Humza Yousaf attacks 'extremist Westminster politicians' as he slams Suella Braverman's migrant plan
Humza Yousaf took aim at Suella Braverman in his main stage speech to the SNP Conference, accusing her of using "dog-whistle language"
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Humza Yousaf took aim at Suella Braverman in his main stage speech to the SNP Conference, accusing her of using "dog-whistle language".
Branding her an "extremist Westminster politician", the SNP leader said Scotland’s immigration policies should be "decided here in Scotland".
Giving a speech on the main stage of the SNP Conference in Aberdeen, he said: “At the Tory conference, the UK Home Secretary warned about what she described as a ‘hurricane’ of migrants coming to the UK, and other western, countries.
“When I hear that dog-whistle language it makes me shudder.”
WATCH NOW: Humza Yousaf addresses the SNP Conference
He added: “It makes me resolve to work even harder for independence – so that Scotland’s immigration policies are decided here in Scotland.
“And our immigration policies can never ever be decided by extremist Westminster politicians.”
Yousaf continued: “It says something about the modern-day Tory Party that such rhetoric from the Home Secretary is seen as a pitch for the leadership.
“Suella Braverman’s most compassionate moment came when she stood on the tail of a guide dog, conference.
“But to be serious – the Tories making the culture wars their election strategy – it says the Tories know they are defeated. They’re done.”
He also used his speech to attack Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party saying he has "no idea" what they stand for, adding: "The closer he gets to Downing Street, the further he retreats from his principles.
He promised the rape clause - which mandates women who have been raped to provide proof before they can access benefits - will be abolished in Scotland.
Hitting out at Starmer, Yousaf said: “Once upon a time, he agreed with the SNP that it was abhorrent to force women who had been raped to provide proof before they could access child benefits.
“But, now Labour say they plan to apply Tory policies like the rape clause – in their words – ‘more fairly’.”
Yousaf also told SNP delegates he believes a “sustained majority” for Scottish independence can be built by focusing on the “why” rather than the “how”.
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Yousaf used his speech to attack Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party saying he has "no idea" what they stand for
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He said he wanted to move away from arguments on process, telling the conference: “I have no doubt that we can turn that half into a sustained majority.
“And we will do so when we concentrate not on the how – but on the why.
“At the next election, page one, line one of our manifesto will say ‘vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country’.”