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Making
the parliament work
The
SNP wishes to ensure that the new Parliament is effective and responsive,
and gives Scots the experience of good government. The SNP believes in
democracy. That's why the Scottish people will have a referendum on Scottish
independence before any such moves were made. |
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Business
& Economics
Only
the Scottish National Party will put Scotland first. The British Labour,
Lib Dem and Tory parties always have to compromise with UK rule: economic
policies are designed with the South East of England in mind. Scotland
needs economic policies with the Scottish economy at their heart.
Scotland
needs to reap the benefits of being in the Euro. While we remain
part of the UK we cannot do that. 62% of Scottish businesses
think it would be good to join the single currency. 80% of Scottish
businesses think we should join the single currency as soon as possible
or after the next UK general election. Scotland was the only UK area
with a majority of businesses thinking the Euro would be good for the economy.
We can only take firm decisive action in areas such as this if we are independent.
Just now, we have to wait until the British Government makes up its mind.
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Scotland
is Wealthy
Scotland
is the 7th richest nation in the world - but not while it is part of the
UK. The UK is ranked 18th richest country in the world. These
are OECD figures. Scotland can easily afford to be independent.
Scotland
has an abundance of natural resources and an economic base similar to that
of Norway. Norway is the 4th richest country in the world, and this
can be used as an example of what Scotland can achieve when she reaches
her full potential. Scotland, with independence, can enjoy freedom,
self respect and international influence as a nation state in Europe. |
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Scotland
- the producer of Europe's oil - yet the highest petrol prices in Europe!
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Petrol
will cost 4.30 per gallon by the end of the current UK parliament.
In 1993 the Tories introduced a "duty escalator" of a 3% increase in road
fuel duties every budget. It then moved to 5% and Gordon Brown hiked
it again to 6%.
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At the
beginning of Labour's administration petrol was 2.95 per gallon.
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Energy-
Oil & Gas - a benefit, but not for Scotland
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North Sea
revenues are forecast to contribute 3.3 billion to public finances in the
financial year 1998-1999.
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The oil
and gas industry accounts for around 6.6% of Scottish employment.
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Norway
is doing considerably better economically than Scotland due to better managed
reserves. Scotland suffered nearly 20 years of wasted oil reserves
die to mismanagement by the Tories.
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An independent
Scotland will have jurisdiction over at least 80-85% of the UKCS Oil reserves.
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The 2 fields
West of Shetland currently account for 9% of total oil production and exploration
continues.
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Scotland
can do better! - Health
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Labour
has cut 1,748 hospital beds in Scotland
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71%
of nurses say they have considered leaving the profession in the last year
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The
SNP is committed to keeping hospitals in public ownership and to real investment.
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New
Labour is squandering millions on PFI - 900 million at the ERI alone.
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Scotland
is not small!!!
Of
the 201 countries in the world, 93 have populations smaller than
Scotland.
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