elect a local champion.news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/20_04_10_snp... · elect a local...
TRANSCRIPT
Manifesto 2010
Elect a localchampion.
Contents
Introduction 4
Scotlandneedschampions 6
MoreNats,LessCuts 8
WinningabetterdealforScotland 11
Buildinganewpartnership 17
SupportingtheScottishGovernment 23
PaGe3
Manifesto 2010
PaGe4
Introduction
This election is about ensuring a strong team of Scottish MPs in the House of Commons - a team of SNP MPs. Local champions, who will be there working hard for you, your community and Scotland.
TheLondonpartiesallofferthesamething-thewrongprioritiesforournation.Theyaren’ttalkingabouttheissuesthatmattermosttopeopleorofferingthesolutionsandideasthatwillimprovelifehereinScotland.Forthemtheneedsofourfamilies,neighboursandcommunitiesareasecondthought.Scotlanddeservesbetter.
TheSNPcaresaboutScottishsuccess.WeareScotland’sPartyandhereathome,andintheparliamentinLondonweofferScotlandastrongervoice.WhentheSNPissuccessful,Londonlistens.
Soatthiselection,withyourhelp,wecansecurebiggainsforthepeopleofScotland.Ourplanswouldmean60,000newgreenjobsby2020;afairdealforpensionerswithpensionsrisinginlinewithearningsandaguaranteetoprotectfreepersonalcareandconcessionarytravel;andanewphaseofcapitalaccelerationsowecancreatealmost5,000newjobsthisyear.WewillpressforthescrappingofTridentnuclearmissilesandahalttotheirreplacement,demandafairfuelregulatortoprotectmotoristsfromsoaringfuelpricesandworktomakesureScotlandispartofthefirstphaseoftheUKhighspeedrailnetwork.
andwecanmakesureScotland’scommunitiesareheard.Thatisimportantonpollingday,andevenmoreimportantoncethevotesarecountedanddecisionsarebeingtakenatWestminster.Scotland’svoicemustbeheard,becauseifitisn’t,thepeopleofScotlandwillloseout.asapartyandasScotland’sgovernment,ourfocusisfirstandforemostonwinningthebestdealforScotland.WeareambitiousforyouandyourfamilyandconfidentinScotland’sabilitytosucceed,nowandwith
PaGe5
Manifesto 2010
independence.Wearefocusedmorethaneveronbuildingthestronger,moresuccessfulnationweknowScotlandcanbe.ThismanifestosetsoutmanyofthestepswecantakehereinScotland,andwithhard-workingScottishMPsintheHouseofCommons,toprotectwhatreallymatters.Weareworkinghardforeconomicrecoveryandnewjobsandopportunitiesforfamiliesandcommunities.HowevertheLondonparties’proposedcutsposeathreattothisrecovery.ThatiswhyScotlandneedschampionsandwhyourlocalcommunitiesneedchampionstoo.atthiselection,morevotesmeansmoreNats,andmoreNatsmeanslesscuts.Localservicesandrecoverycanandmustbeprotected.
Thesearechallengingtimes,andasScotland’sGovernmentandScotland’sPartyintheHouseofCommons,wearedeterminedtodoallwecantomakeournationhealthier,safer,fairer,greener,smarterandwealthier.TheseelectionsareaboutgivingyouandthepeopleofScotlandthestrongestpossiblevoiceinthedecisionsthatwillbetakeninLondon.Itisaboutchoosingthestrongestlocalrepresentation.Itisaboutelectinglocalchampions-MPswhowillstandupforthepeopletheyrepresent.
OurMPswillspeakupforScottishvaluesandarguetoscrapthe£5billionIDcardproject,the£100billionreplacementforTrident,the£100millionHouseofLordsandthenear£10millionScotlandOfficesowecaninsteadprotectthevitalpublicservicesweallrelyonandmaketheinvestmentweneedforeconomicrecovery.OurMPswillworktoensurethatScotsgettheopportunitytobeconsultedonourownconstitutionalfuture.Incredibly,theLabourPartynowproposeanearlyreferendumonthealternativeVoteandtheHouseofLordswhiletheyseektoblocktheScottishParliamentholdingareferendumonIndependence.
RunningthroughthismanifestoistheSNPvisionofanewfutureforScotland,independent,sociallyjustandeconomicallysecure.TherealalternativetothediscreditedWestminstersystemisafresh,independentfutureforournation.
electionsareimportant.Toooftenitisthehard-workingpeopleandfamilieswhoareleftoutandforgotten.SoifyoucareaboutScotlandandyourcommunity,don’tjustvoteforapolitician,electalocalchampion.
Alex Salmond SNPLeader
PaGe6
Scotland needs champions
Your vote on May 6th is important. Our nation needs a strong team of Scottish MPs working for our communities in the House of Commons. SNP MPs who will be local and national champions - working hard for people in all parts of Scotland.
WeneednationalchampionswhowillstandupforScotland’sinterestsandopposetheLondonparties’agendaofcutsthatwillbesodamagingtoScotland’srecoveryandvitallocalservices.
TheLabourPartynowthreatenscutsthatwillbe‘deeperandtougher’thanunderMargaretThatcherandtheToriesplananadditional£1billioncutonScotlandeachyearbyrippingupthecurrentfundingdealwithouttheconsentoftheScottishGovernmentorScottishpeople.
PaGe7
Manifesto 2010
TheToryandLabouragendaiseffectivelythesame–thewrongcutsatthewrongtime.TheiractionswillthreatenrecoveryandcostScottishjobs.ScotlandneedsSNPMPsintheHouseofCommonswhocanmakesureournationisprotected.
andweneedlocalchampions,becauseatthemomentWestminsterisn’tworkingforthecommunitiesandpeopleofScotland.Thesystemisfailingournation.
everySNPcandidatewillsignapledgeofaccessibility,accountabilityandopenness–itwillbetheirCommunityCommitment.Itwillbetheirguarantee-theircontractwiththevoters-anditwillsetthestandardfortheirworkonbehalfofthepeopletheyrepresent.Itwillincludeguaranteesonpublicationofexpenses,onregularconstituencysurgeriesandconsultationwithvotersandcommunitygroups.
TheLondonpartiesarepartofthesamemetropolitanpoliticalmachine–amachinethatleavestheordinarymenandwomenofourcountryontheoutside.atthiselectionwedon’tneedmoreofthesame.Insteadwecanchoosestronglocalchampions.SNPcandidateswhowillstandupforlocalinterestsandworktoprotectvitallocalservices.
SNPMPswilltakeforwardtheissuesthatmattermostinlocalcommunities,whetherthatiscreatingjobs,securinglowerfuelprices,protectinglocalpostofficesorensuringsafetybarriersareinstalledonlevelcrossings.
SNPMPswillmakethecaseforafairervotingsystemandforreformofWestminsterexpensessothatitmatchesthehigherstandardsoftheScottishParliament.
ThemoreSNPMPselected,thestrongerScotland’svoicewillbeintheHouseofCommonsandthebetterwecanprotectScotland’speopleandScotland’sinterests.
WearetheonlyPartythatwillputScottishinterestsfirst.SNPMPswillprovidestronglocalrepresentation–workingforScotlandandworkingforyou.
PaGe8
More Nats, Less Cuts
In this time of fragile recovery from recession it is more important than ever to have SNP MPs working in the House of Commons to protect public spending and investment in recovery so we can create
jobs for communities across Scotland.
Webelievethatnowisthewrongtimetocutpublicspendingbecausecutswillputtherecoveryatrisk.TheToryplanstocutspendingthisyeararedangerousandeconomicallyunsound.
Webelievethat,likevirtuallyeveryothercountryacrosstheworld,weneedfurthereconomicstimulus.economicgrowthis
essentialforjobcreationandisthekeytorecoveryingovernmentrevenues.Cuttingoffstimulusatthisstagesimplydoesn’tmakesenseandyetthatiswhatLabour,theToriesandtheLiberalswanttodo.
Whileothernationsareactingnowtostimulatetheireconomies,theUKfinancialplans-accordingtotheTreasury-meanthatspendingcutswilltake1%offeconomicgrowthin2010.
andforScotland,stoppingthestimuluswillsee£400millionremovedfromourbudgetthisyear,adecisionthatwillcost5,000Scottishjobs.
FailingtosupporteconomicrecoverynowwillalsomakeitmoredifficulttoreducetheUK’sdebtburdeninfuture.Today,theUKhasahugeandgrowingdebtburdenasaresultofLaboureconomicmismanagement.
Thewaytorecoverthatpositionistorecapturesomeofthelostgrowthofthelasttwoyears.eachfallof1%ingrowthcoststheexchequer£20billionbuteachrisegainsasimilaramount.Thereforewemustsustaintheeconomicstimulustopromoterecoverythiscomingyear.
Wemustnotraisetaxesonjobcreationsincethesewillloweremploymentandrevenueinthefuture.
Wemustrecyclegovernmentefficienciestoprotectfrontlineservices.Weshouldcuttheprojectsthatthecountrydoesn’tneedandcannolongeraffordsuchasTrident,IDcardsanddeepstoragenucleardumps.
jobs for communities across Scotland.
We
PaGe9
Manifesto 2010
WemustnotallowtheUKpartiestojeopardiseScotland’srecovery.WemustprotectScotlandfromLabour’splanfor‘deeperandtougher’cutsthanMargaretThatcherandfromtheTories’plantoimposea£1billioncuttargetedspecificallyatScotland.
Protecting the things that matter
Webelievedifferentchoicesoncutsmustbemade.Insteadofcuttingspendingonthethingsthatreallymatterlikerecoveryandlocalservices–astheLondonpartiespropose–webelievetheaxeshouldfallelsewhere.Weshouldprotectspendingonhealth,educationandjobsandinsteadcutprojectslikethe£100billionreplacementforTrident,thecurrentnucleardeterrent,theUK’sdeepdepositoryfornuclearwasteandtheremnantsoftheIDcardprogramme.
SavingsshouldalsobemadebyscrappingtheHouseofLordsandtheunnecessaryScotlandOffice.WebelievethattheScottishGovernmentshoulddealdirectlywiththerelevantUKdepartmentsonissueslikeemploymentandtheeconomy,ratherthanhavingtogothroughadepartmentthathasnodirectinfluenceonthedecisionsthatneedtobetaken.TheScotlandOfficecurrentlycostsusalmost£10m.Ifweabolishit,wecoulddirectthesavingstowardsworthwhileinvestmentinScotlandandinservicesthatwillimprovethequalityoflifeforordinaryScots.
andtheUKshouldfollowtheexampleoftheScottishGovernmentandmakerealefficiencysavingssoresourcescanbedirectedtowardsthefrontline.SofarinScotlandwehavedeliveredthesameamountofefficienciesinoneyearastheUKhasmanagedintwo,withtheseScottishsavingsinvestedinrecordhighspendingonhealthandschools.
aswemoveforwardseniorsalariesingovernmentwillbefrozen,includingforministers.Webelievethosewhoearnmostinthepublicsectorshouldplaytheirpartinthesedifficulttimes,whilethoseonlowestwagescontinuetogetpayincreases.
Therewillbea25%reductioninthenumberofquangossaving£40millioneachyear,a50%reductionintheScottishgovernmentmarketingbudgetanda5%reductioninadministrationcosts.
PaGe10
More Nats, Less Cuts
asaresultofSNPactioningovernmentwearesaving£160mthroughsmarterpublicprocurement,£82mbymanagingourassetsbetterand£12mthroughthesharingofbackofficeservicesacrossthepublicsector.
Thesearetherightchoices–cutTrident,spendlessongovernmentandonPRsowecancreatejobsandprotecttheservicesthataresuchanessentialpartofScottishsociety.
atthiselectionthechoiceisclear.OnlytheSNPisworkingtoprotectrecoveryandinvestmentinpublicserviceshereinScotland.MorevotesmeansmoreNats,andmoreNatsmeanslesscuts.
PaGe11
Winning a better deal for Scotland
SNP MPs in the House of Commons will work hard to win the best deal for Scotland and our communities. We will work in partnership with our allies in Plaid Cymru to secure important gains for the people of our nations as set out in the 4Wales, 4 Scotland agreement.
WewillnotenteranyformofcoalitionagreementwiththeLondonparties.Instead,asweknowfromtheexperienceofgoverninginScotlandwithabalancedScottishParliament,wewillseektosecurekeyconcessionsforScotlandonavotebyvote,issuebyissuebasis.
Thereismuchwecanachieveforournationandforourcommunities:
Fair funding New,fairerfundingarrangements,includingfiscalautonomyforScotland,willbeoneofourkeypriorities,allowingustodomoretosupportjobsandcreateamorecompetitivebusinessenvironment.Giventheeconomicchallengesweface,thisiscrucialforScotland’sfuturesuccess.
Itwouldgiveustheabilitytolowercorporationtax.Thisisapolicyleverthathasbeenusedinsimilarnationsacrosseuropeandtheresulthasbeenhigherlevelsofeconomicgrowth,morehigh-paidjobsandhighertaxrevenues.Itisawin-winpolicythatScotlandshouldbeabletoimplement.
andsimilarly,itwouldenableustosaveaproportionofourgrowingenergywealth–fromoilandgastodayandrenewableenergyinthefuture-inanenergyFund.Thisfundwouldactlikeanationalsavingsaccount–orastheNorwegiansdescribetheirfund,anationalpensionfund-andwoulddelivergreaterfinancialsecurityandanincomeforScotlandwellintothefuture.
Inthemeantime,wewillpressforthefairapplicationoftheBarnettformula.ThatincludesanewindependentappealprocesssothatwemoveawayfromthecurrentpositionwheretheUKisjudgeandjuryinanydisputesbetweenthedevolvedgovernmentsandWhitehall.ThatwouldstoptheTreasuryfromsubvertingtheBarnettformula.
Forexample,webelievethatfundingforregenerationaroundtheLondonOlympicsiteshouldbesubjecttotheBarnettFormula,whichwouldmeanthatScotlandgetsadditionalresourcesworthatleast£165milliontosupportregenerationinvestmentacrossScotland.
PaGe12
Winning a better deal for Scotland
ThisapproachissupportedbythegovernmentsinWalesandNorthernIrelandbecausethecurrentarrangementsaredesignedbythegovernmentinLondontoby-passthelongestablishedrules.
TheSNPwillalsocontinuetoleadcross-partycallsforthereturnof£150millionlotteryfundsdivertedfromScotlandtohelpfundtheLondon2012games.Thereturnofthedivertedfundswouldturnagoodlegacyforthe2014GlasgowCommonwealthGamesintoagreatlegacy.
Focus on jobs and recoveryWewillurgeafurtheraccelerationofcapitalspending,amovethatwouldsupportalmost5,000Scottishjobsandprovidemuchneededeconomicstimulusintheshortterm.Thisshouldbeacentralpartofanypost-electionBudgetorspendingreviewandwillhelpusstrengthenandsupportScotland’seconomicrecovery.
andSNPMPswilljoinwiththeScottishGovernmenttopressforScotlandtohavetheabilitytoborrow,justasNorthernIrelanddoes,toallowadditionalinvestmentininfrastructureandjobs.Itmakessenseforustobeabletospreadthecostofnewroadsorhospitalsoveralongerperiod,inthesamewayasfamiliesdowiththeirmortgage.ItwouldmeanthousandsofadditionalScottishjobs.
Wewilllooktoimprovecurrenteffortsonemployment.WewillargueforScotlandtohavegreaterresponsibilityforemploymentpolicysowecanbringtogethertheworkofJobCentresandourskillsagencytomakesurelocalcommunitiesbenefitfromskillsandemploymentsupportthatisfullyco-ordinated.Thatsimplemovewouldenhancetheexistingpartnershiparrangements,reducebureaucracyandoverlapandmeanmoretimeandresourcesareavailabletohelppeopleintowork.
Protecting local services and the most vulnerable InthenextParliamentpublicspendingwillbesqueezedandwewillarguethatactiontoreducethedeficitisbasedonwhatisimportanttopeoplehereinScotland.Cutsshouldbemadetothethingsthatmatterleastsowecancontinueinvestmentinvitallocalservices.
OneofourtopprioritiesinthenewParliamentistoensureafairdealforScotland’spensioners.SNPMPswillvoteintheHouseofCommonsfortherestorationofthelinkbetweentheStatePensionandearnings,bringingamuchneeded£110millionboostforScottishpensioners.
PaGe13
Manifesto 2010
SuchamovewillhelpmanyofthemostvulnerableScottishpensioners.WearefullycommittedtofairandeffectivepoliciessuchastheconcessionarytravelschemeforolderScotsandfreepersonalcare.WewillprotectthesefromthespendingcutsthatwillbeimposedbythenextLondongovernment.
andwebelieveScotsmustnotloseoutasaresultofpolicydecisionsforengland.Thatmeansthereshouldbenonewtaxesorcontributions,orchangestoattendanceallowanceorCarer’sallowancethatwillimpactonScots,topayforreformofcarefortheelderlydownsouth.
Wewillargueforafairdealformotorists.Thereshouldbeafairfuelregulatorsothatwhenoilpricesincreasemotoristsarenotdoublypunishedwithsoaringtaxesandpricesatthepumps.andtheUKshouldalsoadoptthesamesortoftaxderogationonfuelsoldinourislandandremotecommunitiesasexistselsewhereintheeU.
andwewillworktoprotectpostalservicesacrossScotlandbyopposinganychangestotheRoyalMailthatwillweakentheuniversaldeliveryobligation.WesupportthecreationofapostbanktoenablePostOfficestoprovideagreaterrangeofbankingservicesformanyofoursmallertownsandruralareas.
WebelievethatthosewhohaveputtheirlivesatriskfightingforourcountryshouldbeentitlednotonlytoourrespectbutmoreimportantlytooursupportandasaresultofrepresentationsfromSNPMPs,theScottishGovernmentisnowexploringoptionsfortheintroductionofaVeteransCardinScotlandtoimproveaccesstoservicesforScotland’sveterans.
SNPMPswillworktoputrenewedfocusoneffortstonarrowthegapbetweenthehavesandhavenotsinoursociety–generatingwealthsowecanimprovethequalityoflifeforallandendthescandalofchildandpensionerpoverty.Thebenefitssystemshouldbedesignedtoprovideincentivesforwork,ratherthanbarrierstowork.ItshouldalsomorecloselymeetScottishneedsandcircumstancesandbeeasiertoaccess.
WewillpresstheUKgovernmenttoinvestigatenewapproachessuchasamaximumcombinedwithdrawalrateforbenefitsandalsocallforreformtothehugelyproblematicemploymentSupportallowanceandchangestothesystemofcoldweatherpaymentssoitmoreclosely
PaGe14
Winning a better deal for Scotland
reflectsScottishneedsandcircumstancesandincreasessupportforindividualsinScotland.andwebelievetheminimumwageshouldincreaseinlinewithearnings.
Action to help the green economy ScotlandhasenormousgreenenergypotentialandtheSNPisdeterminedtomakethemostofthisopportunityforournation.Weneedtomaximiseinvestmentintheresearchandinfrastructuresowecanturnpotentialtodayintotensofthousandsofgreenjobstomorrow.
OuraimistoincreaselowcarbonemploymentinScotlandby60,000by2020aspartofourlowcarbonstrategy,withrenewableenergysupporting26,000jobs,emerginglowcarbontechnologiesafurther26,000andenvironmentalmanagement8,000more.
atWestminsterwewillbedemandingthereleaseoftheFossilFuelLevymoneysoitcanbeusedtodeliver£200millionnewinvestmentinrenewables.ThisfundcanonlybeusedforinvestmentingreenenergyprojectsyettheLondonTreasurystillpreventsthatmoneyfrombeingputtogoodusetocreateemploymentincommunitiesacrossScotland.
andwewillworktoremoveobstaclestofurtherinvestmentinwave,tidalandwindgenerationinScotlandbyendingthediscriminatorytransmissionchargingregime–asystemthatseesScottishgeneratorspayingfarmoretoconnecttothegridthancompanieselsewhereintheUK.ageneratorinScotlandcanpay£20perkilowatthourwhilecompaniesinthesouthofenglandreceiveasubsidy.TheSNPhasworkedwiththeScottishenergycompaniestoproduceanalternativetothecurrentdiscreditedsystemandremovewhathasbeendescribedbyoneasa‘majorbarriertoinvestment’.
Takingforwardthegreeneconomyisofcourseaboutmorethanrenewablesandthat’swhyScotlandmustbepartofthefirstphaseoftheproposedUKhighspeedrailnetwork.Thismovewillboostbusinessandreducecarbonemissionsbydeliveringaneffectivealternativetodomesticflights.Itwilltake30yearsforhighspeedrailtoreachScotlandunderLabourorToryplansandthisisnotacceptable.
Support for business growthOureffortswillbefocusedonpromotingScottisheconomicrecovery.WewillworktoensurethatgrowthindustriesinScotland,likethegames
PaGe15
Manifesto 2010
industry,aregiventhesamesortofsupportasincompetitorcountriesandforincentivesforfurtherinvestmentandexplorationintheNorthSea,helpingextendthelifetimeofthisvaluableScottishresource.WewillalsoopposeLabour’sproposedhikeinNationalInsurancebecause,asataxonjobs,itwillhindertheefforttogetpeoplebacktowork.Itwillalsocostpublicservicesatatimewhenbudgetsarealreadytight.ThebillfortheNHSalonewillbe£36m.ThetotaljobscostforScotlandwillbe10,000.Iftaxrisesarerequiredthentheyshouldbeprogressiveandfairandopenandhonest.
Webelievethebanksshouldbedoingmoretosupportratherthaninhibitgrowingbusinesses.TheUKgovernmentshoulduseitsinfluenceasacontrollingshareholderinsomeoftheUK’smajorbankstoensureincreasedaccesstocredit.Itisrightthatactionistakentoreformthebankingsector.Wesupportcallsforaninternationalbanktax.andwewillsupportstepstolimitbonuspaymentsaspartofwiderregulatoryreformthatencouragesareturntoprudentbanking–bankingthatprotectscustomersandtaxpayersfromthecasinostylerisktakingthatcharacterisedsomeinvestmentbankingbeforethecreditcrunch.
Wewillprovideastrongvoiceforourfishingandagriculturesectors,holdingtheUKgovernmenttoaccountwhiletheyrepresenttheseeconomicallyimportantindustriesineurope.and,toprotecttheincomesofmanyofourfarmbusinesseswewillopposeUKplansonCaPreform,whichwouldseetheremovaloftheimportantFirstPillarfunding.
Standing up for what is rightWewillcontinuetoleadthecampaignforthescrappingoftheUK’snucleardeterrent.We,likethemajorityofScots,donotwanttheobscenityofweaponsofmassdestructiononScotland’sshores.Wehavenodoubtthatournationwouldprefertoseeresourcesspentproperlyequippingourtroopsinafghanistanandinvestedinjobs,onmeetingourinternationaldevelopmentcommitmentsandonbuildingafairer,strongersocietyhereathomeratherthanonnuclearmissilesthatcanwipeouthalftheplanet.
TheearlyyearsarethemostimportantandtheSNPwillsupportmovestoextendpaternityleave–itisrightthatbothparentsareabletotakeadequateleaveinthefirstmonthsoftheirchild’slife.
PaGe16
Winning a better deal for Scotland
WewillpresstheUKgovernmenttomeetitsinternationalobligationsincludingacontinuedcommitmenttomeettheUNtargetof0.7%ofnationalwealthdevotedtooverseasdevelopment.TheSNPbelievesinternationaldevelopmentmustbeapriority.astheScottishGovernmentsince2007,wedoubledScotland’sinternationalaidbudgetandarebuildingstronglinkswithdevelopingnationssuchasMalawi.
WewillopposeplanstorepealtheHumanRightsact.OurMPswillcontinuetosupporttheeffortsoforganisationsliketheequalityandHumanRightsCommissionandtheScottishHumanRightsCommission,andstandupforwhatisright,arguingforexamplefortheHomeOfficetoendthepracticeofholdingthechildrenofasylumseekersindetentioncentres.
PaGe17
Building a new partnership
Every survey of opinion tells us that people across Scotland want to see the Scottish Parliament take on more responsibilities – for our representatives here in Scotland to have the ability to do more to make our nation more successful.
Themoreresponsibilitiesourparliamenthas,themorewecanachieveandthemoreeffectivelywecanrespondtolocalconcernsandcommunitycampaigns.IfthedecisionsaretakenhereinScotlanditismuchmoredifficultforpoliticianstoignorelocalissuesbecausethoseissuesaremuchclosertohome.
TheSNPwantsScotlandtoenjoythefullresponsibilitiesofindependence.Webelievethe300-yearoldpoliticalUnionisnolongerfitforpurpose.Itwasneverdesignedforthe21stcenturyworld.It’stimeforanewpartnershiponourisles–asocialunionthatensuresScotlandandenglandareequalnations–friendsandpartners-bothfreetomakeourownchoices.
Independencewillcreateanew,moreappropriaterelationship.Itwillallowustoworktogetherwhenthatmakessense,andenableScotlandtotakeallthedecisionsweneedtobuildprosperityandmakethemostofthemanyopportunitiesthatexistforournation.
PeoplerecognisetheareaswhereScotlandtodayisheldbackbydecisionstakeninLondonandthereisagrowingbeliefthatwecouldachievesomuchmoreifwewereabletotakethesedecisionsourselves.
SomebelievethattheParliamentshouldonlytakeonasmallnumberofnewresponsibilities,includingthosesetoutbytherecentCalmanCommissiononScottishDevolution:onairweapons,drinkdrivingandspeedlimits.TheSNPsupportsthetransferoftheseadditionalresponsibilitiesandingovernmenthaspublishedthelegislationthatcouldmakethishappenquickly.TheScottishParliamenthasbackedearlytransferbuttheLabourgovernmentinLondonsaidno.
OthersbelievetheParliamentcanbestserveScotlandbytakingonsubstantialnewresponsibilitiesincludingoveroureconomyandpublicfinances.ThiswouldenableScotlandtorespondmoreeffectivelytoeconomicpressures,andspeedournation’srecovery.and,ofcourse,withindependence,Scotlandwouldbeabletoachieveevenmore.
PaGe18
Building a new partnership
WithindependencewewillbeabletodeliveramoresuccessfulScotland,withgreaterprosperityforthepeopleofournation.
Withindependence,wecanremovetheobscenityofnuclearweaponsfromScotland’sshoresandrepresentourselvesatthetoptableineurope.
andwithindependencewewillbeabletobuildonoureffortstosupportyoungfamilies,withourambitiontomatchtheuniversalchildcaresupportavailableinsimilarnationselsewhereineurope.
TheSNPbelievesthatthepeopleofScotlandshouldhavetheirsayonthefutureofournationinareferendumonextendingtheresponsibilitiesoftheScottishParliament.ThatiswhywearetakingforwardaReferendumBillintheScottishParliamentthisyear.
andbecausewerecognisethatamajorityofScotswanttheScottishParliamenttobeabletodomore,therewillbeanopportunityduringtheBillprocessforoneormoreoftheoppositionpartiesintheScottishParliamenttobringforwardaproposalforfurtherdevolutiontobeincludedinthereferendum.ThiswouldallowpeopletohavetheirsayonthestatusquoandonextendingtheresponsibilitiesoftheparliamenttoallowforfurtherdevolutionandtoallowScotlandtobecomeindependent.ThereferendumisallaboutgivingthepeopleofScotlandtheopportunitytohavetheirsayonournation’sfuture–todeterminethesortsofresponsibilitiesourparliamentandgovernmentshouldhaveintheyearsahead.
TheSNPisproudtochampionthepeople’srighttospeakonthisissue.TheotherpartiessupportareferenduminWalesonmorepowersandtheLabourgovernmentinLondonevensupportsareferendumonthealternativeVoteandreformoftheHouseofLords,andyettheyrejectareferendumforScotland.Thatshowshowlittletheytrustthepeopleofournation.
TheSNPhaslongcampaignedforfairvotesandtheremovalofanachronismsliketheunelectedHouseofLords.andwewillcontinuetopressfortheabolitionoftheactofSettlement.
PaGe19
Manifesto 2010
TheworldisfullofopportunitiesforScotlandandourpeople.Therearesomanywayswecanimproveourrelationswithourneighboursandwithpeoplesacrosstheglobe–withthebenefitenjoyedhereathome.andwecanseeScotland’svaluesandprioritiesreflectedintheactionswetakeontheinternationalstage.
TheSNPbelievesthatScotlandwillbebestservedwhenwespeakforourselvestotheworld.Thenwecanchoosetopromotetrade,culture,linkswiththediasporaanddevelopmentasourtopprioritiesanddeliveraoverseasservicedesignedtomeettheseneeds.Wecouldbecomeavoiceforpeaceandprogressintheworld.
WebelieveanewapproachisneededinthewayScotlandisrepresentedintheeU.Independencewouldgiveusourownseatatthetoptableofeurope,anduntilthen,wewillargueforScotlandtohaveanenhancedrolewithintheUK,includingleadingonissuessuchasfisherieswhereScotlandhasthemajorityUKinterest.
andwewillargueforScotlandtotakeresponsibilityforimmigrationsothatwecandevelopasystemhereathomethatmorecloselymeetsourneeds.an‘earnedcitizenship’system,similartothoseinCanadaoraustralia,wouldallowScotlandtoattracthigh-skillimmigrantswhocanaddtothestrengthofoureconomyandhelpdelivergrowingprosperityforthewholenation.
Scotlandcanbeproudofitsplaceintheworld.Scottishtroopshaveservedinoperationsaroundtheglobewithdistinction.Scottishaidandaidworkershaveofferedavitallifelinetosomeofthepoorestpeopleinneed.andwearenowbuildinglinkswithsomeofthenationsmostthreatenedbyglobalwarming.
TheSNP’sapproachtointernationalrelationswouldbebasedonprinciplesthatdefineScotlandasanation:compassion,fairnessandhumanity–andassuchtheSNPwillalwaysupholdtheruleofinternationallaw.WebelievetheseprinciplesshouldalsodefinetheUK’sapproachoverseas.TheactionsofTonyBlairandGordonBrownintakingusintotheillegalwarinIraqexemplifywhyweneedthisnewapproach–wecan’tallowthemistakesthatweremadeoverIraqtohappenagain.
PaGe20
Building a new partnership
TheSNPbelievesthatScotlandshouldjoinwiththeworldcommunitywherenecessarytopreservepeaceandsecurity.WeproposeaScottishCentreforReconciliationandConflictResolution,topromotepeacefulalternativestoarmedconflict.
OptionsforScotland’sdefencewithindependencearesetoutintheScottishGovernment’sWhitePaperYourScotland,YourVoice.andoverthenextfewyears,withintheUK,itisimportanttohaveScotland’svoiceheardontheseissues.
WhatiscertainisthatwhoeverwinstheUKGeneralelectiontherewillbeaStrategicDefenceReviewwhichwilllookatallaspectsofdefencepolicy,fromstrategytothestructureofthearmedforces,fundingandequipment.animportantpartofanyreviewistoincorporatethekeyandundisputedfactsaboutcurrentdefencespending,militarycapabilityandfootprint,includinghereinScotland,andtoreverseatrendthathasseenScotlandlosingoutfromUKdefenceinvestment.
Itmakesnosense,whenwehavetroopsengagedoverseas,tobethreateningfurthercutsinbases,procurementortraining,especiallyascurrentUKplanswillseetensofbillionswastedonanewgenerationnucleardeterrent.WearecommittedtoretainallScotland’scurrentbasesandremaincommittedtotherestorationofScotland’shistoricinfantryregimentswhichwereamalgamatedin2006.
andgiventheincreasingstrainsonservicefamilylifewebelievethatScottishrecruitedunitsshouldbebasedasclosetohomeasispractical.
TheSNPhasmajorconcernsabouttheUKgovernment’sapproachtothecurrentconflictinafghanistan.Withthedeathtollrisingwehavequestionedwhyoursoldiershavenotalwayshadtheequipmenttheyneedandwhytherehasnotbeenaclearstrategyfordeliveringpeaceordemocracy.Onceagainthemenandwomenonthefrontlinearedoingusproud,whiletheleadersbackinLondonarelettingoursoldiersdown.
TheSNPdoesnotwishtoseeScottishtroopscommittedwithouttimelimit,withoutbeinggivenasenseoftheiroverarchinggoals,withoutaclearvisionofwhatisbeingfoughtfor,andwithoutaconsiderationofthemeansthatwillbenecessarytoachievesuchanend.ThatiswhywemustnowhaveaproperreviewoftheUK’sstrategyandapproach.
PaGe21
Manifesto 2010
WehaveamoralobjectiontonuclearweaponsandarefirminourbeliefthatwhentheUKgovernmentisplanningcutsinimportantbudgets,theyshouldnotbewasting£100billiononbuyinganewgenerationofnuclearbombs.WehavebeenproudtostandalongsideScotland’sfaithgroups,theSTUCandcommunitycampaignersinoppositiontoTridentanditsreplacementandwewillcontinuetodoso.
Thenucleardeterrenthasemploymentcostsaswell.ResearchconductedbytheSTUCandCNDactuallyfoundthatthemoneyspentmaintainingtheUK’snucleardeterrentcostsScotlandapproximately3,000jobs.Faslane,thecurrentnuclearsubmarinebase,shouldbethebaseforconventionalnavalforces.Thisistheapproachadoptedbysimilar,independentnations.Norwayforexamplesupportsaconventionalnavalfleetandconventionalbases–withmorepeopleemployedasciviliansorservicepersonnelthanthecurrentpositioninScotland.
HavingfullresponsibilityfordefencematterswouldletthepeopleofScotlandhavetheirpropersayontheseissues–wecouldtakethedecisionsonadequateprotectionofourtroops.WewouldhavebeenfreetodeclinetotakepartintherecentIraqWar,basedonitslackofalegalmandate.andwewouldbeinapositiontoensuretheremovalofnuclearweaponsfromScotland.
PaGe22
Building a new partnership
Why Independence? Scotland is a distinct community. Together we see ourselves as a nation and independence is the natural state for nations like ours. And as a community, we care most about our own success – we have the biggest stake in solving the problems we face, or making the most of the opportunities available to us. As a community and as a nation we are the best people for the job of making our nation the sort of place we want it to be.
Independence is about updating the relationship between Scotland and England. It is about creating a new partnership of equals – a social union to replace the current political union. Scotland and England will share the same Queen, the same currency and as members of the EU there will be open borders, shared rights, free trade and extensive co-operation. The big difference will be that instead of only deciding some issues here in Scotland, independence will allow us to take decisions on all the major issues. That is the reality of independence in this interdependent world.
Independence runs like a golden thread through this manifesto and underpins the policies that will have the biggest impact on our prosperity and wellbeing. Instead of waiting for others to act, it would allow us to take forward our ideas immediately and with greatest benefit for the people of our nation.
The fundamental appeal of independence is that it offers a different vision for our nation’s future. The Westminster parliament and system is discredited and too often works against the interests of the people of Scotland – the system is failing us and that is why we need a fresh start and a new approach. So we can address our own problems with our own efforts and make the most of the opportunities that exist in such abundance for our nation.
PaGe23
Supporting the Scottish Government
SNP MPs will be strong partners for the Scottish Government in London. We need MPs who will support Scotland, not argue against Scotland. MPs who will help win the best deal for our nation.
ThatincludesopposingtheLabourandTorycutsagendathatposessuchathreattotheachievementsofthepastthreeyearsandthemanyprojectsdesignedtomakeScotlandwealthier,safer,smarterandhealthierinthefuture.
Muchhasbeenachievedandaswemoveforward,muchtoprotect:
Economic RecoveryTheSNP’seconomicRecoveryPlanhasalreadysupported20,000jobsandleftScottishfamilieswithmoremoneyintheirpocketsattheendofeachmonth.Thisincludestheextensionofthecounciltaxfreezeforathirdyear,withtheresourcesmadeavailabletofreezetheCouncilTaxagainin2010-11.
Fromapril2010,asaresultofScottishGovernmentactions,Scottishbusinesswillenjoya£220millioncompetitiveadvantageovercompanieselsewhereintheUKbecauseweloweredthebusinessratepoundage.Thisis£220millionthatcanbeinvestedingrowthandjobs.andweareextendingthesmallbusinessbonus,whichmeansthatmorebusinessesinlocalcommunities–thesortsofbusinessesthatformthelifebloodoflocalhighstreets–willpaynoratesatall.
Since the Scottish election the SNP government has implemented almost three quarters of our headline manifesto commitments. These include:• Freezing the Council Tax• Introducing the Small Business Bonus• Publishing a White Paper on Independence• Abolishing tolls on the Forth and Tay Bridges• Reversing the decision to downgrade the A&Es at Monklands and Ayr
hospitals• Delivering 1,000 more police• Abolishing the Graduate Endowment Fee• Ensuring the business rates poundage does not rise above England• Completing the M74• Accelerating the electrification of the central Scotland rail network• Meeting the 2 month target for cancer patients to be diagnosed and
treated
PaGe24
Supporting the Scottish Government
TheScottishInvestmentBankalsohasabigparttoplayasScotlandmovesintorecoveryandtheSNPiscommittedtodirectingadditionalfundstosupportbusinessgrowththroughthisimportantinitiative.Thesewillremainakeypartofoureconomicstrategy.WewillbeworkinghardtoprotectthemfromthethreatenedLabourandTorycuts.
Wehavelearnedlessonsfrompreviousrecessions,whererisinglong-termunemploymentcreatedlastingdamagetoScotland’scommunitiesthatcarriedacrossgenerations.Wearedeterminedthatthistimenocommunitywillbeleftbehind.InScotlandwecanacttomakesurethishappens,andatWestminstereffectiveScottishMPsareneededtoensuretheLondongovernmentplaysit’sparttoo.
Recoveryisstillfragileandthereareundoubtedlystilljoblossesandeconomicdisappointmentstocome.However,eveninthesetougheconomictimes,jobsarebeingcreated,manywithScottishGovernmentsupport.Sainsbury’shasannouncedafurther1,300jobsinScotlandbytheendof2010,ScottishandSouthernenergyhasconfirmed250newhighqualityjobsandsafeguardedafurther70atthe£20millionCentreofengineeringexcellenceinGlasgowandTescoBankhasestablishedtheirheadquartersinedinburghaspartofdeclaredplansfor1,750Scottishjobs.andinthepastmonthCeridianhasannounced200newjobsinRenfrewshire,TotalandDong500intheTormoregasfieldoffShetlandandIntegratedenergySystemsInternational400intheirproposedBiomassplantinInverurie.Theenormouspotentialofourenergysectorhasbeenconfirmedbylastyear’sinvestmentbySkykoninanewtowermanufacturingfacilityinKintyreandthismonth’s£14millioninvestmentbyBiFabtosecure400jobsattheFifeenergyPark.
Wearedirectlysupportingjobsinlocalcommunitiesthroughrecordinvestmentinsocialhousing,includingthefirstsubstantialinvestmentincouncilhousingfordecades.Ournewinitiative,theNationalHousingTrust,hasthepotentialtoprovidethousandsofnewaffordablehomestorent.
ConnectingScotlandisalsoanimportantpartofourapproachtoeconomicgrowth.ThenewBordersRailwaywillprovidedirectaccessformanycommunitiestoedinburgh,boostinglocaljobsandlocaleconomies.Similarly,thefasterjourneytimesbytrainfromaberdeenandInverness,theimprovementsonthea9anda96andthegreenlightfortheaberdeenby-passwillalsodeliversocialandeconomicbenefits
PaGe25
Manifesto 2010
forcommunitiesinthenorthandnortheast.andwewilltakeforwardthecrucialForthReplacementCrossing,inthefaceofthecutsproposedbythegovernmentinLondon.
Education and SkillsOureconomicRecoveryplanisalsosupportingthousandsofnewtrainingplaces,including20,000apprenticeshipsthispastyear,exceedingourtargetbywellover1,000.andthroughtheScottishbudgetthisyear,wehaveinvestedonceagaininmodernapprenticesandinouruniversitiesandcolleges.
Intheyearahead,Scottishstudentswillgetnewfinancialsupport,witha£30millionpackagetoincreasetheirincomethroughgrantsandloans.TheSNPwillnotintroducetuitionfeesortopupfeesandwillopposeanychangesinenglishfeesarrangementsthathavetheknockoneffectofreducingfundingforScotlandthroughtheBarnettformula,aswehavedonepreviously.
andwearestrengtheningeducationforyoungpeoplethroughthe16+LearningChoicestoofferaplaceoflearningtoeveryyoungpersonastheyreachtheendoftheircompulsoryschoolyears.Theseinitiativesareacrucialpartofrecovery,becauseitisonlythroughahighlyeducatedandskilledpopulationthatScotlandwilltrulyflourishinthefuture.
andwearealsoworkingtoimprovethelifechancesofyoungScots,withanincreaseinthenumberoffreehoursofnurseryeducation.Classsizesinprimaryschoolsareatarecordlowandweareworkingwithlocalgovernmenttomakemoreprogresstodeliverourpledgeofclasssizesof18orlessinP1toP3.TheseareexactlythesortofimportantpublicservicesthatourMPswillworktoprotectbyofferinganalternativetotheLondonparties’agendaofcuts.
andwewillprotectourplanned£1.25billioninvestmentinevenmorenewandrefurbishedschoolsintheyearsaheadasweworktoremovethebacklogofrepairandrebuildingthathasgrownupoverthepastdecade.Sincetakingoffice,wehavebuiltorsubstantiallyrefurbishedschoolsatafasterratethanbefore-260schoolsacrossScotlandwithoverhalffinancedusingtraditionalborrowingorNPD.
PaGe26
Supporting the Scottish Government
Innovation and the industries of the futureWearealsoinvestingininnovationandtheindustriesofthefuture.Wehavelaunchedthe£10millionSaltirePrizetoprovidethelargestinnovationprizeformarinerenewables,andestablishedanew£12millionfundforresearchanddevelopmentputtingScotlandattheforefrontofthisemergingandpotentiallyplanetsavingtechnology.TheSaltirePrizehasalreadyseen146expressionsofinterestfrom27differentcountries,andweareproudtobeworkingwithexpertsfromaroundtheworldandwithNationalGeographic,oneofthelargestscientificandeducationalinstitutionsintheworld,topromoteanddevelopthisinitiative.
SinceMay2007ScottishMinistershaveconsented29renewableand1non-renewableapplicationundersection36oftheenergyact–over2GWofconsentedcapacity.Weareapprovingprojectsmorequicklythaneverbefore–averaging10ayearcomparedtojust4inthefinalyearofthepreviousadministration.
Planstoharnessover11GWofoffshorewindcapacityby2020coulddeliverupto20,000jobsacrossthesupplychain,andover£30billioninvestmentinScotland’seconomy.andtherecentannouncementof10projectagreementsunderthePentlandFirthandOrkneyWatersleasingroundwithCrownestatewillgenerate1.2GWofwaveandtidalmarineenergyoffScotland’snorthcoast,aswellasthepotentialtocreate2,600jobsandinvestmentofupto£4billionby2020.Ournationhasnolessthan25%ofeurope’soffshorerenewableresource.
Scotland’smarineenvironmentisundoubtedlyoneofourmostprizedassetsandalongsideincentivesfornewoilrecoverywebelievetheoffshoretaxationregimeshouldalsosupportthedevelopmentofCarbonCaptureandStorage.OurvisionisforScotlandtobeanintegralpartofaNorthSeaCO2storagehub–deliveringthetransportationlinksandstoragesitesandbenefitingfromthepotentiallymulti-billionpoundinvestmentinresearch.
Scotlandhastheknow-howandthegeographytobeaworldleaderinthis-andother-offshoreenergytechnologiesanditisanopportunitywemusttakefulladvantageofinthedecadetocome.Investmenttodaywilldelivergreaterreturns–injobsandrevenues–tomorrow.anditisclear,giventhishugeopportunityandpotentialtogenerateupto10timesScotland’sownelectricityrequirementsthereisnoneedfornewnuclearpowerstations.
PaGe27
Manifesto 2010
Supporting the rural economyScotlandhashugestrengthsandenormouspotentialandthatmustbetranslatedintogreaterprosperityandopportunityforhard-workingfamiliesandindividualsincommunitiesacrossournation.
Inthemonthsaheadwewillbetakingforwardthe£1.5billionruraldevelopmentprogrammeinvestment,withmillionsmoreinvestedinruralbusinessesandlocaleconomiesacrossScotland.InitiativessuchasthePackInquiryaredesignedtomaximisetheimpactofgovernmentsupportinourfarmingcommunityandwewillworkwiththeindustrytodeliverapackagethatbestssuitsScotland’sneeds.
Fishingcontributeshundredsofmillionstooureconomyeveryyearandprovidestensofthousandsofjobs.TheCommonFisheriesPolicy(CFP)forcesfishermentothrowawayabouthalfthewhitefishcaughtatacostofsome£60m.ThesediscardsareattheheartoftheCFP’sfailure.TheyrepresentamoralandenvironmentalobscenityandstoppingthesediscardsisoneofthekeystosecuringamoreprosperousandsustainablefutureforScotsfishermen.
TheScottishGovernmentisworkingwiththefishingindustryandenvironmentalgroupstotakeforwardmeasuresuchasCCTV,selectivegearandrealtimeclosuresandwebelievethisisthewayforwardsoourfishermencanlandmoreandearnmorewithoutthedamagetothestocksthatdiscardsrepresent.
WeopposetheCFPandbelieveitshouldbereplacedsothatthereisabiggersayforourfishingcommunities,moreregionalmanagementandpoweroverfisheriesreturnedtoScotland.andtheongoingreviewgivesustheopportunitytopresentthisradicalcase.
ClearlyScotland’sruralcommunitiesandeconomyhavespecificneedsandtheSNPisworkinghardforruralinterests.ThatiswhywehaveintroducedroadequivalenttariffonroutestotheWesternIsles,andwilllooktoprotectthisimportantinitiativefromtheproposedLabourandTorycuts.
A healthier ScotlandSpendinginourNHSisatrecordlevelsanditistoprotectthisfundingthattheSNPisofferinganalternativetotheplannedLabourandTorycuts.aspartofourcommitmenttodirectmoretothefrontlineandprotectthethingsthataremostimportant,wewilltakeforwardvital
PaGe28
Supporting the Scottish Government
investmentincludingour£1billionprogrammeofnewcommunityhealthfacilitiesthroughtheScottishFuturesTrustandthe£840mnewSouthernGeneralhospitalinGlasgow.
OurnewPatientsRightsBillwillintroducenewhealthrightsforthepeopleofScotlandincludingwaitingtimeguarantees.Thiswillbuildonarecordthathasalreadyseenbigreductionsinwaitingtimes.Thewaitingtimesforoutpatientappointmentsandforinpatient/daycasetreatmentareeachdowntoamaximumof12weeksandweintendtogofurther-bynextyear,nopatientwillwaitmorethan18weeksintotalfrombeingreferredbyaGPtoreceivingthetreatmenttheyneed.
Wehavealsoreducedwaitingtimesforcancertreatment.TheNHSisnowworkingtowardsamaximumwaitingtimeforcancerofjust31daysfromwhenthedecisionistakentotreatapatienttothetreatmentbeingstarted.Wehavealsotakenstepstoimprovetheavailabilityofcancerdrugs.
Wehavetrebledspendingontacklinghospitalacquiredinfectionsandintroducedthefirstindependentinspectionregimetoensurethehighestpossiblestandardsofcleanlinessinourhospitals.ThisisakeypriorityfortheSNPingovernmentandwewillworktobuildontherecentwelcomereductionsininfections.
andwewillmoveforwardwithourproposalstoabolishprescriptionchargesin2011,aspromisedin2007.Webelieveprescriptionchargesareataxonillhealthandweareproudtostandforwhatisanessentialprincipleofahealthservicefreeatthepointofneed.WewillnotlettheLondonpartiesandtheircutsundermineScotland’sNHS.
Wearealsotakingactiontoimprovehealth,preventill-healthandtacklehealthinequalities.Weareactingtotackleobesityandpromotephysicalactivity.Wearealsoactingtotacklethehealthimpactoftobacco,withlegislationtorestrictcigarettedisplaysandremovevendingmachines.andweareinvestingmorethaneverinrehabilitationsothatdrugaddictscankickthehabit.
Safer CommunitiesWhentheSNPcametoofficein2007manyofScotland’sstreetswerenotsafe.Sowehavebeenworkinghardtomakethemsafer.Wearetakingforwardproposalstotacklealcoholmisuseincludingapolicyofminimumpricingthatistargetedonthecheapalcoholthat
PaGe29
Manifesto 2010
fuelssomuchoftheanti-socialbehaviourandviolenceonourstreets.Thereisgrowingsupport,notonlyamonghealthprofessionalsandthepolice,butnowalsoamongthedrinksindustryincludingleadingmanufacturersandthelicensedtrade.
andwearedeliveringadditionalpolicingcapacity-morepoliceofficers,spendingmoretimeinourcommunitiesandonthebeat.Currently,thenumberofpoliceofficersinScotlandisat17,273–1,039higherthanwhenwecametoofficeandmorethanthe1,000extrawepromised.OurMPswilldoalltheycantoprotectthefundingfortheseofficerswhoaremakingScotland’sstreetssafer.
andtheywillbeworkingtoprotectinvestmentininitiativeslikethehighlyeffectiveViolenceReductionUnit.UndertheSNPmoreknifecarriersarebeingsenttojailandtheyaregettinglongersentences.Theaveragesentenceforthosesenttoprisonforcarryingaknifehasnowincreasedfromlessthan4monthsin2003/04towellover8monthsin2008/09.
Scotland can be more successfulThesearethesortsofinitiatives–acrosstherangeofpolicyportfolios–thatareimportantfortheSNPandwebelieveforScotland’scommunities.TheyaredesignedtomakeScotlandthemoresuccessfulcountryweknowitcanbe.
Theyareinitiativeswewillcontinuetoworkhardtoprotectanddeliver.
atthiselectionthepeopleofScotlandarebeingaskedtoputtheircross,notonlybesideacandidate,butbesideafuture.Thatiswhy,inthismanifesto,wehavesetoutanewvisionforScotland.Ournationdeservesmorethanadecadeofdismalcuts-adecadeofwastedopportunitiesandlosthope.
Wecan’tlettheLondonpartiesmakethewrongchoicesattheexpenseofScottishcommunities.Butthereisanotherway.
Onpollingdayitisthepeople,notthepoliticianswhohavethepower.andthepeoplecangiverealpowertoScotland.
Thistime,don’tjustvoteforapolitician,electalocalchampion,anationalchampionwiththeSNP.
Page 31
Manifesto 2010
available in audio CD, Large Print, Braille and easy Read formats. Please call 0800 633 5432.Textphone users call 0131 525 8938.
Promoted by Peter Murrell on behalf of the Scottish National Party, both at Gordon Lamb House, 3 Jackson’s Entry, Edinburgh EH8 8PJ. Printed by City Print Services, 90 Bothwell Lane, Glasgow.
3 Jackson’s Entry, Edinburgh EH8 8PJ
VISIT www.snp.org
Call us on 0800 633 5432
VOTE SNP Polls open 7am-10pm Thu 6 May
DONATE £5 now, text SNP to 85199
Don’t justvote for apolitician...