Promises made on the SNP leadership campaign trail
Winner Humza Yousaf and runner-up Kate Forbes made a number of commitments which differ from current plans.
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Your support makes all the difference.As with any party leadership election, the SNP candidates for the top job set out their stalls to the party faithful.
Over the past six weeks, they have made a number of promises which differ from the current plans of the Scottish Government, some of which will have spending implications.
Other pledges relate to the SNP’s push for Scottish independence and the internal functioning of the party.
Here are some of the main commitments made by the winner, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, and the runner-up Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
Humza Yousaf
-Accelerate rollout of free childcareMr Yousaf said he would accelerate the extension of free childcare to one and two-year-olds, spending about £100 million on this in the next financial year.
-Publish prospectus papers timetableNicola Sturgeon began to set out a series of Government papers aimed at refreshing the case for Scottish independence, however, there was never a clear timetable for their delivery. Mr Yousaf said he would publish them “sooner rather than later”, including a fiscal assessment which was not included in the most recent paper on the economy.
-Regional assemblies for SNP members on independenceMs Sturgeon planned to have a special conference to decide exact details of her “de facto referendum” strategy, but resigned before it could take place. Mr Yousaf says party members should debate the next steps in a series of regional assemblies.
-Challenge Section 35, but only if legal advice says it’s winnableMr Yousaf said he would challenge the UK Government’s block on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, initially saying he would do so on the principle of defending devolution. He later said that if the Lord Advocate told him the case was unwinnable, he would not go ahead with this.
-Free football club membership for deprived childrenMr Yousaf said he would work with the SFA to ensure young people from deprived backgrounds can access free football club membership.
-Deposit return scheme exemptionsSmall producers would be given exemptions from the DRS. The recycling initiative has proved controversial and some business groups are strongly against it.
-An independent Scotland would maintain 2% defence spendingDuring an LBC debate, all leadership candidates said an independent Scotland would maintain defence spending at the Nato target of 2%.
-Public equity stake in offshore windThe Scottish Government would have an equity stake in the next ScotWind leasing round, Mr Yousaf has said.
Kate Forbes
-Pause deposit return schemeThe Scottish government’s initiative to boost recycling should be put on hold until objections have been resolved, Ms Forbes has said.
-Rethink alcohol advertising curbsThe leadership contender has said she is concerned at the effects of proposed curbs on alcohol advertising.
-No challenge to Section 35Ms Forbes has said she would not have voted for the Gender Recognition reform Bill in its current form, so would not go to court to defend it as Ms Sturgeon had intended to.
-No new taxesMs Forbes said she would rule out further tax rises if she becomes first minister.
-Scrap plans to ban fishingA consultation is currently under way on Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs), which would see about 10% of fishing waters around Scotland closed. Instead, Ms Forbes said local councils should have powers to set regulations around fishing.
-Create a national housebuilding bodyMs Forbes said the new body would build thousands of homes each year, though she did not set a firm target.
-A timetable to dual the A9 by JuneThe Scottish Government has admitted it will miss its target to dual the A9 by 2025, to the frustration of those representing the north of the country. Ms Forbes would set out a new deadline by June.
-An independent Scotland would maintain 2% defence spendingLike the other candidates, she committed to maintain the Nato target spending.