The SNP places independence before every other policy decision, the Scottish Conservative leader has said.

Ruth Davidson accused the SNP of avoiding tough decisions by "trying to bury them" to not damage support for independence.

Davidson said: "Too often this SNP government has been one which puts sticking plaster over the many fundamental issues we need to tackle. Too often this SNP government has sought to tackle problems by just trying to bury them - or by bullying people into silence. Too often, this SNP government's first thought when faced with a decision hasn't been 'is this good for Scotland?'

"Too often, its first impulse has been to ask 'How will this impact our case for breaking up Britain?' Scotland deserves better than this political control-freakery, it deserves better than a government which still puts its cause of independence first, it deserves better than the endless fake grievance and the spin over substance.

The Scottish Conservative leader also stated her belief that only her party will be able to provide opposition to an SNP led Scottish Government.

She said: "We won't let the SNP away with this any more.

"We will provide the strong opposition that, up till now, they've never had. We will finally hold this SNP government's feet to the fire. We can't just go back to the old parliament - with the same government, and the same opposition party - with the same faces, but fewer of them.

"What we offer is a new principle opposition, with experienced faces buttressed by new talent - on the up, and ready to serve."

The SNP responded to Davidson's comments by claiming she is fighting a "phoney war" for second place.

A party spokesperson said: "Ruth Davidson can fight a phoney war for second place all she wants - the SNP are standing for re-election as Scotland's government, with bold, ambitious and progressive plans.

"The result of the election is in the hands of the voters, and we take nothing for granted. The only way people can be sure of re-electing Nicola Sturgeon leading a government in a position to deliver on our manifesto pledges is to give both votes to the SNP."

Scottish Labour accused the Conservatives of not opposing the SNP but instead they "cheer them on".

The party's equalities spokesperson Neil Findlay said: "The Tories don't oppose the SNP when they cut public services, they cheer them on. We need a challenge to the SNP which would use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to do more, not a Tory party that wants to do less.

"All Ruth Davidson is offering Scotland is more cuts to public services, more division on the future of our country and stealth taxes on the sick and on students.

"The new powers of the Scottish Parliament give us the chance to do things differently, and to break from Tory austerity, but Ruth Davidson has nothing to say about these new powers. All she wants is for the Scottish Government to do less and cut more."

Davidson's qualities as an opposition leader were also question by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The party's leader Willie Rennie said: "Ruth Davidson is desperate to talk about anything other than her support for a UK government budget which cut tax for the rich, and cut benefits and services for everyone else. Ruth Davidson was no opposition at all to George Osborne as he pushed for benefit cuts that would have taken thousands of pounds away from people living with disabilities.

"The last thing Scotland needs is George Osborne's little helper as leader of the opposition."

The Scottish Greens stated that they believe Davidson is attempting to "hide the nasty reality" of her party.

Scottish Green politican Alison Johnstone said: "Another day, another transparent attempt by Ruth Davidson to hide the nasty reality of the Tories. Her party would take Scotland in completely the wrong direction, charging people for education and medication, and fracking communities despite the opportunity to create lasting jobs in industries with a future."