Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland could hold 'pivotal position' in election
SNP leader says the PM remains on course to win and suggests the size of her majority could come down to the outcome in Scotland.
Thursday 1 June 2017 20:50, UK
Scottish voters could be in a "pivotal position" in the General Election as polls narrow with a week to go, Nicola Sturgeon has said.
While the SNP leader and First Minister said Theresa May is still on course to win, she suggested the size of the Conservative majority could come down to the outcome in Scotland and urged voters not to give the Prime Minister a "lifeline".
The Scottish Conservatives are polling second in Scotland behind the SNP, and both parties have framed the election as a two-horse race north of the border.
A new UK-wide YouGov poll for The Times puts the Conservatives on 42%, down one point since the end of last week, with Labour up three points on 39% and the Liberal Democrats down two on 7%, level with UKIP.
The latest Scottish poll, by Ipsos Mori for STV, has the SNP on 43%, the Tories and Labour both on 25% and the Lib Dems on 5%.
Campaigning in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said: "With a week to go, Scotland is really finding itself in a potentially pivotal position in this election.
"We've seen Theresa May exposed as a weak and evasive Prime Minister who can't even answer questions about the impact of her own cuts on pensioners and hard-working families across the country.
"As the polls narrow across the rest of the UK, yes the Tories might still be on track to win this election, but whether or not they increase their majority could come down to the outcome in Scotland.
"That gives Scotland a choice - do we send Tory MPs to be rubber stamps for what Theresa May wants to do or do we take the opportunity to keep the Tories in check and elect SNP MPs who will stand up for Scotland and make sure our interests are to the fore."
Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie were also campaigning in the city.
Mr Rennie began his "flying finish" to the campaign with a visit in Edinburgh West, one of the party's top target seats, while Ms Dugdale was in Edinburgh East.
The Lib Dem leader said: "My message to voters in these areas is give us your vote and help us beat the SNP.
"These seats are the difference in changing the direction of this country. A vote for a Liberal Democrat is a vote against another divisive independence referendum, it's a vote for a chance to reject a bad deal on Brexit and it's a vote on prioritising investment in our services like mental health."