Elect a local champion.news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/20_04_10_snp... · Elect a local champion. Contents Introduction 4 Scotland needs champions 6 More Nats, Less Cuts 8 Winning

Manifesto 2010

Elect a localchampion.

Contents

Introduction 4

Scotlandneedschampions 6

MoreNats,LessCuts 8

WinningabetterdealforScotland 11

Buildinganewpartnership 17

SupportingtheScottishGovernment 23

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Manifesto 2010

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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More Nats, Less Cuts

asaresultofSNPactioningovernmentwearesaving£160mthroughsmarterpublicprocurement,£82mbymanagingourassetsbetterand£12mthroughthesharingofbackofficeservicesacrossthepublicsector.

Thesearetherightchoices–cutTrident,spendlessongovernmentandonPRsowecancreatejobsandprotecttheservicesthataresuchanessentialpartofScottishsociety.

atthiselectionthechoiceisclear.OnlytheSNPisworkingtoprotectrecoveryandinvestmentinpublicserviceshereinScotland.MorevotesmeansmoreNats,andmoreNatsmeanslesscuts.

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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.

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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.

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SuchamovewillhelpmanyofthemostvulnerableScottishpensioners.WearefullycommittedtofairandeffectivepoliciessuchastheconcessionarytravelschemeforolderScotsandfreepersonalcare.WewillprotectthesefromthespendingcutsthatwillbeimposedbythenextLondongovernment.

andwebelieveScotsmustnotloseoutasaresultofpolicydecisionsforengland.Thatmeansthereshouldbenonewtaxesorcontributions,orchangestoattendanceallowanceorCarer’sallowancethatwillimpactonScots,topayforreformofcarefortheelderlydownsouth.

Wewillargueforafairdealformotorists.Thereshouldbeafairfuelregulatorsothatwhenoilpricesincreasemotoristsarenotdoublypunishedwithsoaringtaxesandpricesatthepumps.andtheUKshouldalsoadoptthesamesortoftaxderogationonfuelsoldinourislandandremotecommunitiesasexistselsewhereintheeU.

andwewillworktoprotectpostalservicesacrossScotlandbyopposinganychangestotheRoyalMailthatwillweakentheuniversaldeliveryobligation.WesupportthecreationofapostbanktoenablePostOfficestoprovideagreaterrangeofbankingservicesformanyofoursmallertownsandruralareas.

WebelievethatthosewhohaveputtheirlivesatriskfightingforourcountryshouldbeentitlednotonlytoourrespectbutmoreimportantlytooursupportandasaresultofrepresentationsfromSNPMPs,theScottishGovernmentisnowexploringoptionsfortheintroductionofaVeteransCardinScotlandtoimproveaccesstoservicesforScotland’sveterans.

SNPMPswillworktoputrenewedfocusoneffortstonarrowthegapbetweenthehavesandhavenotsinoursociety–generatingwealthsowecanimprovethequalityoflifeforallandendthescandalofchildandpensionerpoverty.Thebenefitssystemshouldbedesignedtoprovideincentivesforwork,ratherthanbarrierstowork.ItshouldalsomorecloselymeetScottishneedsandcircumstancesandbeeasiertoaccess.

WewillpresstheUKgovernmenttoinvestigatenewapproachessuchasamaximumcombinedwithdrawalrateforbenefitsandalsocallforreformtothehugelyproblematicemploymentSupportallowanceandchangestothesystemofcoldweatherpaymentssoitmoreclosely

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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

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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.

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WewillpresstheUKgovernmenttomeetitsinternationalobligationsincludingacontinuedcommitmenttomeettheUNtargetof0.7%ofnationalwealthdevotedtooverseasdevelopment.TheSNPbelievesinternationaldevelopmentmustbeapriority.astheScottishGovernmentsince2007,wedoubledScotland’sinternationalaidbudgetandarebuildingstronglinkswithdevelopingnationssuchasMalawi.

WewillopposeplanstorepealtheHumanRightsact.OurMPswillcontinuetosupporttheeffortsoforganisationsliketheequalityandHumanRightsCommissionandtheScottishHumanRightsCommission,andstandupforwhatisright,arguingforexamplefortheHomeOfficetoendthepracticeofholdingthechildrenofasylumseekersindetentioncentres.

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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.

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WithindependencewewillbeabletodeliveramoresuccessfulScotland,withgreaterprosperityforthepeopleofournation.

Withindependence,wecanremovetheobscenityofnuclearweaponsfromScotland’sshoresandrepresentourselvesatthetoptableineurope.

andwithindependencewewillbeabletobuildonoureffortstosupportyoungfamilies,withourambitiontomatchtheuniversalchildcaresupportavailableinsimilarnationselsewhereineurope.

TheSNPbelievesthatthepeopleofScotlandshouldhavetheirsayonthefutureofournationinareferendumonextendingtheresponsibilitiesoftheScottishParliament.ThatiswhywearetakingforwardaReferendumBillintheScottishParliamentthisyear.

andbecausewerecognisethatamajorityofScotswanttheScottishParliamenttobeabletodomore,therewillbeanopportunityduringtheBillprocessforoneormoreoftheoppositionpartiesintheScottishParliamenttobringforwardaproposalforfurtherdevolutiontobeincludedinthereferendum.ThiswouldallowpeopletohavetheirsayonthestatusquoandonextendingtheresponsibilitiesoftheparliamenttoallowforfurtherdevolutionandtoallowScotlandtobecomeindependent.ThereferendumisallaboutgivingthepeopleofScotlandtheopportunitytohavetheirsayonournation’sfuture–todeterminethesortsofresponsibilitiesourparliamentandgovernmentshouldhaveintheyearsahead.

TheSNPisproudtochampionthepeople’srighttospeakonthisissue.TheotherpartiessupportareferenduminWalesonmorepowersandtheLabourgovernmentinLondonevensupportsareferendumonthealternativeVoteandreformoftheHouseofLords,andyettheyrejectareferendumforScotland.Thatshowshowlittletheytrustthepeopleofournation.

TheSNPhaslongcampaignedforfairvotesandtheremovalofanachronismsliketheunelectedHouseofLords.andwewillcontinuetopressfortheabolitionoftheactofSettlement.

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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.

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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.

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Manifesto 2010

WehaveamoralobjectiontonuclearweaponsandarefirminourbeliefthatwhentheUKgovernmentisplanningcutsinimportantbudgets,theyshouldnotbewasting£100billiononbuyinganewgenerationofnuclearbombs.WehavebeenproudtostandalongsideScotland’sfaithgroups,theSTUCandcommunitycampaignersinoppositiontoTridentanditsreplacementandwewillcontinuetodoso.

Thenucleardeterrenthasemploymentcostsaswell.ResearchconductedbytheSTUCandCNDactuallyfoundthatthemoneyspentmaintainingtheUK’snucleardeterrentcostsScotlandapproximately3,000jobs.Faslane,thecurrentnuclearsubmarinebase,shouldbethebaseforconventionalnavalforces.Thisistheapproachadoptedbysimilar,independentnations.Norwayforexamplesupportsaconventionalnavalfleetandconventionalbases–withmorepeopleemployedasciviliansorservicepersonnelthanthecurrentpositioninScotland.

HavingfullresponsibilityfordefencematterswouldletthepeopleofScotlandhavetheirpropersayontheseissues–wecouldtakethedecisionsonadequateprotectionofourtroops.WewouldhavebeenfreetodeclinetotakepartintherecentIraqWar,basedonitslackofalegalmandate.andwewouldbeinapositiontoensuretheremovalofnuclearweaponsfromScotland.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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


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

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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.

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Manifesto 2010

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