This election couldn’t come at a worse time for the SNP
Spectator (UK)May 28
UK Elections: SNP Launches Campaign Manifesto
Above: SNP leader John Swinney at the SNP General Election launch on June 19, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Image copyright: Jeff J Mitchell/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has launched its manifesto ahead of the UK general election on July 4. Pledges include seeking independence from the UK, rejoining the EU, reversing cuts to the capital budget, decriminalizing recreational drugs, raising maternity pay, and supporting the abolition of the House of Lords.
First Minister and SNP party leader John Swinney claimed that independence was a "fundamental" concern among Scottish voters, continuing that while an independent Scotland "would face challenges," the UK was going in the "wrong direction."
The Spin
Progressive narrative
The SNP's manifesto launch has been an opportunity for Swinney to steer his party back in the right direction. As Labour continues to veer closer to the political center ground, the SNP's brave decision to remain true to its social democratic roots will likely prove a greater challenge to Starmer in Scotland and Westminster than many may have recently expected.
Labour narrative
While self-styled as a progressive alternative to years of political mismanagement, the SNP has in reality been at the helm of Scotland's slow and steady decline for almost two decades. If the widespread fraud among SNP leadership wasn't enough to show the party's ineptitude, one must only look at Holyrood's failure to cope with the cost of living crisis. With their livelihoods on the line, voters who have backed the SNP all their lives are now rightly turning to Labour for the first time.
Tory narrative
In true SNP fashion, Swinney and his party have blamed the Tories for the region's woes despite spending years prioritizing unrealistic dreams of independence and authoritarian hate speech laws over real social prosperity. With SNP popularity sitting at a historic low, the Tories must capitalize on their chance to knock out their Scottish rivals for good.