THE SNP have launched their General Election manifesto.
The document urges Scots to “vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country” on page one.
It also pledges to protect public services like the NHS and put “the interests of the people of Scotland first”.
A list of key pledges includes a promise to deliver independence to strengthen Scotland’s economy, tackle the cost of living and “bring about a fairer country”.
READ MORE: John Swinney: SNP losing seats would not affect independence mandate
Also in the pledges is a commitment to end 14 years of austerity, rejoin the EU and reverse the damage of Brexit, protect the NHS from the threats of Westminster privatisation, and reverse the £1.3 billion Westminster cut to Scotland’s capital budget.
The SNP has said it will continue to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and an end to arms sales to Israel.
Meanwhile, there are pledges to push for an end to the two-child benefit cap and legislate for an “essentials guarantee” so everyone can afford basic necessities.
The manifesto sets out plans for “an end to Westminster cuts” and investment in the NHS, with John Swinney calling for the next UK government to increase NHS spending by a minimum of £10bn extra each year to improve performance – generating an additional £1bn annually for NHS Scotland.
A message from Swinney (below) in the manifesto says: “I believe people are crying out for principled leadership, which is prepared to argue for what it believes in.
“In this election, in this manifesto, that is what the SNP is offering. Moderate left of centre policies to make life better for the people of Scotland.
“The Westminster system is broken and for far too many people, the UK economy has failed.
“So at this election the SNP is putting forward a positive, optimistic, and hopeful alternative to that broken system and that failed economy.”
His opening remarks focus on the damage spending cuts and Brexit have done to Scotland but warns Scots that the Tories likely replacement in Keir Starmer’s Labour are committed to the same agenda.
“SNP MPs will do all that they can to protect Scotland’s NHS and act to stop further austerity being imposed by Westminster,” Swinney said.
“But, however hard we work, the Westminster conspiracy of silence between Labour and the Conservatives on the cuts to come and on the damage of Brexit, demonstrates that decisions about Scotland’s future should be taken in Scotland.”
In a speech at the launch in Edinburgh, Swinney said Scottish independence is “fundamental” to people’s daily concerns.
Scots voted in a “clear majority” of independence-supporting MSPs in the 2021 Holyrood election, the First Minister said, a “democratic choice which must be respected”.
Swinney said: "That’s how democracy should work: engaging in respectful persuasion, taking account of everyone’s view, working together wherever possible in the national interest."
Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said in response to the launch: “The SNP's entire manifesto can be summed up in one word – independence. The first page is dedicated solely to splitting up Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom.
“None of Scotland's urgent priorities will get any focus from the SNP. For John Swinney, independence comes before the economy, the NHS and everything else.
“On July 4, if everyone who wants to beat the SNP votes Scottish Conservative in key seats, we can defeat the nationalists and end their obsession with independence for good.”
Alex Salmond, the leader of Alba Party, accused the SNP of "pickpocketing" his party's policy but insisted they had "failed" on independence.
Alba are set to unveil their manifesto next week.
Salmond said: “The SNP are the 'artless dodgers' of this election campaign, blatantly pickpocketing established Alba policy - first, the Council Tax freeze and then a proposed social tariff on heating bills which Kenny MacAskill had spent months campaigning for in the House of Commons.
“They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Sadly though, the SNP have failed adopt the Alba strategy on achieving independence. The SNP’s current offering is a confused and continuing state of constitutional limbo for Scotland.
"The dogs in the street know that Westminster is not going to agree to a referendum and only an electoral test with independence parties seeking a popular independence mandate can now deliver independence."
To read the full manifesto, click here.
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