Give us five years to fix SNP mess of last 20 - Ian Murray
It’s election season in Scotland again, and in keeping with time-honoured tradition I’ve been knocking on doors across south Edinburgh (as we do most weeks of the year).
I've had so many wonderful conversations with residents, and I’m grateful to every person who has taken the time to speak to me when in the middle of preparing dinner or trying to get the kids to do their homework (I know the feeling well).
Wherever you go and whoever you speak to, there's a clear feeling that people are fed up with the SNP after nearly 20 years in power and want a change.
Change is exactly what is on offer in Scottish Labour’s election manifesto, which was unveiled by Anas Sarwar in south Edinburgh on Monday. It sets out a clear plan to fix the SNP’s mess, get the basics right and deliver a better future for Scotland. It’s well worth a read.
It's full of policies which will make a tangible difference to people’s lives. On transport, a dedicated £350mn fund will fix up to 5 million potholes across the country. On education, a plan to hire 1500 more classroom assistants will help teachers manage behaviour and provide more one-to-one support for pupils. On energy, a commitment to lift the SNP’s ban on nuclear will bring thousands of good jobs, industry and a new source of clean and reliable power to Scotland.
The independent and respected Institute for Fiscal Studies has welcomed the absence of big unfunded promises and commitments which the other parties in this election are making as if you can grow money on trees.
The next Parliament must be a departure from the SNP’s chaotic approach to the public finances. Public services have faced years of seriously disruptive in-year cuts, despite the Scottish Government receiving almost £12bn in additional resources from Labour since July 2024. A Scottish Labour government would establish a Scottish Treasury which will get a grip on the public finances and deliver value for money.
It's also a manifesto that puts families first. Breakfast clubs will be rolled out in all primary schools, as is already being done in England by the UK Labour government.
Furthermore, Family Network Hubs will be rolled out across the country, similar to the Best Start centres currently being established by the Labour government in England. These will bring together support for families in a single place on a range of issues including housing, childcare, employment, parenting and benefits.
Labour governments always put families first. I know that firsthand – last year I was the first Cabinet minister in history to take the full paternity leave allowance, and I had the full support of colleagues to do so.
The SNP response - a free schoolbag and pencils for P1 pupils. Its pathetic.
Consider this: an 18-year-old today will have lived their entire life under the SNP. Is this really as good as it gets? The SNP have been in government for 20 years. Scottish Labour is asking for 5 to fix their mess and get the country back on track.