THE Scottish Tory manifesto was branded the “desperate last gasp of an irrelevant party” following its launch in Edinburgh today.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made the journey north of the border to join the outgoing Scottish leader of his party, Douglas Ross, as they made their pitch to cling to power.

Introducing the PM, Mr Ross stated his party had a “laser-like focus on the real priorities of the Scottish public,” before outlining plans to recruit 1,000 more police and GPs, and eliminate the intermediate 21p income tax rate levied by the Scottish government — plans which no prime minister since devolution can deliver.

The Scots Tories’ plan to cut national insurance was the sole pledge constitutionally deliverable by any government elected in July.

The beleaguered Prime Minister, mired in betting allegations against his colleagues, took the opportunity to take a swipe at the SNP for “turning Scotland into the high tax capital of the UK” and claimed Labour wanted to “tax the UK’s oil and gas sector and the 100,000 Scottish jobs it supports into oblivion.”

SNP candidate for Glasgow North Alison Thewliss called the launch an opportunity for Mr Sunak and Mr Ross to “compare notes on which one has run the worst campaign.”

She said: “They are both on their last legs as leaders, their party is already finished in this campaign.

“The Tories deserve the democratic drubbing that is coming their way.”

Labour candidate for Edinburgh South, Ian Murray commented: “Voters can see the Scottish Tories’ empty promises for what they are — the desperate last gasp of an irrelevant party trying to distract and divide. 

“The Tories have had a decade and a half to deliver on their pledges but instead they gambled with families’ savings and put party before country.”