WHO IS

GOING TO
STAND UP
FOR
SCOTLAND?
Ambition for the future,
Stronger for Scotland.
“It’s time to choose Scotlan
for Scottish Democracy.”
As the leader of the Scottish National Party and the First
Minister of Scotland, I am delighted to provide a detailed
insight into our manifesto for the 2019 UK General
Election.
Our manifesto is centred around the core principle of
empowering Scotland, ensuring that our nation is
equipped with the necessary tools and resources to
thrive, and making sure that Scotland's voice is heard
and respected on the global stage.
First and foremost, we will continue to make the case for
Scottish independence, and we believe that Scotland has
the right to determine its own future. This is especially
important in the current political climate, where the
Westminster government is neglecting the interests of
Scotland and putting our future prosperity in jeopardy.
Brexit has been a key issue dominating politics in the UK,
and it has a profound impact on the Scottish economy.
As the leader of the Scottish National Party and the First
Minister of Scotland, I am committed to ensuring that
Scotland's interests are protected in the Brexit
negotiations.
The Scottish economy is heavily reliant on trade with the
EU, with around 46% of our exports going to EU
member states. The uncertainty surrounding Brexit has
already caused damage to our economy, and the
potential for a no-deal Brexit would be disastrous for
Scotland. A no-deal Brexit would lead to significant job
losses, reduced investment, and a decline in our overall
economic output.
That is why we are calling for the UK to remain in the
single market and the customs union. This would ensure
that our businesses can continue to trade freely with the
EU and benefit from the customs union's tariff-free trade.
Remaining in the single market would also provide a
framework for regulatory alignment, which is crucial for
many Scottish industries, including the food and drink
sector. businesses to sell their products and services in
the EU.
Furthermore, we are committed to protecting the rights
of EU citizens living in Scotland. They are our friends, our
neighbours, and our colleagues, and we believe that
they should be allowed to stay in Scotland and continue
to contribute to our society. We have also called for a
Scottish visa system to be established to attract skilled
workers to Scotland and to support our economy.
In addition to this, we are also committed to tackling the
poverty and inequality that blight our communities. We
will work to increase the Scottish Child Payment, which
provides much-needed financial support to low-income
families. We will also tackle the gender pay gap and
ensure that women are paid the same as men for the
same work.
We are also committed to investing in our public
services, such as healthcare and education. We will
increase funding for the NHS, recruit more healthcare
professionals, and provide free personal care for elderly
people. We will also increase investment in education,
providing free school meals for all primary school
children and expanding free childcare provision.
 SNP Manifesto 2019

nd’s future and stand up

We believe that protecting our environment is crucial, It’s time to choose Scotland’s future, and stand up for
and we will take bold action to address the climate Scottish Democracy, before we are dragged out of the
emergency. We will phase out fossil fuel cars, invest in European Union, against our expressed democratic will.
renewable energy, and ban single-use plastics.
It’s time for the SNP.
Our manifesto is a comprehensive plan for Scotland's
future. We are committed to empowering Scotland,
tackling poverty and inequality, investing in public
services, protecting our environment, and ensuring that
Scotland's voice is heard in the Brexit negotiations.

We will work tirelessly to ensure that Scotland's voice is

heard in the Brexit negotiations. We will work to secure
the best possible outcome for Scotland, including
continued access to the single market and the customs
union.
THE NEXT STEPS TO A
STRONGER SCOTLAND.

It’s time to choose our own future.

In this election, a vote for the SNP is a vote for an independence referendum. It is
now of a paramount importance that the people of Scotland are given an
opportunity to choose their future at the ballot box.

Standing up for Scottish Democracy

We campaigned for Scotland to remain in the European Union, and we will
continue to support Scotland’s rightful place in Europe. We are determined to stop
the Tories and Labour from dragging Scotland out of the EU against our will.

Standing up to Tory Austerity

Since 2010, Tory Austerity has been a major factor to why many people are
currently unable to put food on the table. Despite this, the SNP Government has
worked to mitigate the impacts of Austerity and we will continue to do so.

Improving public services

The UK, as a whole, is now in dire need of improved public services and
infrastructure. SNP representatives in the House of Commons will be determined
to ensure that reform of key public services takes place.

More powers for Scotland

We continue to advocate for further powers to be devolved to the Scottish
Parliament in Holyrood. We will introduce a new Scotland Act that outlines more
powers for the Scottish Parliament and Government.

Ambition for the future, Stronger for Scotland

Only one party has Scotland at heart, and that’s the SNP. We will continue to stand
up for the people of Scotland. We have bold, ambitious policies that will drive
Scotland forward. Vote SNP.
 SNP Manifesto 2019

IT’S TIME
FOR THE
SNP Manifesto Inside
IT’S TIME TO
CHOOSE
OUR OWN
FUTURE
We believe that the people of Scotland should
have the power to determine their own future,
rather than being subject to decisions made by
a government in which we have limited
representation. We understand our country's
history, culture, and political landscape better
than anyone else, and we are best placed to
make decisions that will shape our future in a
positive way.

We firmly believe that Scotland's future should

be in Scotland's hands. For too long, decisions
about our country have been made in
Westminster, often without regard for our
unique needs and priorities.

It’s time for Scotland to choose our own future,

before the Tories decide it for us.
 SNP Manifesto 2019

SCOTLAND’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE:

AN INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM BY THE END OF 2020

A SECOND INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM SOCIAL JUSTICE

The SNP firmly believes that whenever the people of Scotland
want to choose their future in the UK, then they should have a
right to do so.
In these elections, a vote for the Scottish National Party is a vote to
hold an independence referendum by the end of 2020. We believe
that this would allow both sides of the debate to begin
preparations for a fair and inclusive campaign, and give enough
time for the people of Scotland to consider both options.
We argue that an independent Scotland could create a fairer and
more equal society. We could implement policies to tackle poverty,
inequality, and other social issues, which would improve the
quality of life for all Scots.
Additionally, as an independent nation, we could negotiate our
own trade deals with the EU and other countries, potentially
creating more favourable terms for Scottish businesses.

We hope to work with UK Government Ministers to ensure that

ECONOMIC BENEFITS
Scottish democracy is respected and upheld.
We know that Scotland has a wealth of natural resources,
including oil and gas, renewable energy, and a highly educated
workforce.
BREXIT
As an independent nation, we could use these resources to create
Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU in the 2016
a strong, diversified economy, and benefit from increased
Brexit referendum, but as part of the UK, we will be taken out of
international trade and investment.
the EU against our will. This has led to increased support for
Scottish independence, with many Scots feeling that their voices
are not being heard within the UK. POLITICAL VALUES

We argue that Scotland could rejoin the EU as an independent
nation, which would provide access to the Single Market and other
benefits of EU membership.
Sovereignty
With the UK moving towards a more conservative direction, we
believe that Scotland has increasingly divergent political values.
An independent Scotland could implement policies that reflect the
values and priorities of the Scottish people, rather than being
dictated by Westminster.

The SNP argue that Scotland should be able to make decisions
about its own affairs, rather than having policies dictated by
Westminster. We would always get the Government’s that we
vote for, rather than Scotland getting the Government that England
wants.
We believe that Scotland should have the right to choose its own
future, and we are committed to delivering a second
independence referendum to make that possible.

Additionally, an independent Scotland would have greater control

over its natural resources, such as oil and gas, which would enable
us to develop its economy and create jobs.
STANDING UP
FOR SCOTTISH
DEMOCRACY
Scottish democracy is under attack from the political
parties at Westminster. We are determined to stand up
for the people of Scotland and our right to have a say
on the issues that matter most to us.
In this election, we are proposing significant
constitutional reform that would introduce more
checks and balances on how decisions are made by our
lawmakers.
 SNP Manifesto 2019

DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND RENEWAL:

OUR CASE FOR A FAIRER DEMOCRACY

SCOTLAND’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE SUPPORTING DEVOLUTION

We believe that it is a fundamental democratic principle that the
people in Scotland should have a right to decide on our future.
We are proposing that the UK Government follow suit, and allow
the Scottish Parliament to legislate on matters that relate to
Scotland’s membership of the United Kingdom.
The Scottish people have already given multiple mandates for a
second referendum on Scottish independence, yet the UK
Government continues to ignore Scotland’s expressed democratic
will.
The SNP strongly support delivering more powers to all of the
devolved governments and local authorities around the UK.
We will work with our sister party, Plaid Cymru, to deliver more
powers to the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd Cymru.
Additionally, we will introduce a new Scotland Act that would
deliver more powers to the Scottish Parliament. We outline our
vision for this new, groundbreaking, legislation on the next page of
this manifesto.

We will hold an independence referendum by the end of 2021.

HOUSE OF LORDS

The SNP has long been advocating for the abolition of the House of
Lords, the upper house of the UK parliament. We believe that the
House of Lords is undemocratic, unelected, and unrepresentative
of the people of Scotland and the UK as a whole. The SNP has
been calling for the establishment of a fully elected second
chamber of the UK Parliament.

The SNP has also been critical of the number of peers in the House
of Lords, with more than 800 members, making it the second-
largest legislative body in the world after China's National People's
Congress. We argue that this number is too large, costly, and
ineffective.

LOWERING THE VOTING AGE

It was the SNP Government in that worked to lower the age to

vote for the 2016 Scottish elections. We are also advocates for the
lowering of the voter age for UK elections.

It is important that young people, who are already made to pay

tax, are entitled to choose who leads them.

We will work with all political parties to lower the voting age and
give younger Scots the rights that they are entitled too.
OUR VISION
FOR A NEW
SCOTLAND ACT
Westminster is determined to strip the Scottish Parliament
of key powers as the UK prepares to drag us out from the
European Union against our will.
We will seek to introduce new and ambitious legislation
that will deliver more powers to the Scottish Parliament
and the Scottish Government.
It’s time to take back control.
 SNP Manifesto 2019

AMBITIOUS LEGISLATION TO EMPOWER THE

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT AND GOVERNMENT

SCOTLAND’S FUTURE IN SCOTLAND’S

HANDS
We are serious when we advocate for the Scottish Parliament to
legislate on constitutional matters rather than Westminster and we
will be determined to come to a power-sharing agreement with
Westminster over matters relating to the constitution.

Furthermore, we will introduce a motion to declare the sovereignty

of the Scottish people and Parliament.

REFORM TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

We will include powers to increase the Scottish Parliaments
autonomy. We will empower the Scottish Parliament to make
decisions over matters such as how elections are called, who can
vote and vote thresholds.

Furthermore, we will give the Scottish Parliament powers to

amend parts of the Scotland Act, and updated editions of it.

WHAT POWERS ARE WE CALLING TO BE

DEVOLVED?
We are proposing an entire overhaul of the devolution settlement,
including handing powers to the Scottish Parliament over taxation
and borrowing.

Furthermore, we propose an entire reshape of the social security

system, allowing the Scottish Parliament more powers over
benefits.
MANIFESTO 2019