The National:

FOR all the talk about independence being dead at this year’s Tory conference, the Union doesn't seem to be that alive, either.

In case you missed it, newly appointed Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay told conference on Sunday that the “independence dream is dead”, blaming the SNP for “bitter divisive arguments about breaking up the United Kingdom”.

Sounds like the SNP aren’t the only ones feeling a bit bitter, Russell.

READ MORE: Russell Findlay blasted after getting living wage wrong in BBC interview

Except there’s one problem – no one bothered to turn up to hear about the alternative to independence.

(Image: @LewisMcKenzie94, via Twitter/X) Findlay was speaking at a conference event on Sunday afternoon titled The Future of the Union, appearing alongside Welsh Tory leader Andrew Davies.

Yet, as Lewis McKenzie – political reporter at the Scottish Sun – pointed out, barely anyone showed up.

There are only a handful of faces scattered across the room – and many of them look like they’re press, not even regular conference-goers.

It says something when the only people who turn up are those who get paid to listen to you.

(Image: @LewisMcKenzie94, via Twitter/X) Let’s not forget, Findlay lent his support to Liz Truss when she was in the running for Tory leader – and look where that got us.

We’re not too sure you’re qualified to make such a sweeping judgement call, Russell, especially if no one can be bothered to listen.

If indy is dead, we’re not sure what that makes the Tories. They certainly don’t seem that alive to us.

The SNP don't seem to think so either, with one party source telling us: “Russell Findlay’s first days in charge go from bad to worse.” 

They continued: “After finding out his party only has 7000 members, to embarrassingly not knowing the living wage on the Sunday show, now no one has turned up to see him at his own party conference.”