Scottish Conservatives commit to keep 1000 extra police for next four years – Salmond forced to agree

Scottish Conservatives have committed to keeping the 1000 extra police since 2007 for the next four years.

The SNP's apparent commitment to do the same is welcome – unlike many of their other promises, they must not break it.

Speaking after FMQs yesterday (13 Jan), Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, said:

"Today in Scotland we have over 1,000 more police officers than we had four years ago and that's because of the Scottish Conservatives.

"If it had been left to Labour there wouldn't be any more police officers at all. If it had been left to the SNP there would be 500 fewer.

"Maintaining these extra thousand officers is a political priority for me and the Scottish Conservatives – not just this year but for the next four years. I welcome the First Minister's apparent agreement today and congratulate him on yet again following a Conservative lead.

"But we have to take his assurances with a pinch of salt. He did after all try to break the same commitment on police numbers four years ago and the SNP's time in office is littered with broken promises.

"When it comes to keeping Scotland safe and protecting our public, Labour is silent, the SNP is soft and the only party people can trust are the Scottish Conservatives."