SCOTLAND’S major political leaders have all made their final pitches as polls open for the General Election today.
Voters will cast their ballots in the General Election from 7am on Thursday, with John Swinney making an appeal to voters to choose SNP for Scotland to “become an independent country”.
The First Minister told The National exclusively that “today is about Scotland’s future”.
He said: “The result in England is a foregone conclusion - the Tories are finished.
“Early tomorrow morning Rishi Sunak will be packing his bags and leaving 10 Downing Street for the last time. After the chaos and misery the Tories have inflicted on Scotland over the last fourteen years – their departure from office doesn’t come a minute too soon.
“Westminster austerity cuts have left a scar on many of our communities and public services. Brexit has hammered our businesses and punished our students, despite Scotland voting overwhelmingly to stay in the EU.
“And Tory economic recklessness caused the cost of living crisis, sending household bills through the roof and many families struggling to simply make ends meet.
“They are a disgrace. Today we have the opportunity to send the Tories a message about what Scotland thinks about their sordid time in office.
“The SNP are the only serious challenger in every Tory-held seat. Only a vote for the SNP will send the Tories packing. In many other seats across Scotland, the SNP and Labour are neck and neck and the result across Scotland is too close to call.
“In Scotland it’s on a knife edge and every single vote will count. Labour spending plans mean Keir Starmer’s government will impose £18 billion of Westminster austerity cuts.
“That decision will be disastrous for the public services we use every day like our NHS and schools. And it’ll be devastating for families in Scotland – compounding the misery inflicted by Westminster in recent years.”
The SNP leader added: “These cuts are a political choice from Labour. So let me be clear, the SNP will never choose austerity. Keir Starmer doesn’t speak for Scotland’s interests and he doesn’t speak for our values.
“But if you want to say no to more cuts from Westminster then you have to vote for it. Only the SNP can beat Labour and act a strong voice for Scotland in Westminster.
“Only the SNP can stand up for your values in the House of Commons and hold Keir Starmer’s government to account. Of course, we know there is another prize - a prize greater than any other. Independence.
“Given the damage of Westminster control, we have a duty as independence campaigners to offer the people of Scotland a compelling alternative. One that offers real hope and optimism and that demonstrates a sense of possibility.
“That’s why page one, line one of the SNP’s election manifesto said clearly; vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country. Just like the Tories and LibDems - Keir Starmer’s Labour party opposes independence.
"He will count every single vote cast for Labour as an endorsement for Westminster control of Scotland. He will do everything they can to try to close the door on independence. We cannot afford to let that happen. Not now, not ever.
“We need every Yes voter to send a message to the London based parties that support for independence is stronger than ever. Changing which of the Better Together partners holds power in Number 10 does not change the fact that Westminster doesn’t work for Scotland.
“That’s why today, as polls open, SNP activists across Scotland will be working non-stop to spread our positive vision of a fairer, independent Scotland to voters.
“Today, I am asking you and every single independence campaigner to vote SNP - for a future made in Scotland for Scotland.
“The SNP offers Scotland the hope of a better future with independence - but we have to vote for it today.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie (below), meanwhile, said even a small number of Green voices can make a “huge difference”.
The party has fielded 44 candidates in Scotland at the General Election, their highest ever number.
However, polls suggest they are unlikely to pick up any MPs north of the border.
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “We are asking the people of Scotland to vote like our future depends on it, because it really does. That is what is on the line today.
“The next five years will be critical for our climate, our nature and our planet. Getting rid of the Tories is crucial, but we don’t just need a change in government, we need a change in politics.
“By voting for the Scottish Greens, the people of Scotland can vote for real change and send shockwaves through Westminster.”
He continued: “Even a small number of Green voices can make a huge difference.
“We have shown that in the Scottish Parliament, where Scottish Green MSPs have secured free bus travel for young people, the removal of peak rail fares and record investment in wildlife, nature and renewables.
“That is the kind of change that only comes from voting for the Scottish Greens and the kind of change that we want to take right into the heart of Westminster.”
He said other parties have “ripped up their environmental commitments and argued among themselves about how many oil fields they can give the green light to”.
Alba Party leader Alex Salmond (below) also issued a message to independence supporters across Scotland ahead of the vote, saying that every vote cast for Alba Party will count for independence.
The former First Minister has also hit out at a “lack of political leadership” from the SNP.
Salmond said: “In this election, every single ALBA vote will count for independence. However, our campaign is building and will come to fruition in the Scottish elections of 2026, with the compelling power of our case that a majority vote for independence parties on the list should become the mandate for independence. No more vainly begging London for another referendum - instead set the day and set the hour. That argument will sweep Scotland.
“We intend to claim a minimum of 15 per cent on that list vote, which will win us some 20 or more seats in the Parliament. That potentially will make for a nationalist majority in Parliament and an independence Government with the political will to take on Westminster and set Scotland on course for freedom.
“This election has demonstrated that the people are willing on independence, but the political leadership is weak. It is our job in ALBA to provide that strength and that leadership.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (below) - speaking ahead of a vote in which polls point to his party doing well, said it is a “pivotal moment.
He said the opportunity to vote out the Conservatives is one “we cannot afford to miss”.
“This is a pivotal moment for Scotland,” Sarwar said.
“Our country is crying out for change and today we have a chance to deliver that change.
“For 14 years the Tories have heaped misery on the most vulnerable people in Scotland, torched standards of decency in public life and forced working people to pay the price for political failure – but that can end today.
“Today Scotland can make history by voting for change with Labour – this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.
“Every vote for Scottish Labour is a vote for a government on the side of working people with Scottish MPs at its heart – a government that will make work pay, bring down energy bills, create jobs and protect our public services.
“I firmly believe Scotland’s best days are ahead of us, and Labour has a plan to unlock the vast potential that exists across our country.”
Despite how they may have voted in the past, Sarwar urged Scots to back Labour on Thursday if they “agree our country needs change”.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross (below) claimed that the General Election could end the independence debate “for good”.
Ross, who is standing as a candidate in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency, has urged voters to back the Tories to “finish the SNP”.
He said while SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney will use every SNP seat won as a “mandate” for independence, a Tory victory will instead “focus on priorities”.
Ross, who has said he will step down as party leader after the election and also step down as an MSP if he is re-elected to Westminster, said: “The General Election in Scotland is about beating the SNP so that we can get all the focus on to creating good jobs, reducing NHS waiting lists and investing in schools.
“The choice is clear: vote together for the Scottish Conservatives to beat the SNP and elect a local MP who will focus on your priorities, or the SNP candidate will win and spend the next five years campaigning for independence.
“The SNP want today to be their independence day – but it can be the day that Scotland votes to be free of the SNP.
“Today is our chance. The opportunity is there to finish the SNP and shut down the independence debate for good.
“In key seats up and down Scotland where it’s a straight choice between my party or the SNP, the only way to beat the nationalists is to vote Scottish Conservative.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton (above) said: “In huge swathes of Scotland the choice is between the nationalists and a Liberal Democrat local champion who will fight for a fair deal for you and your community.
“Throughout this campaign, I have met former SNP voters disillusioned with the scandals and their mishandling of public services. I have met Labour and Conservative voters who are backing the Liberal Democrats this time because they recognise that a handful of votes in key seats could make the difference.
“From Cupar to Cape Wrath, Milngavie to Mallaig, Cramond to Kirkwall, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have beaten the SNP before and we can do it again.”
