THE words “independence” or “independent” are mentioned 32 times in total in the SNP’s General Election manifesto.
In a keynote speech to mark its publication, John Swinney confirmed that the SNP would take winning the majority of Scottish seats as a mandate to ask Westminster for a second independence referendum.
Other themes pop out from the manifesto, with “NHS” or “health” mentioned 36 times, “cuts” or “austerity” are mentioned 29 times and Brexit mentioned 23 times.
So what does the manifesto say about independence?
As promised, the first line of the first page of the document says: “Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country”.
Some arguments for independence are sketched out throughout the document, including the cornerstone of the SNP’s message about successful, small European nations which are independent and better off, healthier and happier than Scotland.
On the process of how the SNP wants Scotland to become independent, the manifesto says: “At this election we are asking you to vote SNP for an independent Scotland.
“If the SNP wins a majority of Scottish seats, the Scottish Government will be empowered to begin immediate negotiations with the UK Government to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country.”
Speaking at the launch, Swinney (above) clarified this meant asking the UK Government for permission to hold another referendum.
'Reverse Brexit'
The document also sets out the SNP’s vision for Scotland to be an independent country within the European Union, which they say would give “Scotland the opportunity to regain what has been lost as a result of a hard Brexit”.
They say that re-joining the EU would mean the return of freedom of movement for Scots and EU citizens coming to Scotland, cheaper and easier trading and more funding for farming and fishing among other benefits.
The SNP set out their vision for what independence would offer Scots as follows: “Our vision is of an independent Scotland, where decisions are made in Scotland, for Scotland, and where we can match, and indeed exceed, the economic success and living standards of neighbouring European countries.”
They also say that independence would offer the chance to “reverse Brexit and austerity which are making the cost of living more expensive and have been imposed upon us against our will”.
