Russell Findlay has warned against embracing the “politics of envy”, after the leader of Reform UK in Scotland said during a TV debate he owns six houses, five cars and six boats.
Scottish Conservative leader Mr Findlay said it is “questionable” whether Malcolm Offord’s comments, made during the STV election debate on Tuesday, would impress people “struggling with the cost of living”.
Lord Offord insisted he was not seeking to “boast”, as he told how he had gone to London 40 years ago “full of ambition”, adding: “I worked hard, and I was successful.
“Today, I own six houses, five cars and six boats.
“In a 40-year business career, I’ve employed hundreds of thousands of people and paid £45 million in tax.”
Mr Findlay said the Tories are the “party of aspiration” and that hard work should be rewarded.
He said: “It’s slightly questionable whether people who are struggling with the cost of living would be impressed by someone bragging about owning multiple boats and properties, but I think we should be careful not to embrace the politics of envy that you see from people like (SNP leader) John Swinney and (Scottish Green co-leader) Ross Greer.
“We are the party of aspiration. We are the party that want to see hard work rewarded, not sneered at.”
Mr Findlay was speaking while visiting Union Bridge, which links Scotland and England, on the election trail on Thursday.
He said the “threat is very real” on another independence referendum.
Mr Findlay said: “You just have to listen to John Swinney.
“In the very first week of this election campaign, he went up the top of the hill in Edinburgh to join flag- waving nationalists who only care about breaking up our country.
“He said repeatedly that he’s going to win a majority, and with that demand a referendum.
“He’s also said that in the first week of the new Parliament, he’ll bring a vote before Parliament demanding another referendum, which the people of Scotland do not want.
“So this idea that we can wish it away, like Labour and the Lib Dems seem to think, that there’s no threat.
“They’re naive and they are complacent, and as far as Reform UK goes, they are a fake unionist party.
“We are the only party that will stand up to the SNP, stand up proudly for Scotland’s place in the union, and it’s critical that voters across Scotland unite behind the Scottish Conservative Party, using their peach-coloured ballot paper on May 7.”
SNP candidate for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Karen Adam, said: “The Tories have nothing to offer the people of Scotland.
“John Swinney is firmly focused on the priorities of the people of Scotland – driving further improvements in our NHS, the cost of living crisis and offering people hope through a fresh start with independence.
“That trusted and reliable leadership is on the ballot on Thursday and it only comes through voting SNP.”