It?s time to move forward

On May 3 Scotland will choose a new government.

After 8 years of low ambition and low achievement from the current Scottish Executive we believe it is time for fresh thinking and a new approach.

This manifesto sets out our ideas and proposals to build a more successful Scotland.

It?s time for a nation that is healthier, with vital health services kept local; communities that are safer with a more visible police presence on our streets and families that are wealthier, with lower and fairer local tax leaving more money in peoples pockets at the end of every month.

We are working hard to earn the trust and support of the people of Scotland and we will trust Scots to take the decision on Scotland?s future in an independence referendum. The choice will be yours. That is the fair and democratic way.

Fresh thinking and a new approach

The SNP has clear ambitions for Scotland. We have no doubt Scotland can be more successful.

Healthier

Our nation can be healthier. The SNP will keep vital health services local and reverse the decision to close Ayr and Monklands A&E. With an SNP government there will be a presumption against centralisation of core hospital services to protect local access to healthcare.

Wealthier

Families in Scotland can be wealthier. An SNP government will remove the burden of business rates from 120,000 small businesses, freeing them to grow and create more and better paid jobs. Small businesses sit at the heart of local economies and with the right support they will flourish.

Safer

Local communities can be safer. An SNP government will put more police on our streets to detect and deter crime. And we will come down hard on those who sell alcohol to underage Scots and fuel anti-social behaviour.

Fairer

Local taxes can be fairer. The SNP will scrap the Council Tax and introduce a fairer system based on ability to pay. Families and individuals on low and middle incomes will on average be between £260 and £350 a year better off. Nine out of ten pensioners will pay less local tax.

Easier

Life should be easier for young families. The SNP will increase by 50% the amount of free nursery education available for 3 and 4 year olds.

Greener

Scotland can be greener. An SNP government will not give the go ahead for new nuclear power stations. We will invest instead in developing Scotland?s extensive renewable energy potential.

Smarter

Scotland can be smarter. It?s time for more opportunities for young Scots with smaller class sizes and it?s time to dump student debt.

A more successful Scotland

The SNP cares about success for families in Scotland. That is why we are passionate about independence and equality for our nation.

The 300-year old Union is no longer fit for purpose. It was never designed for the 21st century world. It is well past its sell by date and is holding Scotland back.

The SNP believe Scotland and England should be equal nations ? friends and partners – both free to make our own choices.

Scotland can be more successful. Looking around at home and at our near neighbours abroad, more and more Scots believe this too. Independence is the natural state for nations like our own.

Success for Scotland

Scotland has the people, the talent and potential to become one of the big success stories of the 21st century. We can match the success of independent Norway ? according to the UN the best place in the world to live. We can do as well as independent Ireland, now the fourth most prosperous nation on the planet.

With independence Scotland will be free to flourish and grow. We can give our nation a competitive edge.

Peace and Prosperity

Together we can build a more prosperous nation, a Scotland that is a force for good, a voice  for peace in our world.

Free to bring Scottish troops home from Iraq.

Free to remove nuclear weapons from Scotland?s shores.

Free to invest our oil wealth in a fund for future generations.

Peace and prosperity – equality and opportunity.

These are some of the best reasons for independence and why the SNP trust the people of Scotland to decide on independence in a referendum.

Our manifesto

You can download our manifesto as a pdf document below.  You can also download our manifesto magazine and a document outlining the first steps an SNP government will take.

Also available for download are versions of our manifesto in Gaelic, Polish and Urdu.

If you would like to order a paper copy of our manifesto telephone 0131 525 8900 or email snp.hq@snp.org

Our manifesto builds on proposals already set out in ?Building a more successful Scotland?, ?Let Scotland Flourish? and ?It’s time to look forward?. You can download these publications by clicking on the links on the left hand side of your screen.

You can find out more about our detailed proposals to make Scotland more successful by clicking on the links on the left hand side of your screen.