She stated the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will provide a real alternative to the SNP and will hold them to account; something which the Labour Party has failed in 9 years of opposition. Other key elements of the Conservative policies is to back Scotland's place in the United Kingdom, to protect family finances after the lean times of recent years and to pull Scotland together following years of division and discord driven by the SNP.
Ruth sated that unlike Labour and the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives oppose another referendum and will fight for the Union.
She pointed out the failures of the Labour Party in Scotland to provide effective opposition to the SNP and allowing the SNP to railroad through bad legislation, stating:
"Things like the absurd Offensive Behaviour at football Act, which says singing a song in a bar is illegal if there’s a match on the telly, but not if there’s not."
"And, as we speak, reforms to our Universities which will only weaken their independence, their governance and their reputation."
"Too often, we have not had effective scrutiny of these plans from the principle opposition party.
We have seen the amalgamation of our police forces – from 8 to 1 – without proper provisions for oversight or local accountability, nodded through by Labour."
"We have seen the abolition of that great blue-collar policy, the right to buy, something Nicola Sturgeon’s family took advantage of, now outlawed by the SNP – and nodded through by Labour. "
"And perhaps worst of all, we have seen the introduction of new named person legislation – and the creation of a state guardian for every child in Scotland, over the heads of their parents – introduced by the SNP – nodded through by Labour"
The Leader of the Scottish Conservatives went on to say:
"I believe Government is there to give people the security and the opportunity to live their lives as they see fit."
"I believe Government is there to support those at the bottom first, to ensure equality of opportunity as best it can." "But Government is only there to serve people and communities, not the other way around."
"I do not believe Government is there to hoard power at the centre and snatch it away from local communities."
"And I do not believe Government is there to block people from owning their own home, or to impose a state guardian on their children."
"It is not there to take over our lives and crush individual freedom. My conviction is that Scotland needs a party that’s prepared to say these things."
"To set out a radically different vision to the SNP-Labour consensual. And with a strong team of MSPs behind me, that is the difference we can make for Scotland.
Whatever is the next named persons legislation, or the next offensive behaviour act – you won’t see us nodding it through."
"You’ll see us scrutinizing, questioning, opposing – and finally offering a challenge to the SNP."
"Friends, Scotland has had enough of Labour’s nodding dog. It’s time for a Tory terrier."
"So that’s what we offer people. Standing up for Scotland’s place in the UK" "Protecting family finances and holding the SNP to account."
"You don’t have to be a Conservative voter in Scotland to want somebody to do these things in parliament. But the fact is that right now, it’s only the Scottish Conservatives which is offering to get them done."
"There are less than eleven weeks until polls open, in those eleven weeks, I ask people to take a look at us."
"We offer a credible, competent force in Scottish politics, we are a distinctive party with our own plans and principled views on taking Scotland forward."
"Labour has had nine years to land a blow, to hold the government to account, to put forward a credible alternative vision for Scotland. And the sad truth is, they’ve quite simply failed."
"The Scottish Conservatives stand ready to serve - serve not just our own supporters, but to serve everyone in Scotland who wants to see a real challenge to the Nationalists. Not to go back to a second referendum"
"But to go forward together."