” plotters seeking to split the party.
“It really doesn't matter who is at the helm of the sinking ship,” Giugliano said.
“I really get the sense that people are scunnered. They want the Tories out, regardless of their constitutional views or opinions on whatever policy area. Most people can unite on the fact that it's time for the Tories to go, and they are done.
“So it really doesn't matter who's leading the Tories at the top.”
READ MORE: Penny Mordaunt ‘tight-lipped’ amid questions over alleged leadership plot
He added: “What Scotland needs, first and foremost, is the chance to decide its own future. Whether it's Labour or the Tories, the Westminster system has failed Scotland.”
SNP MP Alison Thewliss, meanwhile, told the Sunday National that there is “nothing the Tories can do that would repair the damage they have inflicted on Scotland” over the last 14 years - adding that it is “unforgivable”.
“So while the Tories desperately scramble about, rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic, people across Scotland are getting ready to get rid of their cruel and corrupt government,” she said.
“Voting SNP at the Westminster election is the only way to rid our country of Tory MPs once and for all by becoming an independent country.”
The latest poll, published by YouGov on Thursday, showed Conservative support had fallen to 19%, the same as the lowest share recorded by the party in a YouGov poll during Liz Truss’s brief tenure as prime minister.
The poll gave Labour a 25-point lead over the Conservatives, while Reform was only four points behind the Tories on 15%, the party’s highest level of support yet.
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