Climate, NHS and independence: key takeaways from the SNP manifesto

1. Independence

The manifesto states that if the SNP win a majority of Scottish seats the Scottish government will be “empowered to begin immediate negotiations” with Westminster on making independence a reality.

In a realignment of the party’s previous position, Swinney says that this means negotiating a second referendum – the previous policy had suggested a second vote wasn’t necessary. But both Conservatives and Labour have consistently stated they will not grant Holyrood the requisite powers to hold a second referendum, while the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned that the SNP “ignores the potential hit to economic growth from leaving the UK, and the big fiscal challenges an independent Scotland would immediately have to confront”.

2. Focus on NHS

Swinney called on “progressive politicians south of the border” to join the SNP in pressing for greater funding for the NHS at UK level – resulting in a £1.6bn boost to Scotland’s NHS – and to match the Scottish government’s recent pay deals for staff.

The manifesto also pledges to introduce a bill at Westminster to protect the health service from privatisation, which would stand as a legal guarantee to keep the NHS in public hands.

3. Climate and oil and gas transition

A day after the Scottish government missed another emissions target, the manifesto says a future UK government should invest £28bn annually in the green economy, the commitment dropped by the Labour party earlier this year.

After the SNP was criticised for abandoning its previous presumption against new oil and gas licences, the manifesto advocates “an evidence-based approach”, which would involve new licences being considered on a “case-by-case basis, through a robust climate compatibility assessment”.

4. Holyrood’s relationship with Westminster

Despite repeated attacks on Labour throughout the launch, the SNP also sets out areas of cooperation with a future Starmer government, for example, supporting plans to put VAT on private school fees. Swinney also underlines his willingness to reset the relationship between Holyrood and Westminster, which he said had been characterised by “total and utter disrespect” under the Tories.