RIVAL pro-independence and unionist parties last night both mounted an attack on the SNP as the party unveiled its manifesto for the Holyrood elections.
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie, whose party campaigned for a Yes vote in 2014, hit out saying the SNP’s programme was too “cautious”, while Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats seized on party leader Nicola Sturgeon’s pledge to build the case for a second independence referendum.
Responding to the publication of the 25-page document in Edinburgh, Harvie said: “This election is about what kind of parliament we want for the next five years.
“Do we want a parliament dominated by a cautious government and its unquestioning cheerleaders? Of course we don’t. Governments are at their best when they are under constructive pressure, and the Scottish Greens have shown we can bring that pressure to bear where it counts.”
The Unionist parties criticised the SNP’s leader’s comments that she “would like very much” to hold a second independence referendum, and would be building the case for independence with a fresh campaign targeting those who voted No in 2014.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson branded the First Minister’s words “a recipe for more uncertainty which will damage jobs and weaken the economy”.
“Nicola Sturgeon had the chance today to set a course that leaves the division of the referendum behind us,” she said.
“Instead she has made it clear she wants to put Scotland through five more years of rancour over the constitution.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “
The woolly words in today’s SNP manifesto do not seek the explicit support for a second referendum from the people of Scotland.
“It is not credible to say that opinion polls would give a mandate for holding a constitutional referendum.”
Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: “The truth is that for the SNP, the timing of any second referendum is down to the ONS – the opinion of Nicola Sturgeon.
“She will spend the next five years poring over the runes on independence when what Scotland deserves is five years for public services.
“We need five years for education. For mental health services, for the environment and civil liberties. Scotland can’t wait for the SNP any longer.”
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