Scottish Labour: “A plan for change” – Sarwar launches Scottish Labour manifesto

Scottish Labour Manifesto

"Young people are the future of Scotland.

They have lived most, if not all, of their lives under an SNP government.

And they know this can't be as good as it gets.

This election is about the Scotland we build for these young people and the next generation.

It's about whether we have an NHS that is there when people need it.

It's about whether we have safe schools and safe streets.

It's about whether we give our children the education and opportunities they need to succeed.

It's about whether we create jobs and prosperity to grow our economy and make life more affordable.

That is the choice at this election.

More of the same with the SNP or change with Scottish Labour.

After 20 years of the SNP they have lost their way.

They have been given 20 years. I am asking you to give me five,

I am standing to be the next First Minister of Scotland and am asking you to give me five years to fix the SNP's mess.

Because I believe that change is needed.

And that a better future is possible.

I know that after 20 years of broken SNP promises some people are cynical about whether politics can deliver.

And no wonder.

Across our country, people are working hard, striving to do right by their families and loved ones

But they are still feeling let down by a government that can't even get the basics right.

The truth is that the SNP may be tired – full of excuses and out of ideas.

But that doesn't mean Scotland has to be.

The people who created the mess cannot be the ones to fix it.

They want to look back to arguments of the past but I want to look to the future.

And that is what this manifesto is all about

A real plan to fix the SNP's mess and end their waste.

A real plan to get the basics right for all those hard working Scots who just want a government that delivers.

And a real plan to build an ambitious and better future for the country we all love.

A plan to transform our country and deliver the change that Scotland needs. 

Take our NHS. 

It was created by a Labour government over 75 years ago on the principle that access to health care shouldn't be dependent on how much money you have.

It should be available to everyone when they need it. 

Delivering on that promise is better for people, better for our economy and better for our country. 

But after 20 years of the SNP it is a principle that isn't being met.

When record numbers of people feel forced to turn to private health care, not because they want to, but because they feel they have no other choice.

When thousands of patients are waiting years for treatment  

When people hang on the end of a phone, struggling to get hold of a GP. 

The principle that Labour fought for - an NHS that is there for all of us, free at the point of need - has been broken by the SNP.

Last night, John Swinney didn't even know how many people had been waiting over two years for NHS treatment. 

That is not the kind of First Minister I will be.  

Fixing the NHS is personal to me.

I started my working life in the NHS as a dentist in Paisley. 

I know what it means to serve patients, to care for people in their moment of need, and to be part of a public service that at its best reflects the best values of our great country.

That is why I cannot accept what has happened to it.

As First Minister one of my priorities will be to save our NHS so it is there when people need it. 

And that starts by fixing the mess that the SNP have made.

Last night from the debate audience we heard firsthand how the SNP have taken the generosity and dedication of staff for granted, run down services and let patients pay the price.

Every day of this election campaign John Swinney has talked about a government somewhere else, not the issues here.

And last night in the debate in every answer he talked about a government somewhere else, as he desperately tried to deflect from the government he has been at the heart of for 20 years

Patients and staff can't risk a third decade of the SNP in government. Our National Health Service is more important than that.

It's not the job of the First Minister to point fingers, it's the job of the First Minister to roll up their sleeves, like I did in Paisley everyday, and fix things. 

So that is why as First Minister I will cut waiting times, 

With money following the patient and using capacity across Scotland and across the UK so patients get treatment when they need it without having to go private. 

And I will create a new emergency mental health response, so people in crisis get NHS care, not a police response.

I will restore the Labour principle of an NHS free and available when you need it.

We will end the 8am rush for a GP appointment and guarantee an appointment within 48 hours for those who need one.

We will bring back the family doctor so that patients get the local care they need. 

And we will support our young people who ask for help with their mental health, with CAMHS link workers and better support in GP practices. 

But our ambition for our NHS does not stop there. 

We do not just want to restore the NHS to what it was before the SNP. 

We want to build a better future with an NHS that delivers for future generations. 

That is why we will invest in new technology - AI scanners to get quicker diagnosis and faster treatment. 

An NHS app so that patients can access the advice and appointments they need on their smartphone. 

And new screening services - so we can catch cancer earlier and save lives. 

The SNP want to pretend that things in our NHS are fine. That they have turned a corner. 

But as we heard from the audience in the debate last night, patients know better. 

Because if you cannot get an appointment, can't get seen, can't get treated on time, then nothing else that John Swinney says really matters.

And after nearly 20 years of SNP government, people are entitled to ask a very simple question: if they were going to fix it, why haven't they done it by now?

They have had 20 years. Give me five and I show that we can once again have an NHS true to its founding principles - there when you need it. 

But this manifesto is about more than rescuing our NHS after years of failure.

It is about making Scotland work again.

Making life more affordable for families.

Giving all our young people the chance to succeed.

Building the homes people need.

Backing Scottish jobs and Scottish businesses.

And making sure that government respects your money and focuses on the things that matter.

We are a country of talent, compassion, innovation and ambition.

We have everything we need to succeed.

But we need a government that will match the hard work and ambition of the great people of this country.

That's why I will focus on delivery not excuses.

I will drive our country forward, not manage decline 

So let me set out what I will do differently as First Minister.

That starts by making life more affordable. 

That is why a government I lead will:

Reduce costs of childcare for working parents with a tax break worth £3,000 per child and £6,000 for a disabled child.

We will fund two weeks of summer holiday clubs.

And we will keep down the cost of public transport – with no return to peak fares and protecting free bus travel. 

And we will improve the energy efficiency of people's homes with more grants for older and rural households. 

But I let me also say one other thing,

I won't be a First Minister that is prepared to use the illegal actions of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu to point the finger of blame somewhere else. 

That is why if the international instability continues, I promise to act. 

I will deliver a £100m package of emergency support which will include

Loans for energy intensive industries to protect jobs,

Bulk buying fuel to drive down prices at pumps,

Crisis grants and loans for households. 

I will convene an emergency summit of the supermarkets to bring down the cost of staple items.

And I will redeploy the civil service to support people to maximise their incomes.   

We all want the war to end, we all want peace and stability. 

But if it this crisis continues my priority will be protecting households and livelihoods here at home. 

Because I will always act and put the interests of Scotland first. 

Friends, if we are to build a better future for the next generation we need to restore Scotland's once world-leading education system. 

Let's not forget that John Swinney was the Education Secretary that shamefully downgraded working class kids during the pandemic.

I will be a First Minister that backs all of Scotland's children.

That is why as First Minister I will:

Ban mobile phones in classrooms to protect our young people and restore order. 

I will deliver free breakfast clubs in every primary school so no child starts the school day hungry.

I will support pupils with 1,500 new classrooms assistants

And I will recruit 2,000 specialist teachers to deliver a reading and numeracy recovery for pupils. 

Because I want every young person to have the chance to succeed, whatever route they choose.

And that is what a Scottish Labour government will deliver.

We will maintain free university tuition.

But we will go further - creating 9,000 new apprenticeships in growth industries. 

And Apprenticeship Centres of Excellence in our colleges. 

So that young people have a route into the well paid jobs of the future and businesses get the skills they need to grow. 

Because growing the economy is how we deliver that better future. 

Now some people don't believe that growth matters. 

That somehow you can tax your way to more prosperity. You can't fund public services unless you have a vibrant economy.

That is why as First Minister I will work in partnership with business to create jobs and deliver growth. 

I will end the SNP's ideological block on clean nuclear energy so we can attract billions of pounds of investment, create thousands of high skilled jobs and deliver energy security.

I will abolish unfair business rates to support our high streets and make sure online giants pay their fair share.

I will reform procurement so that government money backs Scottish workers and we build and buy more in Scotland.

And I will overhaul planning to speed up decisions and unlock land for new development

And I will promote Brand Scotland around the world to boost exports and tourism.

Because we all know how great our country is.

It is time Scotland had a government that stopped trying to sell Scotland to the Scots, but instead sells the best of Scotland to the world.

And that is what a Scottish Labour government will deliver.

Scotland's towns, cities and neighbourhoods should be places where Scots can grow up, raise families, live well and grow old together in community but too many feel neglected and ignored.

That is why I want us to build stronger and safer communities. 

So as First Minister I will

Fix the mess and end the neglect with a £350m potholes fund to restore our roads. 

I will get the basics right with a named community police officer for every neighbourhood.

And I will build a better future with better public transport.

Putting bus services back under public control and delivering faster intercity travel on our rail network. 

Friends, the foundation of secure communities is the guarantee of a safe, warm and affordable place to call home. 

But for too many families in Scotland that isn't a reality. 

Right now, as I speak 10,000 children in our country are homeless and rough sleeping has increased by 66% in recent years.

That is a scandal that I will not accept. 

That is why as First Minister my government will

Deliver 125,000 new homes in the next 5 years, helping renters with more affordable rents. 

And I will restore the dream of home ownership by helping first-time buyers to save for a deposit and cutting the tax they have to pay on their first home.

And I will end homelessness and finally eradicate rough sleeping once and for all. 

The people of Scotland deserve a government that delivers. Not one that asks them to pay more and more but see less in return.

That is why as First Minister I will commit to not raising income tax rates in the next five years. 

And our aim is to reduce taxes when we get the economy growing. 

We will end the culture of talking shops and quangos that cost millions and only act as cover for the SNP's failure. 

There are 135 public bodies in Scotland - more than the number of MSPs.

So I will end excessive public sector bonuses. 

I will cut a third of quangos so more money goes to the frontline services on which people rely. 

And I will make sure government is once again transparent and accountable to the people of Scotland. 

Ending the culture of secrecy and cover up we see under John Swinney and the SNP.

But friends, above all, this manifesto is about hope.

Not the empty hope of slogans.

Real hope, grounded in action.

Hope that comes from knowing things can be better and having a plan to make them better.

Because I believe Scotland's best days lie ahead of us.

But that better future will not arrive by accident.

It will only come if we choose it.

If you want change in Scotland you have to vote for it. 

And there is only one route to change at this election. 

And that is a vote for me and Scottish Labour.

After almost 20 years, it is time to change the government.

This is the first real opportunity in a generation to do that.

An opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

And to everyone here or watching at home, my message is this:

It's not about how you voted in the past.

It's not about whether you have voted Labour before.

It's not about what side of the past arguments you were on.

It's about bringing our country together and making it better right now. 

So if you agree that our NHS must be saved.

If you agree that families deserve better.

If you agree that after 20 years of one party being in charge it's time for change. 

Then vote for it 

Change to save our NHS.

Change to make life more affordable 

Change that will help all our young people to succeed.

Change to make our streets safer and our communities stronger.

Change for our towns, cities, islands and villages.

You have given the SNP 20 years. Give me five.

And my promise to the people of Scotland in return is simple:

If you put your trust in me on May 7, I will work every single day to repay it.

Every day to fix the mess. 

Every day to get the basics right.

Every day to build a better future for the country we all love. 

So on May 7, vote for change. 

Vote for Scottish Labour.

And let's win that future together. 

Thank you."