SNP launch their 2024 General Election campaign
- 3 months ago
Humza Yousaf has made a direct appeal to pro-independence voters to back the SNP at the coming general election, as polls show support slipping away from his party.
Launching the SNP’s election campaign at the Oran Mor in Glasgow, the First Minister said those who believed in separation “must vote" for his party.
He said UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer “will use every single vote for Labour in Scotland as a vote against independence”.
Mr Yousaf added: “He will argue that every vote for Labour is a vote of confidence in Westminster control. So the message is very simple – if you believe that decisions about Scotland should be taken in Scotland, if you believe in independence, then you must vote for the SNP. If you want to see an independent Scotland, you have to get out, you have to vote.”
Recent polls have shown a drop in support for the SNP in Scotland while backing for Labour has grown. However, support for independence has remained stable, suggesting a loosening of the link between pro-independence sentiment and backing for the SNP.
Labour is targeting as many as two dozen seats north of the border, with the party confident of making gains across the central belt.
Addressing party figures in Glasgow, Mr Yousaf said it is “very clear now” that Sir Keir will be the next prime minister. However, he said the only certainty of a Labour government is that it will be followed by a Tory one.
“Keir Starmer doesn’t need Scotland to win the election,” Mr Yousaf said.
“Scotland needs SNP MPs to make sure that we are not ignored and that Scotland’s voice is heard.”
He said the UK was heading down the wrong path, with an unhealthy “cosy consensus” among the Westminster parties.
Mr Yousaf went on to vow his MPs would seek to “work constructively with a Labour government to introduce measures for a fairer country”. But he also promised they would look to prevent a future Labour government from “backsliding on green investment” and seek to protect the NHS from “creeping privatisation at Westminster”.
Earlier, Mr Yousaf admitted the independence cause will move “backwards” if the SNP loses seats at the election, but insisted that will not stop the debate.
Addressing comments made by his own senior MP Tommy Sheppard, who said independence would be hindered if the party fails to retain the majority of seats in Scotland, Mr Yousaf said the SNP will push for independence “regardless of what the election results are”.
He told the BBC: “Tommy Sheppard is not wrong in saying, of course, that if the message in Scotland is that Scotland votes for Labour MPs, and if that is the message that Keir Starmer sees, then of course that will take our independence backwards.”
Asked directly if the debate on independence will stop if the party fails to win the most seats, Mr Yousaf said: “No. The SNP will never stop campaigning for independence. It hasn’t stopped campaigning in its almost 90 years of existence, and it will continue to campaign for independence
Launching the SNP’s election campaign at the Oran Mor in Glasgow, the First Minister said those who believed in separation “must vote" for his party.
He said UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer “will use every single vote for Labour in Scotland as a vote against independence”.
Mr Yousaf added: “He will argue that every vote for Labour is a vote of confidence in Westminster control. So the message is very simple – if you believe that decisions about Scotland should be taken in Scotland, if you believe in independence, then you must vote for the SNP. If you want to see an independent Scotland, you have to get out, you have to vote.”
Recent polls have shown a drop in support for the SNP in Scotland while backing for Labour has grown. However, support for independence has remained stable, suggesting a loosening of the link between pro-independence sentiment and backing for the SNP.
Labour is targeting as many as two dozen seats north of the border, with the party confident of making gains across the central belt.
Addressing party figures in Glasgow, Mr Yousaf said it is “very clear now” that Sir Keir will be the next prime minister. However, he said the only certainty of a Labour government is that it will be followed by a Tory one.
“Keir Starmer doesn’t need Scotland to win the election,” Mr Yousaf said.
“Scotland needs SNP MPs to make sure that we are not ignored and that Scotland’s voice is heard.”
He said the UK was heading down the wrong path, with an unhealthy “cosy consensus” among the Westminster parties.
Mr Yousaf went on to vow his MPs would seek to “work constructively with a Labour government to introduce measures for a fairer country”. But he also promised they would look to prevent a future Labour government from “backsliding on green investment” and seek to protect the NHS from “creeping privatisation at Westminster”.
Earlier, Mr Yousaf admitted the independence cause will move “backwards” if the SNP loses seats at the election, but insisted that will not stop the debate.
Addressing comments made by his own senior MP Tommy Sheppard, who said independence would be hindered if the party fails to retain the majority of seats in Scotland, Mr Yousaf said the SNP will push for independence “regardless of what the election results are”.
He told the BBC: “Tommy Sheppard is not wrong in saying, of course, that if the message in Scotland is that Scotland votes for Labour MPs, and if that is the message that Keir Starmer sees, then of course that will take our independence backwards.”
Asked directly if the debate on independence will stop if the party fails to win the most seats, Mr Yousaf said: “No. The SNP will never stop campaigning for independence. It hasn’t stopped campaigning in its almost 90 years of existence, and it will continue to campaign for independence