Stronger for Scotland - SNP Group Manifesto

Parliamentary Manifesto 2017

“Scotland’s party, for Sco Introduction Kate Forbes MP

Scotland has spoken. The SNP have been re-elected by the Scottish people to stand up for them at Westminster, and now there is an SNP MP for all but one seat in Scotland.

Not only have we been re-elected with our highest number of seats, but also with our highest ever vote share.

I want to thank every single activist, campaigner, candidate and voter for making their voice heard during the election period. Your work is not just a credit to yourself and the SNP, but to your country.

It is now my job to make my promises that I made during the election campaign, come true.

The SNP were overwhelmingly endorsed by the Scottish people. We are now Scotland’s party, for Scotland’s people.

The SNP have come to an agreement with the Liberal Democrats to form a joint front bench in the House of Commons to stop brexit.

Let me be clear, this does not change our view on independence, and the SNP have already requested a Section 30 order to hold a referendum.

Any attempt to block this request is not just standing in the way of the SNP, but standing in direct opposition to the democratically given mandate by the Scottish people.

The SNP are stronger for Scotland.

As I write this, I await the response from the Prime Minster. Regardless if a S30 order is granted, a referendum will be held on Scotland’s future.

Scotland’s future is not the decision of Westminster, but the decision of the Scottish people - that is clear.

In 2014, three major parties signed “the vow”, well I have a new vow. My vow is to the Scottish people, and nobody else.

I don’t have any alliances to big corporations or party donors, only to the Scottish people.

My mandate, Scotland’s mandate, for a referendum is indisputable.

The case for independence is not one based on hatred or division, but one based on love, hope and prosperity.

Pro-Brexit unionists will argue that leaving the UK would have devastating consequences for Scotland, while trying to drag us out of the European market, that is eight times the size of the UK's, against Scotland’s will.

Scotland has given a clear mandate to remain in the EU, and to hold a referendum on leaving the UK. No politician or political party can make the argument that Scotland wants to remain in the United Kingdom, and in doing so, they would be telling a lie.

The next steps for Scotland are clear, to remain in the European Union, and to leave the United Kingdom.

I want to send a clear message to Westminster, Scotland rejects you.

Scotland rejects Westminster and Scotland rejects the United Kingdom.

Introduction Kate Forbes MP

otland’s people.”

Join us on our journey to make Scotland a fairer, wealthier, greener & safer independent country.

Tapadh Leibh

KateForbes

Making the case for independence.

Kate Forbes MP After the SNP’s historic election victory, our job now is to make the case for independence.

The SNP will build a committee dedicated to making the case for independence, led by myself, Rona MacKay and Humza Yousaf.

And that case must be build on hope, love and prosperity.

We will publish a report on the idea of independence, and how we can achieve our end goal of being an independent country.

A case for independence that unites our nation in the name of prosperity is a case that can be won.

We will build a strong platform in Holyrood and Westminster to make our case to both Parliaments.

Independence, in the eyes of our party - is not about riches, glory or freedom.

We will open “Independence centres” in some of the most prounion areas of Scotland to make our case to them.

It is about giving Scotland a fair chance on the world stage, and the only way that Scotland can be given that chance is as an independent country.

Scotland’s position in the UK is broken beyond repair - and the only way now for Scotland to be unleashed from the barriers built by Westminster is for Scotland to be an independent country, because that is what Scotland wants and what Scotland needs.

As we head forward, into our parliamentary term, the SNP will up our game and make the case of independence to every town, village and household in Scotland.

It is crucial that we expand beyond our voter base if we are determined to win a referendum on Scotland’s future - that is why the SNP will reach out to pro-independence party's like the Scottish Greens and Scottish Socialist Party, and reach out to pro-Indy factions of the Scottish Labour Party, to build a cross-party action group.

We must expand out of our comfort zones to build a movement that will win the case for independence.

It is clear that in order to win, we must do lots more, so let’s work toghther and let’s win.

Making the Independence case Kate Forbes MP

NEXT STEPS Build a committee focused on independence.

Make the case for independence to every Scottish home.

Publish a report on the idea of independence.

Building a fairer & equal Scotland for all.

Rona MacKay QC MP Scotland has overwhelmingly endorsed the SNP’s pledge to build a fairer, safer and more equal Scotland, and now we must get on with the job.

Since coming into office in 2007, the SNP have dramatically shifted Scotland’s justice landscape, with crime rates down by 45%.

In addition to this stark decrease in crime, we have also introduced 1000 new police officers onto our streets, making our country safer.

My experience in justice has shown me that we need reform to our system and we must tackle all forms of discrimination.

We also must tackle the drug crisis head on. This includes the devolution of drugs policy to the Scottish Parliament and the legalisation of recreational drugs like marijuana.

Building a fairer Scotland must include making Scotland a nicer and more welcoming place to live for New Scots.

Scotland’s justice system is in need if reform, that is why I pledge to chair a report and publish it on improvements that we can make to Scotland’s justice system.

In order to build Scotland into a fairer place of new, immigrant, Scots, I pledge to work the Scottish Government to build a new service, within Police Scotland, that is dedicated to improving the lives of New Scots.

It has become clear over the past few years that the Home Office is no longer fit for purpose, that is why I will work with other political parties in Westminster to reform the the Home Office, and to put an end to the unfair mass deportations that we have seen take place in recent years.

It is clear that more work must be done to build Scotland’s justice system into a more fairer and more equal society, because that's what Scotland voted for.

I will work with all of my SNP representatives to build Scotland into a fairer place to live, work and study.

Building a faier Scotland will be at the heard of what I do.

Building a fair & equal Scotland Rona Mackay QC MP

NEXT STEPS Write a report on improvements that can be made to the Justice system.

Make the case for independence Reform Homehome.

Office and put to everythe Scottish a stop to unfair and cruel Publish a report on the idea of mass deportations. independence.

Standing up for Scotland and her people.

Humza Yousaf MP It is a fundamental democratic principle that those of us who are elected to represent the Scottish people, stand up for the Scottish people.

The SNP have stood against Tory Cuts in the last parliament, and in this one, we will ensure we stand against all attempts to pull Scotland out of the European Union.

One thing is fundamentally clear, SNP MP’s are Standing up for Scotland and Costing Less!

That is why my pledge is to stand up for the Scottish people at Westminster and work with my colleagues in Holyrood to stand up for them there too.

Over the course of the next parliamentary term, SNP MP’s will make themselves more accessible to rural Scottish and island communities.

Before our historic re-election, the SNP were the loudest and strongest voice for the people of Scotland.

We pledge to give a voice in Westminster to all who need one and to ensure their concerns are met with the most professionalism and seriousness.

Since 2015, the SNP tabled 4000 written questions to the UK Government.

Between 2015-2016, the SNP MP’s in Westminster spoke in an average of 61 debates, compared to 27 for their 2014-2015 predecessors.

We will also hold a referendum on Scotland’s future in the United Kingdom ensuring that Scotland is heard, with the referendum being held before the end of 2020.

SNP MP’s cost £1 million less in 2015-2016 than their 2014-2015 counterparts.

Now, more than ever, it’s vital that Scotland continues to have strong voices at Westminster.

It is clear that the SNP have Scotland and her people at heart, and that will never, ever, change!

Over the past 2 years, we’ve worked tirelessly to stand up for Scotland.

Standing up for Scotland Humza Yousaf MP

NEXT STEPS Ensure rural communities have an accessible MP. Take all concerns seriously and professionally.

Be the loudest and strongest voice for Scotland’s people.