Rachael Hamilton

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVES

- 

THIS week, the Scottish Conservatives unveiled bold new plans to give councils more freedom in how they spend their budgets - something that could result in a transformation in local services.

For two decades, the SNP government has hoarded power at Holyrood, while stripping councils of funding and the freedom to put the priorities of local people first. Scots are fed up to the back teeth of paying more, only to watch as frontline services decline.

John Swinney's party has focused on its own agenda while ignoring the issues that actually matter to communities. That's especially true in rural areas, where people have to contend with higher costs and fewer services without that being reflected in the current funding formula.

In rural communities like my own constituency, there are usually far fewer options when it comes to transport, healthcare and facilities - certainly when compared with the Central Belt - yet politicians in Edinburgh take little account of that.