Trolls, frustrated by SNP's collapse, resort to insulting taunts at 'Tory scum'

Megan Gallagher at the second day of the Scottish Conservative Party conference on Saturday. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA

Nationalist trolls have stepped up. their insults online after the collapse of the SNP, said a deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Megan Gallagher, 31, said she was called a «Tory cretin», «Tory s—» and a «stupid stupid girl» in accounts on pro-independence social media while she was in conservative politics.

She told The Telegraph that the violence has «aggravated» because the nationalists are «falling behind» after the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon, former First Minister, and her husband's arrest in connection with a police investigation into SNP finances. /p>

The Scottish Tories are among the opposition parties hoping to capitalize on the disastrous SNP ratings under Humza Yousaf, who succeeded Ms Sturgeon.

Coinciding with the Scottish Conservatives conference this weekend, Ms Gallagher launched a campaign to end social media abuse against politicians.

«For me, online abuse was something I had to get used to when entering public life, especially as a young woman,» she said.

«I know, talking to my peers, be whether by the Scottish Conservatives or other political parties, online abuse of women is becoming more serious.

“Being elected as a councilor was probably one of the best and worst days of my life because it was great for friends , family and me to be able to celebrate, but then you went on Twitter and Facebook and you call me a Tory scumbag. They call you a tory rat.”

Independence slanderers are known online as cyber-nationalists. , or «Cybernates».

Ms Gallagher is a deputy in the Scottish Conservatives and is considered a possible future leader of the party.

She said that despite her political success after being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2021, more than ever independence supporters are insulting her online.

She stated that she thought it was worse because they know they are behind in terms of their political party and the independence movement more broadly, and because of what is happening with the SNP right now ”.

She added: “I believe, unfortunately, that this caused aggression. Now it has automatically passed to the [Nationalists] defending their cause.

“One of the best examples I have was when I posted a photo of my Odin parrot, which is an Indian ring-necked parrot.

“And all of a sudden it was: “You& #39;re tory bint, you're tory…'

«And I'm like, 'Wait a minute, why is the parrot causing such a big problem on Twitter?

«But this just shows you the obscene nature of some people you meet on social media.»

Best to benefit from collapse of support The SNP will likely get the Scottish Labor Party.

However, the Conservatives hope to win a few Westminster seats in the SNP's marginal constituencies, including South Aberdeen. Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.

Latest polls show the SNP currently has the lowest level of support among Scots since the 2019 general election.

The SNP has the support of around 45% of the population Scotland, compared to 25% of the Scottish Conservatives and 17% of the Scottish Labor Party.

Labor hopes to win seats in the so-called «central belt» in the south of Scotland, while the Tories can succeed in the countryside.

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Ms Gallagher said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has more support among the Scots than Boris Johnson, his predecessor.

“I would say that Rishi Sunak stabilized the ship here in Scotland,” she said.

“People will look at Rishi Sunak in a completely different way than Boris Johnson. I think it will help us a lot here.”