It's Time

MANIFESTO 2019

IT’S TIME

“Scotland cannot afford to leav key powers in the hands of We Westminster just isn’t working for Scotland, and now is our time to escape the broken and corrupt politics that dominate the Westminster circles of decision making.

Scotland has a well educated population and a vast amount of natural resources, and we have the potential to succeed as an independent nation.

In this election, The SNP The Brexit debate is are asking you to elect a unnecessary for Scotland, strong team of MP’s at after every region in our Westminster that will call vast country voted against for a second it, yet the broken independence Westminster political referendum. institutions insist on We require committed dragging us through the difficult negotiations that and compassionate representatives that can will have a devastating deliver for the people of economic impact on Scotland.

Scotland’s industries.

Our opportunity to escape SNP MP’s will be focused on securing the very best Brexit is on polling day, future for the people of and we must use that Scotland through a opportunity to unleash referendum on Scotland from the independence. corrupted chains of Westminster.

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SNP Manifesto 2019

ve estminster.”

Scotland cannot afford to leave key powers in the hands of Westminster and Tory MP’s.

The people of Scotland are fed up of Westminster and this election offers us a different path, away from disastrous corruption and towards a fairer and modern society.

I want to bring a fresher face and a cleaner standard of politics to Westminster, and allow the people of Scotland to be heard loud and clear.

It’s time to give Scotland a voice.

KateForbes

Three years of political chaos has resulted in politics that pushes Scotland to the sidelines and ensures that our voice is ignored.

Brexit would be a disaster for the people of Scotland.

It will make Scotland poorer, cost jobs, hit living standards and threaten environmental standards and workers’ rights.

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CONTENTS

>SCOTLAND’S FUTURE >STOP BREXIT >FAIRER NATION >NET ZERO SCOTLAND >DEVOLUTION Our team

NICOLA Holyrood Leader

KATE

Westminster Leader

SNP Manifesto 2019

SCOTLAND’S FUTURE IS SCOTLAND’S CHOICE Leading Scotland forward, and ensuring that the views and voices of everyone in Scotland are heard has always been a fundamental principle behind the SNP. We have a responsibility, not just to ourselves, but to the generations of the future, to ensure that they grow up in a nation that can grow and prosper away from the shackles of Westminster.

Scotland stands at a crossroads and we must act now to escape Brexit and build a better future away from the United Kingdom.

ENSURING SCOTLAND IS HEARD We recognise our responsibility to ensure that the Scottish people are heard at all levels, including in Westminster.

But we must recognise the importance of Scotland being an independent nation, away from the threat of severe Westminster cuts, and the opportunity to escape a Brexit that we just didn’t vote for.

Our first mission will be to educate the Scottish people on the benefits of Independence and ensure that, more than anything, they understand what they are getting when they place an ‘X’ next to the SNP on the ballot paper.

It’s time for Scotland to be heard.

ACHIEVING OUR END GOAL OF INDEPENDENCE We have a mission to achieve independence for the people of Scotland, and put the days of a broken and corrupt Westminster system behind us.

The SNP recognise that we have lots of work to do if we want to achieve independence for our country, and that is why we have devised the following plan to ensure that our goal is met.

Educating our nation We will begin a nationwide campaign to educate Scots on the benefits of independence and the ways in which Westminster is not working for the people of Scotland.

Building a strong movement

AT WESTMINSTER WE WILL: • Stand up for the people of Scotland, • Secure an independence referendum, • Hold the UK Government to account and • Work for the Scottish people, not Westminster politicians.

We must bring together all sides of our movement for independence in-order to achieve our goal. SNP or Green, Young or Old, Scottish or English, everyone who wants to achieve independence must come together to ensure that we meet our goal.

We will establish the Yes Scotland mission, once again, and incorporate all aspects and sides of our movement. Coming together gives us the opportunity to build the strongest possible movement.

Reaching local communities

KEEPING SCOTLAND’S FUTURE, SCOTLAND’S CHOICE

Scotland is a beautiful country, from our glens, to our lochs and our lands. We have a huge mission to fulfil, and we must reach every single person in our country.

No Westminster government or political party has the power to dictate to Scotland what our future holds, that power will always be in the hands of the Scottish people, and nobody else.

We will establish a full network of ‘Yes Action Hubs’ and local Yes branches of our wider movement. It is vital that everybody knows exactly what they are voting for before entering the polling station.

It is our mission to protect that power and ensure that no Westminster power grab can take that power away from the people of Scotland.

We aim to produce a cross-holyrood motion that would ensure every MSP vows to protect that right of the Scottish people, and ensure it’s always in the hands of the Scottish Parliament.

It continues to remain our mission to protect the rights of everyone in Scotland.

A referendum for 2023 We plan to hold an independence referendum by the end of 2023, if we are given a mandate to do so.

It is not the choice of the UK parliament when a referendum takes place, it is the choice for the Scottish people to make and them alone.

It’s time for Scotland to have our say HOLDING THE UK GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT We are different from other Westminster parties because we have no intention of entering any UK Government, and we will hold the UK Government to account regardless of what party leader holds the keys to Downing Street.

The SNP will not stand by and allow any party to break, bend, or change the rules in their favour, and we won’t be frightened away from the prospect of working with other parties to remove the Prime Minister if we believe that they are not working in name of everyone.

Westminster is broken, and we will work to ensure that corruption doesn’t go unchecked and that everyone is held to the proper standard.

For too long, the voices of the people of Scotland have been ignored and silenced by a union that just isn’t working for the people of Scotland.

This election matters for lots of reasons, but the most important one is that its Scotland’s chance to escape a brexit that will devastate our economy and the livelihoods of people who live here.

A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape brexit, and ensure that that the Scottish people are heard and put first, above all else.

It’s time for things to change, and the broken politics of Westminster just isn’t working for us.

Vote SNP for IndyRef2 and to escape brexit.

SNP Manifesto 2019

YOU ARE PART OF THIS JOURNEY TOO. Our movement is built on a partnership of equals, we can achieve all of our goals, together.

Join us at snp.org/join

NICOLA STURGEON Holyrood Leader | First Minister of Scotland

Brexit will devastate our economy and ruin our local communities.

For far too long, the issue of brexit has dominated our politics and prevented us from dealing with the issues that truly matter to the people of Scotland.

In-fact, brexit shouldn’t even be up for debate in Scotland, because every area of Scotland voted against it.

Leading a Scottish Government that works for Scotland has been at the front of my mind throughout this whole debate.

I’ve had enough of this needless debate, and so have the Scottish people.

In this election a vote for the SNP is a vote to stop brexit and to hold a second independence referendum.

The Tories will have us believe that their plans for brexit work, they don’t.

By 2023, Scotland will have our say and we will say yes.

It’s time for a referendum.

Thousands of Scottish jobs and industries rely on the EU, and without EU support and EU workers, our institutions will collapse.

Scotland has voted against brexit, and reinforced that in 2017. Any attempt to drag Scotland out of the EU is undemocratic and unfair on the Scottish people.

Millions of pounds will be wasted with brexit, and we will be left to make devastating cuts that will hit the poorest families hard.

Brexit will lower our climate and environmental regulations, and allow for a lower quality to food to enter our country at a higher price.

Brexit benefits nobody but big businesses, and now is the time to seize our opportunity and escape this disaster.

It’s time.

SNP Manifesto 2019

STOPPING BREXIT AND REMAINING IN EUROPE Scotland voted to remain in the European Union, but the undemocratic Westminster system plans to drag us out of Europe, against the will of the Scottish people and directly in opposition to our political mandate to remain.

We will put the Scottish people first and fight to Stop Brexit and ensure that Scotland remains in the EU, regardless of what England chooses to do.

It’s time to put an end to this Brexit mess that Scotland voted against.

STOP BREXIT

OUR ESCAPE ROUTE

Not one area in Scotland voted in favour of Brexit, yet we are being forced to leave the European Union against our will. Scotland’s future is being dictated to us by a right wing Tory government that we did not vote for. A chaotic, Brexit-obsessed Westminster could decide our future for us. Or we can demand our right as a country to decide our own future.

Any Attempt by any political party to take Scotland out of Europe is undemocratic and goes against everything that the Scottish people voted for, and will be met with fierce opposition from the SNP.

Scotland has an opportunity to escape this mess of brexit and build a fairer and more equal nation, away from the United Kingdom.

Scottish Independence The 2016 referendum on our future in the EU produced a result that should guarantee our place in Europe, but the broken Westminster system means that we will be forced out, against our will.

Independence would allow us to escape brexit and rejoin the EU as an independent nation, like many of our already independent European neighbours.

Stopping Brexit

PROTECTING OUR PLACE IN THE SINGLE MARKET The Single Market is crucial to Scotland’s economy, and leaving it would have devastating impacts on businesses and communities across our country.

We pledge to ensure that Scotland’s position in the Single Market is protected, regardless of our political or constitutional position at the time.

We will work with others across Scotland and the UK to escape from Brexit. In a UK context, we will support a second EU referendum with Remain on the ballot paper. And if it is the only alternative to a ‘no deal’ Brexit, we will support the revocation of Article 50.

AT WESTMINSTER WE WILL: • Fight to Stop Brexit, • Secure Scotland’s future in the EU,

We welcome all efforts for a second referendum on brexit, and we will work with pro-EU political parties to put an end to the brexit disaster.

NO GUARANTEE THAT BREXIT WOULD STOP ALL THE DEBATE There is no guarantee that leaving the EU would stop all the debate, and the issue could continue for decades.

After brexit we would need to navigate through hundreds of trade deals to even equate to the amount of trade and business we conduct with the European Union.

It opens the door to many more years of Brexit dominating Westminster politics. And if trade talks fail next year, or don’t reach a conclusion in time, a no deal Brexit will be back on the table.

We have the right to choose a future away from brexit, and we demand to have our voice heard at Westminster.

It’s time for Scotland to have our say and put an end to this brexit mess.

• Protect our place in the single market and customs union and,

THE IMPACT OF BREXIT ON OUR COUNTRY WILL BE DEVASTATING

• Stop the Tories from pushing a disastrous brexit plan that will devastate our country.

Brexit will have a huge, lasting impact on Scotland’s economy and we will be left to navigate through decades of economic uncertainty.

The BREXIT MESS If any lessons can be learned from Brexit, it is that we cannot dispute the fact that the United Kingdom is a union based on inequality Regardless what Scotland votes for, our voice is ignored and we are punished for the decisions of England and Wales.

The Scottish people are fed up of brexit and sick of the broken Westminster system that dictates us.

A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit and build a better future for the people of our nation.

Scotland must get what we voted for, and we voted for Europe, and we will remain in the European Union.

Scotland has a huge reliance on foreign workers, particularly EU nationals. From our agricultural to distribution industries, EU workers keep us moving and we would suffer hugely without them.

We also have a huge reliance on trade with and through the EU and a hard Tory brexit would create barriers that would prevent trade, create a huge economic impact, and create food and services shortages, especially to our rural communities.

The EU also sets vital environmental and food standards, and without them, we risk importing chlorinated chicken and hormone infused meats into our country. We risk falling behind the rest of the world.

Brexit only benefits rich Tory donors and big businesses, not working people or local Scottish communities, it’s time to escape brexit and leave the United Kingdom behind. Vote SNP.

SNP Manifesto 2019

WESTMINSTER’S BROKEN PROMISES. Better Together promised that a No vote would secure our future in the EU , but look at today’s political situation!

“A Yes Vote would make Scotland weaker.” - Yet brexit will create a huge economic impact and we could lose thousands of jobs.

“Protect our NHS, Vote No.” - Now our NHS could be in an trade deal with other nations.

Westminster continue to break promises and undermine the democratic will of the Scottish people and Scotland’s parliament.

We have a choice to make, and by voting SNP, we can guarantee that Scotland’s future is in Scotland’s hands.

IT’S TIME FOR SCOTLAND TO BE HEARD

KATE FORBES Westminster Leader | Head of Yes Scotland

I served as Scottish Minister for Public Finance until early 2019 after the sad death of my beloved friend Ian Blackford, I stood for election.

I have a vast knowledge of Scotland’s public finances, and I know that leaving the European Union will have a devastating impact on our economy, here in Scotland.

This election is more important than ever, and we have a vital choice to make, do we stay in the UK and continue on being ignored, or do we choose a different path?

Choosing Independence is not about whether you consider yourself Scottish or British, or where you are from.

Independence is about where we are going, together.

Our mission starts today, and we have a really serious choice to make. This election is one of the most important in any of our lifetimes.

Any attempt to silence Scotland or undermine the democratic will of the Scottish people, is an attempt that we consider undemocratic and unconstitutional.

The SNP will be focused on building a fairer nation for all, regardless of your views on our party.

We will be determined to ensure that everyone in Scotland is heard, and the democratic will of the people of Scotland is respected and acted upon.

It’s time for Scotland to be heard and it’s time for us to stop the Tories.

As Scotland starts to consider what future we want to build for our children and for future generations to come, we must consider the option of independence - it is the way forward for our nation.

It’s time.

KateForbes

SNP Manifesto 2019

BUILDING A FAIRER SCOTLAND FOR ALL Scotland stands in a political climate that is full of discrimination and attitudes that do not belong in today’s society.

We will begin by starting to eradicate Tory austerity policies from front-line politics and begin work to build a fairer society.

The SNP are committed to building a better Scotland for everyone, and our work starts with a check next to SNP at the ballot box.

It’s time to build a better and fairer Scotland for everyone.

PUTTING AN END TO TORY AUSTERITY

WOMEN’S EQUALITY

Tory austerity has caused untold damage to our communities and has had a deep impact on our public services.

The SNP will continue to fight for true gender equality at all levels of our government and in our wider society.

We will pressure the UK Government to reverse cutbacks and abolish unfair taxes on the most poorest communities.

We will work with all parties in Westminster to fight to close the gender pay gap that still divides our society and creates more division.

We will stand up for jobs and businesses in Scotland and we will demand the support businesses need to grow and to boost productivity.

Tory austerity will punish the poorest in our society, and Scotland’s budget could face fierce cuts from Tory government’s that Scotland voted against.

Westminster’s reckless policies will have a harsh impact on the people of Scotland, and we will be left to deal with the issues that their policies bring.

ABOLISH TRIDENT NUCLEAR WEAPONS The SNP reaffirm our view that the Trident Nuclear Weapons programme must be abolished, now.

Additionally, the Trident nuclear weapons must be moved out of Scotland - without a penny charged to the Scottish taxpayer. We didn’t ask for these nuclear weapons, and we aren’t responsible for them, Westminster is.

A Westminster government that has been rejected by the Scottish people, has no right to politically impose these harsh policies that have been rejected at the Scottish ballot box.

Billions of pounds are being spent on nuclear weapons - that will never be used. We could reinvest that money into ending poverty and homelessness and feeding children.

AT WESTMINSTER WE WILL: • Stop Tory Austerity, • Fight to Abolish Trident Nuclear Weapons, • Build a fairer Scotland for all and • Fix the unfair UK benefit system.

A FAIRER SCOTLAND FOR FAMILIES

We will call on the UK Government to push more direct funding into charities that call for equal rights, and call on the UK Government to establish a cross-party group on the allocation of funds to improve women’s equality in today’s society.

We will call on the UK Government to designate misogyny as a hate crime, and will call on the Scottish Parliament to do the same.

It’s time to build a safer and more equal environment for women and girls.

RACIAL EQUALITY The SNP will not shy away from the fact that we must do much more work to stop racism and division in our country based on where people come from or the colour of their skin.

We will consult with people of colour on issues that face them by holding public consultations with local communities, and more importantly, we will listen to them, their views and their wishes and will try our best to accommodate them.

We will welcome moves to make politics more diverse, and will call on Westminster to implement legislation that rules out country of origin from being a factor in the citizenship process.

Where you are from should not matter, it’s about where we are going.

It;s time for a better Scotland for people of colour and people from BAME backgrounds.

LGBTIA+ EQUALITY It’s time that we work toghther to build a much fairer Scotland from LGBT+ people, and we must do this work with all due haste.

Scotland has lots of work to do before we are a truly equal society, and now is the time to be bold and act swiftly to truly build a fairer nation.

The SNP believe that we must do more to accommodate the changing family structure in today’s world.

We will work with the TIE campaign to incorporate LGBT education into Scotland’s curriculum and encourage the UK Government to do the same.

The Scottish Government, lead by the SNP, have introduced the baby box, and we will continue to expand the scheme and will back all efforts for it to be introduced UK-wide.

We will stand up for Trans-people at Westminster and push for a standard legal definition for transphobia and new legislation to protect them from discrimination.

We will back all efforts to support new families and single parents and welcome any introduction of legislation that would provide more support for families.

The SNP will also work to establish a cross-party network of LGBT+ Members of Parliament to ensure that the views of the community is heard at Westminster and across the UK.

We will hold Westminster Government’s to account and ensure they meet standard child poverty targets and aims. We will not allow the Westminster parliament to continue to undermine Scotland’s children.

We will work to establish new guidance on how to handle and eradicate LGBT+ bullying in places of work and education, and will implement this guidance to all local authorities in Scotland.

The SNP stands firmly by our pledge to make Scotland a better place to live, work and study.

It’s time for us to build a fairer country for everyone in Scotland and we must all work with each other to build a truly equal and fair nation.

SNP Manifesto 2019

DEALING WITH SCOTLAND’S DRUG CRISIS Scotland is in a drug crisis and we must act now before any more lives are lost to the misuse of drugs in our country.

The balance of power is creating a major gap of responsibility between the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament and something must be done about.

The SNP call for the devolution of Drug policy and legislation to the Scottish Parliament, and will welcome all efforts to do so from any political party.

We reaffirm our commitment to work with all parties in the Scottish Parliament to push more funding into dealing with Scotland’s drug crisis.

We will call on the establishment of consumption rooms across Scotland and the wider UK, and will call on a full public inquiry into handling of the drugs crisis.

PROTECTING WELFARE FROM HARSH TORY CUTS The SNP will continue to oppose the harsh Tory cuts that are being sent up to us from Westminster.

We will lead the fight at Westminster in opposition to all Tory cuts and advocate for economic growth and the expansion of benefits.

CLOSING THE ATTAINMENT GAP IN EDUCATION We have made progress in closing the attainment gap but more needs to be done. We have invested over £750 million over the last five years in the Scottish Attainment Challenge. As a result, we are seeing steady, incremental gains in attainment across the broad general education.

We will implement a clear, funded package of support for pupils who have fallen behind or seen their well-being suffer as a result of the pandemic, starting with a programme of activities this upcoming summer.

We will devolve more powers and financial control to teachers and take forward the recommendations of the OECD review of Curriculum for Excellence.

SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS We want all children and young people to get the most out of the learning opportunities available to them, which means ensuring every young person is given an equal chance to fulfil their potential.

Tories have cutback on taxes for the rich and cutback on support and services for our disabled and low income working families.

We passed legislation to provide a legal framework for the provision of additional support for learning – extending a range of rights to children aged 12-15. The Act means children and young people in Scotland will have more rights than their peers across Europe when it comes to accessing the support they need.

The only thing stopping The Conservatives from making harsher cuts on Scottish services is voting for the SNP and securing Scotland’s future away from Westminster and away from Tory cuts.

We will fully implement the findings of the Morgan review of additional support for learning and invest in funding for councils to expand on the number of Pupil Support Assistants working in Scotland’s classrooms.

As we head closer to the Tories marking a decade in power, we are being forced to use Scotland’s budget to mitigate the impacts of their welfare cuts.

SOCIAL CARE & CARE FOR THE ELDERLY IN TODAY’S SCOTLAND

It’s time to change paths and stop the Tories disastrous plans for welfare.

IMPROVING SCOTLAND’S CULTURE SECTOR The SNP recognise the importance of Scotland’s culture sector on our economy and our nation.

We will call for the devolution of broadcasting to the Scottish Parliament to allow for Scotland’s broadcasting sector to grow and prosper.

We will also establish a £500,000 ‘Scottish Broadcasting Fund’ that will allocate funding to new broadcasting initiatives across our country.

We have done lots to make Scotland’s culture sector more accessible and we will continue to do more to protect our heritage and culture from big businesses.

We will continue the highly successful EXPO fund for Edinburgh’s major festivals, Celtic Connections and Glasgow International, reviewing how it can continue to meet its aims of ensuring the Festivals maintain their global competitive edge, increasing the funding available to Scottish artists and practitioners, and encouraging creative collaborations.

To ensure our social care system consistently delivers high quality services across Scotland, we will call for the establishment of a National Care Service here in Scotland, to oversee the delivery of care, improve standards, ensure enhanced pay and conditions for workers and provide better support for unpaid carers.

We will also welcome and support all efforts towards the establishment of a National Care Service in England & Wales and we will work with all parties at Westminster to build a better social care system for all.

As part of a rights-based approach to care, we will strengthen residents rights in adult residential settings. This will include delivering legislation giving nominated relatives or friends the same access rights to care homes as staff while following stringent infection control procedures, as called for by Care Home Relatives Scotland.

We believe social care services, just like health care services, should be provided on a truly universal basis, free at the point of use. An SNP government will therefore abolish charges for nonresidential care and call for the same at Westminster.

As we create the National Care Service, we will review the number, structure and regulation of health boards – and other related delivery services – to remove unwarranted duplication of functions and make best use of the public purse.

SNP Manifesto 2019

OUR AMBITIOUS RECORD IN GOVERNMENT It’s Time | SNP Manifesto 2019

RECORD NHS FUNDING SMALL BUSINESS BONUS SUPER-FAST BROADBAND OVER 60,000 NEW HOMES BORDERS RAILWAY POLICE SCOTLAND FORMED ABOLISHED BRIDGE TOLLS FREE TUITION DELIVERED THE BABY BOX

DELIVERING FOR SCOTLAND SNP.ORG/RECORD

SCOTLAND MAKES REACHING NET-ZERO FOR A GREENER SCOTLAND Scotland has lots of work to do in order to reach our climate change targets, and the SNP understand that.

This section of our manifesto sets out why we must reach these ambitious targets, and how we are going to reach them.

The SNP firmly believe that climate change isn’t a political issue, it’s a global issue and we must work internationally to ensure that we stop the rise in global temperatures, before it is too late.

It’s time to tackle the climate crisis.

SNP Manifesto 2019

IT’S TIME TO TACKLE THE CLIMATE CRISIS WITH STRONG POLITICAL WILL The climate crisis is the biggest threat to humanity yet and we must do more to stop climate change, before it is too late.

We require a huge amount of political will, from all sides of the political spectrum, to deal with this man-made crisis that is ruing communities and settlements across the globe.

We will pressure all political parties to join our efforts in ensuring that the planet is protected and prepared for the future, and that we stop the 1.5(C) rise in global temperatures from pre-industrial levels.

Every single political party and every single politician must agree to do all that we can to stop the rise in global temperatures and to stop big corporations from getting away with whatever they want, regardless of the environmental implications.

It’s time to deal with the climate crisis with the proper tools and political will that it rightfully deserves and needs.

DEALING WITH RISING SEA LEVELS Scotland sits on an island, and as the climate crisis is causing sea levels to rise through thermal expansion we must do more.

ENGAGING THE FUTURE GENERATIONS We support the inclusion of the climate emergency and ecological crisis in teacher training and a new professional teaching qualification to help the continued upskilling of educators.

We will also further promote and support outdoor learning as a way of increasing awareness and appreciation of nature. We will trial the first outdoor primary learning facilities in Scotland, building on the success of outdoor early learning and forest kindergartens.

The SNP Scottish Government have implemented several initiatives to encourage younger generations to participate in the environmental discussion and be active in implementing mitigating measures.

It is vital that we inspire a future generation of young people to immerse themselves in the climate debate and ensure that their views and opinions are heard.

It’s time to listen to and respect the views of our younger people.

It is their future and they are the future.

AT WESTMINSTER WE WILL:

Funding for flood protection is protected at £42 million a year for the next decade, as more than 10,000 families will benefit from a ten year strategy to protect homes in many of Scotland’s most flood-prone communities.

• Ensure the climate crisis is dealt with,

We will further our flood protection plans, and we will put pressure on the UK Government to do more to protect communities from rising sea levels and the increased flood risk.

• Create a just transition away from oil & gas.

There are also over 100 flood protection studies which will be carried out to help find potential solutions for another 26,000 residential properties currently at risk of flooding.

We will work with Scottish local authorities to ready and prepare our towns and communities that are prone to flooding, and we will ensure that Scotland’s urban areas are prepared to deal with flooding.

SUPPORTING THE CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF WOODLAND We recognise the importance of Scotland’s woodland and will continue to expand our plans to create more woodland across our country.

Growing our forests is key to tackling the climate emergency we are facing. Currently, around 12 million tonnes of CO2 are absorbed by Scotland’s forests every year, and increasing the size of our forests and woodlands means we can store even more greenhouse gases..

We will increase our targets for new woodland creation by 50%, from 12,000 hectares up to 18,000 hectares per year by 2025.

Forests and woodlands are a natural powerhouse and among Scotland’s most valuable rural assets. Our ambition is for them to expand and flourish.

We will ensure that trees, woodlands and natural resources play a key role in flood prevention schemes, in riparian repair activity and to address air pollution.

• Support all efforts to meet Net-Zero targets, • Expand our Renewable energy network and

A JUST CLIMATE TRANSITION THAT IS BUILT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY There are encouraging signs Scotland’s oil and gas industry is emerging from its recent downturn, thanks to the efforts of the men and women who have made it an international success story.

Despite raising £330 billion in tax revenues for the UK Treasury, Westminster has repeatedly failed to provide adequate support for the industry and the families which depend upon it.

The SNP Scottish Government will work with all political parties to create new, sustainable, jobs in the North East of Scotland and create a smooth transition away from the Oil & Gas industry.

OUR TARGETS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET By 2030, we aim to generate 50% of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewable sources, as we pave the way to reaching the world-class target of net zero by 2045.

Building on Scotland’s strength in energy, we will develop a new programme of work within our enterprise agencies, working with companies in high carbon industries like oil and gas to develop new technologies or access new low-carbon markets for their products, both nationally and internationally.

The Tories have shameful net-zero plans that will ruin our planet.

It’s time for Scotland to take the lead and become a fully net-zero nation.

Our team

NICOLA Holyrood Leader

SNP Manifesto 2019

KATE

Westminster Leader

SCOTLAND’S LEADERSHIP

NICOLA First Minister of Scotland

JOHN

Deputy First Minister & Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills

JOHN SWINNEY Deputy First Minister of Scotland | SNP Policy Director

This election could be declared as one of the most important in the future of our country, and every vote matters.

Scotland stands at a critical political point and we must, as a nation, ensure that we make the correct choice.

While Westminster has been paralysed by Brexit, while the Tories have inflicted their damaging civil war on the rest of us, we have been building the new Scotland.

We have delivered record health funding. We have a record number of Scots going to university and record numbers from the poorest backgrounds getting a place too.

Week after week of an internal battle within the Tory Party has been played out in front of us all where – for the U.K. Government – the survival of the Tory Party has been more important than protecting the jobs, livelihoods and opportunities of the people of our country.

We will be determined to ensure that everyone in Scotland is heard, and the democratic will of the people of Scotland is respected and acted upon.

If the Brexit fiasco has told us anything, it has demonstrated we need to have a better dialogue about how we change our country.

A discussion that includes everyone. A reasoned debate about the choices we face. A discussion that confronts the challenges ahead but lifts the hopes and the aspirations of our people.

You’ll never win in the Labour heartlands. We’ve done that too. And there are no Labour heartlands now.

You will never win a Holyrood election they said.

We did that. Three times.

Then of course, they now say you cannot have another independence referendum and won’t win it if you do.

We’ll see about that.

SNP Manifesto 2019

THE FUTURE OF SCOTLAND’S PARLIAMENT Scotland is in a political crisis and we are faced with the constant threat of a Westminster power grab or Westminster ignoring the democratic will of the Scottish Parliament.

While the current devolution settlement has its benefits, it’s just not working for the people of Scotland. The imbalance of power creates a huge divide in our political systems.

The SNP firmly believe that the Scottish people and Scotland’s parliament is sovereign and Westminster is not the true parliament that should be governing Scotland.

It’s time for Scotland’s parliament to be respected.

THE CURRENT DEVOLUTION SETTLEMENT JUST ISN’T WORKING FOR SCOTLAND The current devolution agreement between the Scottish Parliament and Westminster just isn’t cutting it for the Scottish people, and it’s time we changed that .

Below, we have outlined what powers that Scotland has, and what powers Westminster holds back.

SCOTLAND’S POWERS • Agriculture, forestry and fisheries • Education and training • Environment • Housing • Income Tax • Law and order • Local government • Sport and the arts • Tourism and economic development • Most Aspects of Transport • Some Social Security powers

WESTMINSTER’S POWERS • Benefits and social security • Taxes • Pensions

The SNP will always in stand in fierce opposition to power grabs from Westminster and stand firmly in our belief that Scotland’s Parliament is sovereign.

This election we are threatened with a real risk of a right wing Tory government that imposes harsh cuts and power grabs upon the Scottish people, and we will not stand for it.

Every SNP MP will directly stand up for the Scottish people and do all that we can to stop Westminster power grabs.

• Immigration • Defence

There is only one way to stop Westminster from turning around and snatching Scotland’s powers, Independence.

• Foreign policy • Employment • Broadcasting • Trade and industry • Nuclear energy, oil, coal, gas and electricity • Consumer rights

SCOTLAND NEEDS A BETTER DEAL

LET’S REALLY TAKE BACK CONTROL

From Day One, we will call on the UK Government to introduce a new Scotland Act that would put key powers in the hands of the Scottish Parliament and away from Westminster.

Kate Forbes has made the rightful argument that Scotland simply cannot afford to leave key powers in the hands of Westminster, and we will continue to campaign to leave the UK.

WHAT POWERS WILL WE DEMAND FROM DAY ONE

STOPPING WESTMINSTER POWER GRABS WITH POLITICAL MIGHT

We will continue to make the strong case for Scottish Independence to the Scottish people and at Westminster in the House of Commons.

We will establish a group of SNP Members of Parliament who will be dedicated to stopping all power grabs from any Westminster Government, and Kate Forbes will lead that group.

We will organise rallies and protests, all in the name of democracy to stop all power grabs that Scotland faces.

It’s time to stand up to Westminster and reject their policies. It’s time for independence.

A Vote for the SNP can stop Westminster.

JOIN OUR JOURNEY TO BUILD A FAIRER, INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND

From Day One, we will demand a series of key powers be handed directly to the Scottish people.

We have a huge challenge ahead of us, but as a party we continue to defy the odds and make real, progressive change for the people We will demand for the devolution of Employment Law, to allow of Scotland, and now is the time to join us on our journey to building a more equal and modern Scotland that is fit for the for the Scottish Parliament to ban Zero-Hours contracts and enforce stricter employee safety standards. future.

We will demand for the devolution of Consumer Rights and ensure that they are up to the highest possible standard, to ensure that Scottish consumers are getting the best quality product.

We are a party that stands on the shoulders of giants and was founded with the goal of ensuring Scotland is respected, and ensuring that Scotland becomes an Independent country.

We welcome all new members with open arms. Whatever your We will demand for the devolution of all Taxes to ensure that the background is, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is Scottish people are not subjected to the harshest possible Tory where we are going, toghther. taxes that damage the poorest in our society.

It’s time for the people of Scotland to be respected and listened We will demand for the devolution of pensions, to ensure that too, and It’s time for independence. that they are away from the hands of big businesses and Scotland, we have a choice to make. Get your jacket - It’s Time.

Westminster politicians that are backed by big banks.

It’s time for a better devolution deal for Scotland.

SNP Manifesto 2019

IT’S TIME SNP Manifesto 2019

Produced by Kate Forbes, Scottish National Party

IT’S TIME

MANIFESTO 2019