Newington's Jodie Gordon analyses the SNP manifesto and what it means for Scotland and the potential future of the United Kingdom.

Following the SNP’s success in 2015, winning 56 of the 59 seats Scotland holds in Westminster, the Party will be hoping for a similar victory this year. This is clear from the Party’s manifesto which sets out its record in Scotland and highlights the need for Scotland’s voice to be heard amongst “an increasingly hard line Conservative Government”. It argues, unsurprisingly, that only SNP MPs will stand up for Scotland’s best interests.

During the launch of the manifesto, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon emphasised how the manifesto seeks to ensure progressive policies are on the Westminster agenda, highlighting how the SNP has led the way on health, education, fair work and pay, social justice and housing. As with the 2015 General Election, Sturgeon emphasised her Party’s commitment to pursuing a “progressive alliance” in the event of a hung parliament, an offer which has been ruled out by Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn. While the SNP acknowledge the Conservatives are likely to achieve a majority in this year’s election, the offer of an alliance helps to attract those voters who are torn between voting for Labour or the SNP. Such voters may feel more comfortable voting SNP if an alliance will take place involving Labour. In turn, it’s also designed to frighten soft Labour voters in England, a tactic used to great effect during the 2015 General Election.

The manifesto builds on commitments made by Nicola Sturgeon following the EU referendum, promising to hold a second independence referendum “at the end” of the Brexit process. It pledges to protect Scotland’s place in the single market and demands for the Scottish Government to be involved in Brexit negotiations. It also makes a commitment to stand up for the rights of EU citizens at Westminster. These are important pledges to note, particularly given the 400,000 “Yes” voters who backed Leave in the EU referendum. 

Beyond independence commitments, the manifesto highlights SNP actions at a Scottish Government level, rather than direct UK-specific pledges. This includes the £120m Pupil Equity fund, retaining free university tuition in Scotland and building 50,000 affordable homes by 2021. However, the manifesto does detail a number of issues in which the SNP have pledged to challenge the Westminster Government, including prioritising connecting HS2 to Scotland, protecting the health service from privatisation and supporting the restoration of housing support for 18-21 year olds across the UK. On energy, the SNP pledges to fight for island interconnectors, to hold the UK Government to account on climate change targets and to press the Government to include onshore wind in its Industrial Strategy.  

As politics in Scotland appears to be becoming increasingly two party, the SNP versus the Conservatives, this manifesto is about positioning the SNP as the only true voice for Scotland against the Westminster Conservatives. However, the Scottish Conservatives are yet again positioning themselves as the only means to stop the SNP in their pursuit of independence. This election tactic was successfully implemented in both the 2016 Holyrood election and the recent 2017 local council elections and could well see a few yellow seats turn blue this June.

If you are interested in the SNP Manifesto and how it could impact your business, please contact Jodie Gordon at [email protected].