General Election is on 'knife edge', John Swinney warns ahead of polling day

JOHN Swinney has warned the General Election is on a “knife edge” and that voting for Labour would mean “more of the same” for the people in Scotland.

The First Minister is expected to give a speech on the eve of polling day in which he will urge people across the country to vote “for a vision of hope” and “for a better future”.

The SNP leader has conceded that Keir Starmer will likely be the next prime minister as his Labour Party are expected to decimate the Tories in England.

However, Swinney has warned the battle for Scotland’s seats is a lot closer and that every vote will count with most constituencies predicted to come down to the wire between the SNP and Labour.

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He is expected to say: “We all know that the result of the General Election in England is a foregone conclusion. Labour will win and Keir Starmer will be prime minister.

“The only story left in this election is here in Scotland, where seats across the country are on a knife-edge.

“And the election in Scotland is the only place where there are genuine, competing visions of the future at stake – a real contest of ideas and values.

“Labour are offering Scotland more of the same and picking up where the Tories left off.

“More cuts, opening the door to privatisation of the NHS, Brexit and capping child benefits but not bankers’ bonuses.

“The SNP is offering Scotland a different vision. A vision of hope for a better future.

“Ending austerity, supporting our NHS, rejoining the EU, tackling the cost of living crisis and a future made in Scotland, for Scotland, with independence.

“That vision of hope stands in stark contrast to the future of austerity and despair on offer from Labour.

“We don’t have to accept that bleak future offered by Westminster. Things can be better than this. Scotland can do better than this.

“Only the SNP offers Scotland the hope of a better future. But we have to vote for it.”

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According to the latest Scotland-only Westminster poll Labour hold a five-point lead over the SNP.

The polling company More in Common interviewed more than 1000 Scottish voters between June 24 and June 28.

Its data found that 35% of those polled would vote for Labour while 30% would vote for the SNP.

Swinney is also expected to add: “There are seats that could be decided by only a handful of votes. So be certain about one thing – your vote will matter. It could make all the difference.

“Tomorrow the power is in Scotland’s hands – let’s use it to put Scotland’s interests first.”