Findlay told MSPs: “John Swinney said this week that if his Budget doesn’t pass we are playing right into the hands of Elon Musk. Yes, you heard that right.
“So, the SNP’s budget will cause misery to hardworking Scots and struggling businesses but in the mind of Scotland’s populist First Minister that’s a price we all must pay to defeat the shadowy forces of populism.
“Was it John Swinney’s New Year’s resolution to distract from his failings by making ludicrous claims such as this?”
READ MORE
Mr Swinney hit back by describing Mr Findlay as the “shadowy face of populism”, The First Minister went on: “I would say, presiding officer, that a Budget that protects business from a challenging trading environment, that delivers a real terms increase in local government funding, that invests to reform and improve the National Health Service, that gives a huge boost to housing investment, that takes steps to eradicate child poverty, and invests in a clean green transition for the Scottish economy and environment, is a Budget worth supporting.
“Mr Findlay should come to his senses and vote for the Government’s budget.”
In response, the Scottish Tory boss said the no need for his party to do anything as Labour had already handed the Scottish Government a “blank cheque”.
On Tuesday, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told the BBC his MSPs would abstain, allowing the minority SNP administration to get their budget through.
Mr Findlay told MSPs: “Labour have folded and the budget will pass. Everybody knows that, and the First Minister must be absolutely delighted at the weakness of Scottish Labour.
“This has been the cheapest Budget deal in 26 years of devolution, and it’s typical Labour helping the SNP … At least though, this does mean that John Swinney won’t have to strike any damaging deals with the Greens as he’s done so often in the past.”
He then asked the First Minister to rule out “any new taxes or extremist policies being demanded by the Greens.”
In response, the First Minister said he had already made clear that “there will be no further tax changes from this Government in advance of the 2026 elections”.
“I hope that gives some tax certainty if Mr Findlay is genuinely seeking that clarity,” he added.
“And as for a dialogue with other political parties … the Government’s door remains open to dialogue about the contents of the Government’s Budget.”
READ MORE
The First Minister said the budget had “touched a raw nerve with the Conservatives”, as he laid out the organisations, including Save the Children and the Scottish Retail Consortium, who have called for it to pass.
“This is a Budget for unity in Scotland and it’s not a surprise that the populist Conservatives are having nothing to do with it,” Mr Swinney said.