Stronger for Scotland - Manifesto 2020 by NE09883

MANIFESTO 2020

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SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

he SNP are Scotland’s party and we are ocused on building the best possible uture for our children and young people.

his manifesto is dedicated to the youth f today, who will be the leaders of omorrow.

hey rely on us to provide sensible and lear leadership that will shape their lives nd their futures, we cannot ever forget he influence that we all hold.

vote for the SNP is a vote to give cotland’s children a loud and strong oice at Westminster, and to build the est possible future for them.

rom Free Tuition, to free Bus Travel, we re focused on building a future where veryone is cared for.

or the future of our children, vote SNP.

FOREWORD Since 2015, we have come a long way, and we still have more work to do. SNP MPs in Westminster are working and delivering for Scotland. These elections really matter because we have to choose between two futures. A future of constant crumbling coalitions, or an alternative way of politics with the SNP. The choice is yours to make. The SNP Government in Holyrood are delivering for Scotland, with record NHS and Public Transport spending, we are using the Scottish Budget for good use. Scottish Taxpayers get the best deal in the UK. We are reforming Scotland’s housing sector, with new rights for tenants and better accountability for Landlords. We are building hundreds of thousands of new, affordable homes. The SNP Government are delivering record investment for the railways, record investment for roads and we have taken the boldest and most ambitious step yet - every Scottish person has entirely free bus travel. That is the impact of SNP leadership. The SNP Government are working for Scotland, with politicians who are focused on delivering for the people of Scotland. The SNP are the party who are not only delivering for Scotland, but the party that care for Scotland and her people. In this election, a vote for the SNP is an endorsement of our policies in Holyrood and a judgement on our leadership. I am asking you to judge the leadership of the SNP in Holyrood, and judge us on our record of governance and representation. Scotland needs MPs who are focused on standing up for them and their communities. The SNP are the party that are standing up for Scotland.

Whether we like it or not, Westminster is the central role in decisions making in the UK. If we want Scotland to actually have a role in the decision making process, we need to elect a strong team of Members of Parliament to send to Westminster. Every single SNP MP will put standing up for Scotland at the very heart of their work at Westminster. Since 2015, SNP MPs have been focused on delivering for Scotland. We have held the UK Government to account on key issues and called them out for their crumbling coalition. We have been determined to get it right for every single Scot. These elections really matter, and we must use our democratic voice and ensure that we elect the strongest possible team of MPs to send to Westminster. The strongest ever team to stand up for Scotland, because who else is going to do it? Westminster still holds powers over the constitution, powers over defence, over immigration, over lots of fiscal issues, and if we want to have a strong voice on these issues then we must elect SNP MPs. The SNP were founded to make Scotland an independent country, and while we haven’t reached that - yet - we have come so far, and in this election, we are proposing serious devolution and stronger representation at Westminster, because that is what we believe in. But Scotland will be an independent country. Maybe not in this election, or even the election after, but the SNP stand strong in our belief that Scotland should be an independent country. This manifesto sets out our core beliefs for Scotland’s future. We outline our headline policies, and provide an in-depth explanation to them. From better representation to a strong stance against the use of nuclear weapons, SNP policies guide this manifesto, and with your support, we can guide Scotland forward for the next 5 years at Westminster.

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

The SNP have fought long and hard for more powers to be The people of Scotland have a choice to make in devolved to the Scottish Parliament, and while the Scottish these elections. Parliament is much stronger today than it was in 2007, we still have a long way to go and more work to do. Do you want another 5 years of crumbling coalitions? Or, a stronger future with the SNP. The SNP will continue to fight for more powers for Scotland, and our message remains clear; More SNP Mps in Westminster means more powers for Scotland and her On May 7, Vote for the SNP - Stronger for Scotland. Parliament. From Highland communities, to the urban areas of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the SNP are standing up for the whole of Scotland, regardless of whether you support us or independence - the SNP has you at the heart of our governance and representation.

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I hope that this manifesto provides you with the clarity that you need on the issues that matter to you and your families and communities. We are proposing the absolute abolition of the House of Lords, and replacing it with a democratically and proportionally elected second house. We are proposing a set of rules that would allow any member to leave the United Kingdom, if they choose to do so. We are proposing radical and ambitious policies that will drive Scotland forward, and change the future of Scotland for generations to come.

HER FUTURE IS ON THE BALLOT paper Since 2007, ambitious and transformational SNP policies have guided the future of Scotland’s youth. In these elections - judge us on that record. From free bus travel, hundreds of new hours of childcare and free tuition, Scotland’s children have a much better future secured than they did in 2007. But a vote for one of the Westminster parties puts all of that progress in jeopardy, and risks our money being spent on more nuclear weapons, rather than the youth of today. Her future is on the ballot paper. Her future is in your hands. On May 7, Vote SNP.

FOR EDINBURGH STRONGER FOR HIGHLAND STRONGER FOR SCOTLAND STRONGER FOR ABERDEEN STRONGER FOR Glasgow STRONGER FOR DUNDEE

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020 SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

SCOTLAND’S VOICE AT WESTMINSTER

MORE POWERS FOR SCOTLAND

The SNP are Scotland’s voice at Westminster, and we Since 2015, thanks to the hard work of the SNP team at represent all of Scotland. We put Scotland at the heart of Westminster, we have seen the devolution of lots of new every issue, every debate, every decision that must be powers to the Scottish Parliament. made. We are using Scotland’s powers for good, but more work SNP Mps will remain focused on giving the people of needs to be done to see more powers come to the Scotland a strong voice at Westminster and representing Scottish Parliament. Scotland on key issues from the green benches. The SNP will call for the devolution of the following powers to Scotland’s Parliament; REFORM FOR THE HOUSE OF COMMONS We are proposing major reforms for the House of Commons, that includes changing the way in which Mps are elected and changing the way in which legislation is • passed. • The SNP propose that the House of Commons adopt an Additional Member System ‘AMS’ into how Mps are • elected to the House, similar to the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments. • We also propose a legal requirement for Mps, who take • their seats in the House of Commons, to hold at least 10 constituency surgeries each year. This allows for Mps to • be held to account by their constituents. We will work towards a better style of politics at • Westminster. •

Constitutional Arrangements All Social Security and Tax Raising Powers Equality and Employment Law Human Rights All Aspects of Transport The power to decide if Nuclear Weapons are held in Scotland. Franchising of UK elections in Scotland. All Aspects of Drug Policy

ABOLITION OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS We continue to share the belief that the undemocratic House of Lords does not work and we will continue to The SNP believe that the people of Scotland must have fight for a more equal and democratic system at the power to choose their own future when they want. We also believe that the best future for Scotland is as an Westminster. independent country. We aim to replace the House of Lords with a democratically elected 350 member second house, DEMOCRACY IN ACTION known as the ‘Senate of Nations’ that represents all of the UK. Every single member country of the United Kingdom should have the option to leave if they choose so. That is Since the merger of the National Party of Scotland, and a fundamental democratic principle. the Scottish Party, we have refused to appoint anyone to be considered for a position in the House of Lords. We shouldn’t have to navigate through dirty Westminster politics if we want to see democracy in action. There must It is undemocratic that an purely appointed or inherited be a set of rules that would allow Scotland to leave the position has so much power. We cannot continue to call UK, if we want too. ourselves a democratic country if the House of Lords continues to exist. We are proposing legislation that would mean if one country chooses to leave the UK, we are given the option The idea that some people are greater than others is to do so. outdated, and the SNP will make it our mission to make the Westminster system much more democratic for the We propose ‘The United Kingdom (Membership) Bill, and next generation of Scots. it would mean that if a political party can prove to a randomised panel of Mps that there is a mandate for a referendum on their future, then a referendum must be held.

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

SCOTLAND’S PLACE IN THE WORLD Constitution Secretary Nicola Sturgeon with voters in Edinburgh Central, making the case for an independent Scotland. The SNP believe that Scotland should be an independent country, that can contribute within the European Union. Scotland is the ideal size to succeed as an independent country, and has the potential to grow even more without UK austerity. A vote for the SNP is a vote to unchain Scotland from the shackles of Westminster rule.

CULTURE Scotland has a culture sector that generates billions of pounds to our communities and our economy, but it is more than just a stream of money - it’s our way of life. The SNP Government are already taking steps to ensure that our languages are protected and that our heritage is preserved. In addition, we will invest millions of pounds into tourist services for a stronger Scotland.

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

PROTECTING COMMUNITIES INSPIRING COMMUNITIES GROWING COMMUNITIES building COMMUNITIES Leading COMMUNITIES

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

COMMUNITY FOCUSED

RURAL ECONOMY

The SNP have a simple pledge to the people of Scotland; A large portion of Scotland people are reliant on the Rural Our Mps will care for you and your communities. That’s it. Economy, and we have big plans to expand and regenerate the Rural Economy. And if they don’t, we will sack them. We will introduce more support for farmers, with a yearly We need Members of Parliament that are focused on package of £4.7 million dedicated to helping one of the delivering and regenerating communities, Mps who have most important economic sectors. a relationship with their constituents. A relationship of trust and friendship. SUPPORTING WORKERS SNP Mps will put communities at the heart of our work in Decades of poor leadership from Labour have left Westminster. workers with little support and they find themselves lost, in a political and economic way. We want to offer them an alternative to Labour’s messy way of leading. MORE POWERS TO COUNCILS SNP Mps will fight for more powers for Scotland, and that We will support every single Scottish worker, with a minimum wage of £10.70 an hour for those over the age means more powers for Scotland’s Councils too. of 18. The role of the council has never been more important. It’s the council who deal with the day-to-day running of your As House prices, and the overall cost of living starts to rise, we must ensure that the wage rises alongside that, life, your education, and your care services. so that workers aren’t left to have to scrape at the bottom We will give councils the power to nationalise public of the barrel. transport in their authority area. We will give councils the power to set their own council tax rate, within Scottish The SNP can and will be the alternative to Labour. We can be the true party of the workers. Government Guidelines.

SUBSTANCE AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

ISLAND COMMUNITIES

Drug Addiction and Alcoholism remain an issue in Scottish Communities. We will call for the devolution of all drug policy, to allow for the Scottish Parliament to have all the necessary powers to take appropriate action to tackle the drugs crisis.

We want to build bridges (literally) and expand transport routes to Scotland’s island communities. We want to introduce fibre optic broadband on all islands, and better mobile phone service.

We want to introduce more mobile libraries and allow We will deter people from abusing alcohol by increasing island residents to have better access to NHS and the minimum unit pricing and introduce legislation that Banking services. would mean all drinks over 40% in alcohol content must be kept behind the counter. URBAN DEVELOPMENT We want to re-imagine neighbourhoods, and see an end to roads that are dominated by cars. We want to We will redirect power and wealth from Westminster, encourage more cycling and more walking, and we will promote the use of public transport. straight into communities.

WEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY

We will work with local councils to establish a plan that We will support campaigns to remove the M8 from parts will see the balance of power moved into the hands of of Glasgow and replace it with more areas for people to local, working people. It is vital that people have the congregate and live. power to make decisions over their own future. For better communities, that are focused on the things We want to generate more income and create new, that matter, Vote SNP on May 7. reliable and sustainable jobs in Scottish communities .

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

MHAIRI BLACK Paisley & Renfrewshire south SNP Candidate for Paisley & Renfrewshire South, Mhairi Black, meets with young people in the constituency. Mhairi has a burning passion to ignite change in her local community, and has done so in the past 5 years. May 7th is your opportunity to re-elect Mhairi Black as the MP for this wonderful area, and give the constituency one of the strongest voices at Westminster. Mhairi wants to untangle decades of Labour mismanagement of her constituency. Let’s send Mhairi Black, back to Westminster. #VoteSNP on May 7

FOOD & DRINK Scotland has a food and drink sector like no other, that is worth around £15 billion! Scottish Whisky alone accounts for ¼ of all UK food and drink exports. Not only does our food and drink sector make billions of pounds every single year, it generates and sustains thousands of jobs and is a lifeline to communities. We will always support Scotland’s food and drink sector.

SNP General Election Manifesto 2020

ROGER MULLIN Kircaldy & cowdenbeath SNP Candidate for the Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath constituency, Roger Mullin is determined to get it right for his constituency. The people of this constituency have a choice to make, better politics with the SNP or under representation with Kate Stewart’s Labour? From serious leadership on the climate crisis, better NHS and care services and louder voices in Westminster, the SNP are and will continue to deliver for Scotland. On May 7, Send Roger Mullin to Westminster with an increased mandate for Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath.

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MANIFESTO 2020