BREAKING: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expected to visit Highlands today after UK general election call
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to visit the Highlands today less than 24 hours after firing the starting pistol on the UK general election campaign.
Yesterday evening the Conservative Party leader announced voters would go to the polls on July 4, earlier than many expected, despite opinion polls favouring a Labour victory.
Sunak is looking to boost prospects for seats in the north-east and Moray, where it is expected to be a straight fight between his party and the SNP.
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The venue or venues for the visit are not yet known.
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “The Scottish Conservatives are ready to take the fight to the SNP and beat the nationalists in crucial seats up and down Scotland.
“This election in Scotland is a huge opportunity to defeat the SNP and put an end to their obsession with independence for good.”
Speaking outside Number 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, Mr Sunak made the economy and combating the global security threats facing the UK the key elements of his pitch to the nation.
In response, Sir Keir Starmer told voters: “Together we can stop the chaos, we can turn the page, we can start to rebuild Britain.”
First Minister John Swinney said he is looking forward to leading the SNP in this general election campaign.
He added: “This is the moment to remove the Tory government and put Scotland first by voting SNP. We will work night and day to protect them from the damage done by Westminster.
“The SNP offers a better future to the broken Westminster consensus.”
