Political Parties in Scotland The 2017 edition!

Political Parties in Scotland. We are learning to: compare the policies and motivations of the main political parties in Scotland

Political Parties in Scotland.

Political Parties in Scotland. A political party is an organisation made up of people who share similar political beliefs and opinions.

Political Parties in Scotland. Key Words. Political Parties have their own visions and plans of how they think the country should be run. These plans can be listed under key policy areas such as education, environment, justice etc. A party’s unique vision and plans. Essentially the policies and promises a party makes about what they will do if elected into power. Policy Manifesto

Political Parties in Scotland.

Political Parties in Scotland. The Scottish National Party Key Policies. Continue to campaign for Scottish Independence. Will not introduce tuition fees or top-up fees for colleges or universities. Make Scotland a world leader in green energy. Reduce the Educational Attainment Gap between the rich and poor No more nuclear – oppose nuclear weapons.

The Scottish National Party Political Parties in Scotland. The Scottish National Party The SNP currently holds power in Scotland and also holds 35 seats in Westminster. The SNP have formed the Scottish Government since 2007 (3 election cycles)– the longest period of time in the history of Scottish Parliament thus far.

Political Parties in Scotland. The Scottish National Party Key people. Nicola Sturgeon MSP –First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the SNP. John Swinney MSP – Deputy First Minister, experienced in senior government positions. First female First Minister of Scotland Recently put in charge of Educations – the SNP’s policy priority.

The Conservative Party. Political Parties in Scotland. The Conservative Party. Key Policies. Keep Scotland as part of The UK. Extending flexible, high-quality childcare. Boosting mental healthcare investment Introduce tougher jail sentences. Building 100,000 new homes over the next Parliament

Political Parties in Scotland. The Conservative Party Key people. Ruth Davidson MSP – Leader of the Scottish Conservatives and Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament. David Mundell MP – Secretary of State for Scotland (2015-2017) Became leader in 2011; has been highly credited with the surge in support for the Scottish Conservatives Not elected to The Scottish Parliament, sits as MP in Westminster, re-elected in June 2017

The Conservative Party Political Parties in Scotland. The Conservative Party The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party is part of the wider Conservative Party in the UK. In the 2010 UK General Election the Conservatives managed to win enough seats to enter a coalition with The Liberal Democrats, their popularity has surged in recent weeks and they have increased from MPs from 1 to 13. Support was previously limited mainly due to the unpopular Conservative government led by Thatcher in the 1980s however within the Scottish Parliament they are currently the 2nd largest party. Does this highlight a “rebirth” of Conservative support in Scotland?

Political Parties in Scotland. The Scottish Labour Party Key Policies. Keep Scotland as part of the UK. Create a Fair Start Fund to give nursery and primary head teachers more money to help ensure all children get a good education. Prioritise creation of green jobs. Double the maternity grant for new mums to lift children out of poverty.

Kezia Dugdale MSP, Leader of The Scottish Labour Party’. Political Parties in Scotland. The Labour Party Key people. Kezia Dugdale MSP, Leader of The Scottish Labour Party’. Jeremy Corbyn – leader of the Labour Party (UK level), a long-serving MP who’s leadership has caused major controversy. Became leader in 2015, after the worst defeat Labour had suffered in UK Parliament elections. MP since 1983, known for his activism and previous chair of the Stop the War Coalition.

Political Parties in Scotland. The Labour Party. The Scottish Labour Party is part of the wider UK Labour Party. Traditionally one of the strongest parties in Scotland however major struggles in past 2-3 years. Worst Scottish election performance ever in 2016. Some improvement in June 2017 – 7 MPs. Strong links to trade unions, who influence many of their policies.

Political Parties in Scotland. The Liberal Democrats. Key Policies. Want Scotland to be a part of a federal UK. A 1p increase in income tax across all bands to raise an additional £505 million for education increase the share of the budget spent on mental health and double support for services for young people Increase the funding for Police Scotland by £20 million3

Political Parties in Scotland. The Liberal Democrats Key people. Willie Rennie MSP - Leader of The Scottish Liberal Democrats. Alistair Carmichael MP. – Deputy Leader Became leader in 2011, after failure of party to improve position in Scotland. Not elected to The Scottish Parliament, sits as MP in Westminster.

They currently hold 5 of the 129 seats in Holyrood Political Parties in Scotland. The Liberal Democrats The Scottish Lib Dems are one of three parties within the federal Liberal Democrats - Others being The Welsh Liberal Democrats and The Liberal Democrats in England. They currently hold 5 of the 129 seats in Holyrood 4 of 59 (Scottish) seats in Westminster (an increase from just 1 in 2015). Party support in the UK overall has decreased since the coalition with the Conservative Party at Westminster between 2010 – 2015 however, there are signs it is increasing again.

The Scottish Green Party. Want Scotland to be an independent country. Political Parties in Scotland. The Scottish Green Party. Key Policies. Want Scotland to be an independent country. Support Forestry Commission Scotland and other organisations to develop more community Greenspaces Hire 4,000 extra teachers to ease pressure and give smaller class sizes. Ensure a “Living Wage Plus” for social care staff to help deliver the best frontline services possible

Political Parties in Scotland. The Scottish Green Party. Key people. Patrick Harvie MSP – Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party and leader of the party in the Scottish Parliament. Ross Greer MSP – the youngest ever MSP elected at the age of 21 in May 2016 Co-convenor of the Scottish Greens since 2008 Member of the Education Committee in Parliament

Political Parties in Scotland. The Scottish Green Party. Traditionally associated with environmental policies the Scottish Green Party has also become known for its support of the Scottish Independence movement. The Party is independent of other “Green Parties” around the UK. Currently 6 MSPs are Scottish MSPs – the first time there have been more Green MSPs than Lib Dems in the history of the Parliament.