Badenoch Backs Findlay for Scotland's Next First Minister

0:00From across Europe, powered by AI, this is Europe News Today. I'm Cory with the story. Kimi Botanock, just through her way behind Scottish Tory leader, Russell Finley, to become Scotland's next First Minister. She's making it clear the conservatives are the real defenders of the United Kingdom, especially with Holyrood elections coming up on May 7th. Meanwhile, S&P boss John Swinney is pushing hard for a second independence referendum if his party grabs a majority. Botanock is countering that by praising Finley as tougher and more committed to battling sea policies every day. She's reaching out to voters from all sides, urging anyone who values keeping Scotland in the UK to back the Tories no matter their usual party. And she's slamming rivals like Reform, UK, the Greens, and Lib Dems for treating the election like a game. On the economic front, Botanock highlighted Scotland's ballooning welfare costs, projected to jump from 7.4 billion pounds this year to 9.2 billion by 2031.

1:03She stressed the need for conservatives and parliament to push lower taxes, more jobs and welfare that helps the vulnerable without trapping folks in. Dependency. With the union on the line and elections weeks away, the Tories are positioning themselves as the only serious fight against separatism aiming to. Never real change for Scotland and the whole UK.