Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: “This delusional speech reaffirmed how out of touch Humza Yousaf is with the Scottish people, who are sick and tired of him obsessing over independence.
“The First Minister’s case for ripping Scotland out of the UK rests on myths, fantasy economics and the fanciful hope the public forget that last month’s disastrous tax-and-axe budget was the product of years of waste and dismal growth under the SNP.
“He has the powers to improve the lives of Scottish workers now but instead has chosen to make Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK, damaging our competitiveness.
“Humza Yousaf is a weak leader in charge of a feuding, scandal-ridden party, which is why he is banging on about the one issue they agree on – breaking up the UK – and ignoring the country at large.
“Voters know that in swathes of seats only the Scottish Conservatives can beat the discredited SNP and move the focus away from separation and on to people’s real priorities – like the cost of living, boosting the economy and improving Scotland’s ailing public services.”