A strong voice for Scotland pledge

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has said that Scotland’s voice needs to be heard in Westminster and that SNP MPs will“do what is right for the people of Scotland”.

The First Minister was speaking during a visit to Blairgowrie on Monday this week ahead of the party’s manifesto launch.

She said:“I am proud of our record in government after ten years.

“In this election one of the big issues that we will be focussing on is the growing gap between the rich and the poor.

“We see inequality rising across the UK and need to set out a path that tackles that.

“In education we have a new framework in place that will put £120 million directly in to the hands of head teachers.

“We will respect the dignity of old people who have worked so hard all their lives.

“In terms of nurses pay, the pay gap across the UK has grown for a number of years as austerity has bitten.”

Referring to questions put to the First Minister on a television election debate at the weekend, she added:“Nurses are absolutely right to make their voices heard and raise issues that are one of the most important in this campaign.

“The fact is that as a result of our policies newly-qualified nurses are paid more than their counterparts in England.”

She went on:“Our manifesto will underline the key issues of this campaign.

“Do voters want Tory MPs who are just a rubber stamp for Teresa May or SNP MPs who will do what is right for the people of Scotland and provide a strong voice of opposition to the Tories and make sure Scotland’s voice is heard?

“We want the strongest possible voice for Scotland and we are leading the way in the UK for fair and progressive policies.

“We want to protect jobs in Scotland against an extreme Brexit and to make Scotland’s voice heard in the Brexit negotiations.”

“At the heart of our campaign is the simple message that we need voices in Westminster that will stand up for Scotland.”