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SCOTTISH Labour launched their manifesto today and it is virtually identical to the one Keir Starmer unveiled last week.
MP candidate for Airdrie and Shotts Anum Qaisar (below) said that it shows a “total disregard towards Scotland”.
Both entitled “Change” – a word that has been used by the party throughout their General Election campaign – and posted to the UK Labour website, the Scottish Labour manifesto features a foreword from Anas Sarwar.
It is also certainly more colourful than the UK Labour version, featuring more stark branding and the archetypal Labour red rather than plain black.
However, the text that follows is taken practically verbatim from the UK Labour one.
Page 10 of Anas Sarwar's Scottish Labour manifesto as well page 3 of Keir Starmer's UK Labour one both have the title "My Plan For Change".
The text that follows in both is as follows:
UK Labour Party manifesto: This election is about change. A chance to stop the endless Conservative chaos that has directly harmed the finances of every family in Britain. A moment where we can turn the page on a set of ideas that, over 14 years, have consistently left us more vulnerable in an increasingly volatile world.
Scottish Labour manifesto: This election is about change. A chance to stop the endless SNP and Conservative chaos that has damaged the finances of every family in Scotland. A moment where we can turn the page on a set of ideas that have left us vulnerable in an increasingly volatile world.
These sorts of similarities can be found throughout and consistently throughout. Sometimes, the words are exactly identical like below.
Example:
UK Labour Party manifesto: “Every great nation is held together by shared beliefs. To outsiders they may not seem exceptional or distinctive, but they are essential for a sense of collective national purpose. Britain is no different, but at this moment two of our most important beliefs are in grave danger.”
Scottish Labour manifesto: "Every great nation is held together by shared beliefs. To outsiders they may not seem exceptional or distinctive, but they are essential for a sense of collective national purpose. Britain is no different but at this moment two of our most important beliefs are in grave danger.”
The differences, when they exist, are usually just the moving around of words with references to the “UK” often changed to “UK and Scotland” or taking out mention of "Britain" – like below.
Example:
UK Labour Party manifesto: "We must rebuild our country. It will not be easy. Not only because there is no quick fix to the mess the Conservatives have made. But also, because their failures have sapped our collective confidence that Britain can still achieve great things."
Scottish Labour manifesto: "We must rebuild our country - Scotland and the rest of the UK. It will not be easy. Not only because there is no quick fix to the mess the SNP and Conservatives have made. But also, because their failures have sapped our collective confidence that we can still achieve great things."
Qaisar hit out at the similarities, saying: “In the SNP, we put the interests of Scotland first. We will always stand up for Scots - especially during the most difficult times as we are seeing today with austerity, Brexit and the ongoing Cost of Living crisis.
“So whilst Westminster parties continue to show a lack of total disregard towards Scotland by not even bothering with a full, specific manifesto, this week the SNP will launch our Manifesto and outline our positive vision for a better, independent, future for Scotland.
“It will be a vision for hope and one which will see us make further progress towards transforming people's lives through independence.”
