the snp cares. that is who cares.ter office with mps who don�*t care about scotland, people in this country no, and they know this for absolute certainty, snp mps will always put the interest of the people of scotland first. applause so let me now set out what putting scotland�*s interests first actually means. in the few weeks i�*ve been first minister, i�*ve made it pretty plain. we must be focused on people�*s top concerns. i�*m proud of what we have done in government. we�*re helping with the cost of living through free prescriptions, the abolition of university tuition fees, free bus travel for under 22s. in our nhs, scotland has the best performing a&e units in the united kingdom. on the economy, under the snp, scotland has had faster economic growth per head for the rest of the uk. in housing, under the snp, scotland has 40% more affordable homes per head than england, and over 70% more than in wales. we have introduced the scottish trial payment, and there are record levels of literacy and numeracy in primary

that is what you will hear from the snp in the next four or five weeks, that the snp looks at the seatsotland where the tories are in place and say we are the only party that can get them out. but labour have taken the snp�*s decline their rising vote as to the electorate. and whatjohnny swinney will say overnight next few weeks as labour are not as good as you think they are. they are not the old labour party that used to vote for. their plans on austerity are the same as the tories, their plans on brexit and migration are the same as the tories. he wants to ask people in scotland is that what you really want? or do you want somebody in westminster to challenge them? that is what he will set out as this is what the snp�*s message will be and this is the argument the snp will be taking across the country for the five weeks. d0 taking across the country for the five weeks— taking across the country for the five weeke— five weeks. do you think it is a promising _ five weeks. do you think it is a promising outlook— five weeks. do you think it is a promising outlook to - five weeks. do you

the conservatives the snp have really focused on the conservative snp marginals, they are saying thattive mps the voter should be looking to the snp rather than the labour party because those particular seats is often the case that conservatives and snp are in second place to the conservatives rather than labour. they really push this idea of a vote for the snp being a way of getting rid of the conservatives is westminster and they've added onto to that things like brexit and austerity, they say, our products are westminster governments. we can see what they're trying to get up there. no doubt both main party labour and conservatives are looking for scotland to as many seats as possible. scotland to as many seats as ossible. ~ :, scotland to as many seats as possible-— scotland to as many seats as ossible. ~ :, :, , possible. we heard from the slide the former— possible. we heard from the slide the former chief _ possible. we heard from the slide the former chief of _ possible. we heard from the slide the former chief of staff - possible. we heard from the slide the former chief of st

snp is trying to do here is to see the uk _ snp is trying to do here is to see the uk is — snp is tryingroken, it is no lowi growth, low productivity, high inequality. _ growth, low productivity, high inequality, these _ growth, low productivity, high inequality, these problems i growth, low productivity, high| inequality, these problems are entrenched, _ inequality, these problems are entrenched, the _ inequality, these problems are| entrenched, the conservatives, inequality, these problems are - entrenched, the conservatives, they argue, _ entrenched, the conservatives, they argue, have — entrenched, the conservatives, they argue, have made _ entrenched, the conservatives, they argue, have made them _ entrenched, the conservatives, they argue, have made them worse, - entrenched, the conservatives, they argue, have made them worse, and| argue, have made them worse, and they contend — argue, have made them worse, and they contend that _ argue, have made them worse, and they contend that the _ argue, have made them worse, and they contend that the labour- argue, have made them worse, and

that's snp cuts, snp austerity, isn't it?l tax freeze is that we fully fund that. we give the city of glasgow council — as we give every council in the country — the money to compensate for the revenue they've lost by freezing the council tax. now, to come back to your very first question, what would i do as prime minister? well, what i'd do as prime minister to avoid the £18 billion worth of cuts is that i would replicate the tax changes that we've made in scotland in the rest of the uk, and that would essentially address the £18 billion fiscal gap. taxes up. that's what you're voting for if you vote snp, taxes up. well, people know in scotland that the snp has increased taxes on higher earners, so we... some teachers, some policemen — not the millionaires, not the business owners, ordinary people pay more tax. well, for people who are teachers or police officers, the difference in tax is very limited. but of course, there are other benefits — like the fact that people in scotland don't pay for university tuition, or that th

but john curtice the snp got 37.8%. butjohn curtice has said that you have to be realistic, reform is not talking about winning seats in scotland, but what they are talking about is eating into the conservative vote, though not as dramatically as they might in england and wales. opinion polls suggest that the snp's decade—long dominance of scottish politics is looking weaker, but support for independence is still solid. the latest poll from redfield and wilson today puts yes for independence 46 and no 48. let's hear now from someone who would like to raise the issue of independence, how do you feel about it? y , independence, how do you feel about it? , ., independence, how do you feel about in , ., ., it? just now, i would say the momentum _ it? just now, i would say the momentum has _ it? just now, i would say the momentum has gone - it? just now, i would say the momentum has gone sort i it? just now, i would say the momentum has gone sort ofi it? just now, i would say the - momentum has gone sort of down a touch, in

indeed, and one of the challenges for the snp in l one of the challenges for the snp in this electionple you will have tv debates this week with star man zunic that in the snp's mind, john swinney should be in, because he is the third largest party and he is not. one of the issues that the snp has to deal with them campaigners finding cut—throat in the uk wide media so that they don't get drowned out by this idea that it can only be rishi sunak or keir starmer, that the snp has no influence. actually the snp wants voters to understand that they can have a lot of influence, and that they could hold westminster governments to account, and without them there, scotland's voice won't be heard, and that's what i'm expected to hear from john swinney this afternoon. liz expected to hear from john swinney this afternoon.— this afternoon. liz lloyd, former deu to this afternoon. liz lloyd, former deputy to nicola _ this afternoon. liz lloyd, former deputy to nicola sturgeon, - this afternoon. liz lloyd, former| deputy to nicola sturgeon, thank this afternoon. liz lloyd, former- deputy to nicola

_ the snp, and what is labour offering? there _ the snp, and what is labour offering?snp, and what is labour. offering? there are more right the snp, and what is labour- offering? there are more right of centre _ offering? there are more right of centre than— offering? there are more right of centre than the _ offering? there are more right of centre than the lib _ offering? there are more right of centre than the lib dems, - offering? there are more right of centre than the lib dems, we - offering? there are more right ofj centre than the lib dems, we are left of— centre than the lib dems, we are left of centre _ centre than the lib dems, we are left of centre of— centre than the lib dems, we are left of centre of them. _ centre than the lib dems, we are left of centre of them. the - centre than the lib dems, we are left of centre of them.— centre than the lib dems, we are left of centre of them. the snp has dominated scotland's _ left of centre of them. the snp has dominated scotland's political - dominated scotland's political landscape for years, but the tide feels

different view on the snp's record at holyrood-— different view on the snp's record at holyrood.e snp, john _ at holyrood. and it is a long record for the snp, john swinney - at holyrood. and it is a long record for the snp, john swinney has - at holyrood. and it is a long record for the snp, john swinney has a i at holyrood. and it is a long record | for the snp, john swinney has a lot of political experience, but he's knew as the leader, he has not been the snp leaderfor very knew as the leader, he has not been the snp leader for very long at all? absolutely, this is his second stint in charge, but this time around, he has only been in charge for four weeks or so and i think if anyone had said six weeks ago, john swinney will be leader of the house mp, he will be leader of the house mp, he will be leader of the house mp, he will be first minister, and also he will be first minister, and also he will be first minister, and also he will be leading the snp into a general election campaign, on the ath ofjuly, i think that would have taken many people by surprise. he did say not lon

so, in the next few hours we are expecting the snp to launch their campaign, whatare expecting the snpampaign, what are we expected to hear from them?— campaign, what are we expected to hear from them? well, perhaps not surprisingly. _ hear from them? well, perhaps not surprisingly. and — hear from them? well, perhaps not surprisingly, and not— hear from them? well, perhaps not surprisingly, and not for— hear from them? well, perhaps not surprisingly, and not for the - hear from them? well, perhaps not surprisingly, and not for the first i surprisingly, and not for the first time, we are expecting the snp leaderjohn swinney to take aim at the conservatives' record at westminster. we are expecting him to say that the cost—of—living crisis, that brexit, austerity, have been imposed on scotland by westminster. and in his words, we think he will tell activists that given the uk is moving so badly in the wrong direction, that he would be failing in his duty if he did not set out what he believes is a better future for scotland. he will argue for the opportunity for higher living standards,

for sale, voting snp... for sale, voting snp. ..es they are covered byjohn swinney as we would have expected, independence, tax and the conservative and labour and the nhs. and what he said of the nhs, as we talked about before, he is calling on westminster to spend an extra £10 billion annually on the nhs, but did he outline how he's going to persuade westminster do that? the nhs it's persuade westminster do that? the: nhs it's worth pointing persuade westminster do that? ti9 nhs it's worth pointing out is devolved so ministers here in edinburgh are responsible for running the nhs but as we discussed before, spending decisions in westminster impact the money bus into scotland so as you point out, whatjohn swinney is arguing for is an extra £10 billion annually to be spent by the next westminster government and he says that will result in an extra £1 billion of funding for scotland and he has talked in the past about choices and in scotland how the government has chosen to tax people on higher earnings more so that that can be spent

were from snp and thej majority were from snp and the greens, — majority were from snp and the greensm snp and the i greens, in favour of independence. do i greens, in favour of independence. do i think— greens, in favour of independence. do i think that _ greens, in favour of independence. do i think that he _ greens, in favour of independence. do i think that he believes- greens, in favour of independence. do i think that he believes that - do i think that he believes that will he — do i think that he believes that will be considered, _ do i think that he believes that will be considered, no - do i think that he believes that will be considered, no i - do i think that he believes that will be considered, no i don't. i do i think that he believes that - will be considered, no i don't. and there _ will be considered, no i don't. and there is— will be considered, no i don't. and there is also— will be considered, no i don't. and there is also a _ will be considered, no i don't. and there is also a feeling _ will be considered, no i don't. and there is also a feeling on - will be consid

the snp do have strength across— the snp. the snp do have strength across the — the snp.conservatives north of— competition with the conservatives north of perth and in the borders, as a result — north of perth and in the borders, as a result of the snp may find it easier— as a result of the snp may find it easier to— as a result of the snp may find it easier to hang onto the seats they've — easier to hang onto the seats they've got. but we are still looking _ they've got. but we are still looking at the labour party perhaps getting _ looking at the labour party perhaps getting 30 seats plus or —3, as compared _ getting 30 seats plus or —3, as compared with one last time. and the snp with— compared with one last time. and the snp with a _ compared with one last time. and the snp with a much diminished force, perhaps— snp with a much diminished force, perhaps between 15 and 20 seats at the moment as opposed to dominating the moment as opposed to dominating the scottish representation at westminster.— the scottish representation at westminster. ., ., ., westminster. how goo

will they decide — the snp and hold their nose. will they decide to _ the snp and hold their nose. stay— they decide to sit on their hands and stay at _ they decide to sit on their hands and stay at home _ they decide to sit on their hands and stay at home or— they decide to sit on their hands and stay at home or will- they decide to sit on their hands and stay at home or will they. they decide to sit on their hands i and stay at home or will they switch to labour? — and stay at home or will they switch to labour? its— and stay at home or will they switch to labour? it's a _ and stay at home or will they switch to labour? it's a big _ and stay at home or will they switch to labour? it's a big unknown. i and stay at home or will they switchl to labour? it's a big unknown. paul, i'll come to labour? it's a big unknown. paul, i'll come back _ to labour? it's a big unknown. paul, i'll come back to _ to labour? it's a big unknown. paul, i'll come back to you. _ to labour? it's a big unknown. paul, i'll come back to you. how— to labour? it's a big unknown. paul, i'll come back to you. ho

he wants people to vote snp. he believes that there will be a labour— snp.p mps will be able to hold the uk government to account _ be able to hold the uk government to account he _ be able to hold the uk government to account. he believes there will be a another— account. he believes there will be a another round of austerity. that campaign — another round of austerity. that campaign continues with mr swinney moving _ campaign continues with mr swinney moving on— campaign continues with mr swinney moving on to the west of glasgow. where _ moving on to the west of glasgow. where are — moving on to the west of glasgow. where are things in the polls between labour and the snp? it is between labour and the snp? it is interesting- _ between labour and the snp? it is interesting. the polls in england are very— interesting. the polls in england are very different story. but when you look— are very different story. but when you look at — are very different story. but when you look at the schools here in scotland. _ you look at the schools here in scotland, it does

i want to ask you about that, because the ifs has looked at the snp manifesto and says the snp's manifestores the big fiscal challenges. it says, on their own figures, the snp proposals would also lead to additional borrowing. they say it doesn't quite add up. i think when you look at what that ifs has said, they have been crystal—clear that there is a conspiracy of silence taking place between labour and the conservatives. the snp has been pretty upfront about some of the challenges that we face in terms of the fiscal environment, what that means in terms of tax and spending. but the clear choice for both labour and the conservatives is to be honest with the public because if you want to have good public services in the way we do in scotland, for example with free tuition, record low a&e waiting times, free bus travel under—22s have, the fact that rail services have been nationalised, free prescriptions. if you want to have those things you have to pay for it. that's why it's right that folk like myself, members of parliament on good salaries, pay a little bit more in tax. the problem is

what is the snp strategy for this selection campaign? the snp snp.ng in with — this selection campaign? the snp are going in with the _ this selection campaign? the snp are going in with the pledge _ this selection campaign? the snp are going in with the pledge that - this selection campaign? the snp are going in with the pledge that they - going in with the pledge that they get a majority of seats in scotland, 29 seats in scotland at the 57 that are on offer, that would empower the party to enter into negotiations for a second independence referendum and john has been asked many times but it would mean if the party does not achieve that majority of seats, would the snp take that as a message from the electorate that they do not want the snp to pursue a second independence referendum and he is asked about that on the programme this morning he would not be drawn on that and he focused on authority of the mandate for his second vote in the 2021 now the router election —— holyrood. to the delivery of a referendum and independence and delivering scottish

i believe we can -la a snp's message today. i believe we can play a little _ snp's message today.eve we can play a little bit of— snp's message today. i believe we can play a little bit of what - snp's message today. i believe we can play a little bit of what john . can play a little bit of whatjohn swinney said a little earlier on. let's hear from the man swinney said a little earlier on. let's hearfrom the man himself. i have been talking during this election— i have been talking during this election campaign about the damage that has_ election campaign about the damage that has been done to scotland by the triple — that has been done to scotland by the triple whammy of austerity, brexit— the triple whammy of austerity, brexit and the cost of living crisis. — brexit and the cost of living crisis, and all of these are a product _ crisis, and all of these are a product of— crisis, and all of these are a product of westminster decision—making. the answer to that, of course, _ decision—making. the answer to that, of course, in— decision—making. the answer to that, of course, in scot

next up, the i vote for the snp. next up, the liberal democrat _ vote for the snp. for the snp. next up, the liberal democrat leader sir - vote for the snp. next up, the liberal democrat leader sir ed | vote for the snp. next up, the - liberal democrat leader sir ed davey and alison in the audience was not messing about. pare and alison in the audience was not messing about-— and alison in the audience was not messing about. are you not going to bankru -t messing about. are you not going to bankrupt the — messing about. are you not going to bankrupt the country? _ messing about. are you not going to bankrupt the country? thank - messing about. are you not going to bankrupt the country? thank you - messing about. are you not going to bankrupt the country? thank you forj bankrupt the country? thank you for our bankrupt the country? thank you for your question. _ bankrupt the country? thank you for your question, alison, _ bankrupt the country? thank you for your question, alison, the _ bankrupt the country? thank you for your question, alison, the answer i bankrupt th

"some polls have labour ahead of the snp. "if labour wins a majority of scottish westminster seats, could we see a labour first minister or would that be decided in a scottish election? ps," and i love this bit. "i avoided using tartan wall purely for laura's benefits". so handy, we got you here this week. yes. good morning to you, laura. tartan wool. i'm not a fan. i'm not a fan of tartan wool either. and we will answer that question, connor. we will answer it, but you have to keep listening. and a few other things to go through today. sure. yeah. we have the various commitments made that seem to be fairly new commitments on welfare reform. and we also have the previews for the manifestos. it's going to be an exciting episode of this sunday's newscast. newscast from the bbc. hello, it's laura in the studio. it's faisel in studio two. it's james in glasgow. hurray! how nice to have the two of you with me here on a sunday afternoon, having been abandoned by paddy and henry and adam and everybody else. i fought my way through t

will always oppose. sector cuts that the snp will always o- ose. ., , sector cuts that the snp willt of candidates. _ oppose. here are the list of candidates. you _ oppose. here are the list of candidates. you can - oppose. here are the list of candidates. you can see - oppose. here are the list of| candidates. you can see the oppose. here are the list of - candidates. you can see the names oppose. here are the list of _ candidates. you can see the names on there. if you want to see who is standing in any constituency in this upcoming election, you can go to the bbc news website, pop in the name of the seat you want to see all —— all the seat you want to see all —— all the candidates will come up. meanwhile, the liberal democrats are on theirfinal tour of the country — a five—day journey from john 0'groats in northern scotland, to lands end in the south—west of england. lib dem leader sir ed davey�*s first visit of the day is to st andrews. he's been playing the highland game of shinty at the university ground in north east fife — and has been talking about the lib dems' prospects i

as far as we know the lib dems are tomorrow, the snp is much later on isn't it, james? the tories are on tuesday we think, and labour on thursday. james, tell us, stephen flynn this morning said the snp has not given up on independence even though i think friday night in the debate was one of the first times i've seen an snp politician on stage for more than an hour and hardly ever mention independence. from looking at the campaign rather than talking about what's in their soul, from looking at the campaign, does it look like they've given up for now? so, i think what was striking was that what we heard from stephen flynn in the debate and indeed in your interview this morning was not really necessarily the same as we're hearing from john swinney in news conferences and campaign events in terms of independence. john swinney has actually been mentioning independence quite a lot. and for me, stephen flynn has advanced in both of these big uk wide set piece tv occasions over the last 48 hours or so has advanced half of the argument on the snp from the snp's perspective, wh

for the snp. , , y ., , the snp.hat is the strategy for _ the snp. lynsey, what is the strategy for independence i the snp. lynsey, what is the strategy for independence in | the snp. lynsey, what is the i strategy for independence in this election campaign?— strategy for independence in this election campaign? well, they are auoin into election campaign? well, they are going into this _ election campaign? well, they are going into this election _ election campaign? well, they are going into this election with i election campaign? well, they are going into this election with a i going into this election with a pledge that if they get the majority of seats in scotland, that would be 29 out of the 57 that are on offer, then that would empower the party to enter into negotiations for a second independence referendum. john swinney has been asked many times what it would mean if the party does not achieve that majority of seats. would the snp take that as a message from the electorate that they do not want the scottish go

the snp say the offer the snp manifesto. the snp say they offer an _ the snp manifesto.ffer an alternative to - they offer an alternative to they offer an alternative to the spending squeeze both the conservatives and labor will the party claims ever made sure they went. he points to policies they brought in at holyrood like the scottish child payment as proof that his party is different. childsplay here, but manifestoes are a serious moment to set out the party's serious moment to set out the pa rty�*s stall. serious moment to set out the party's stall. the snp to win seats for the measures being proposed today. lorna gordon, bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. president biden has been speaking in the united states. he was addressing earlier talking about immigration. i want those with an educated us couege want those with an educated us college university for their skills and knowledge to work in america and i want to keep building the strongest economy in the world, with the best workforce of the world. with credit of 15 million newjobs, re

, she said and general election where the snp won the majority of seats in scotland should almost bed negotiation start straightaway. there has been previous talk about whether or not the bar for negotiations to open on scotland simply - seceding from the rest - of the united kingdom would be a majority of votes in a scottish referendum, which is obviouslyj a much higher bar than the majority of the 57 scottish seats that - are being contested this time around, so in that sense, - yes, we have pretty- much heard this before. what i wanted to know from a john swinney, i because it was not totally clear in the text, when you look - at the text it says if the snp wins a majority of scottish seats, - the scottish government would be empowered to begin immediate . negotiates of the uk government to give democratic effective - to scotland becoming i an independent country. i wanted to know if that meant that she thoughtl you could skip the referendum, and answer was no. he said there must be a referendum, it is the only democratic route - to independence for scotland. so that is clear. it

snp was the only party standing up for scotland.ty standing up for scotland. thank you, lorna. later in the programme, the bbc verify team will be looking into some of those snp manifesto pledges, and seeing whether the figures stack up. the workers party of britain has also presented its manifesto today. party leader george galloway described it as a "bold and comprehensive plan to redistribute wealth and power". he was the party's one mp in the last parliament, after winning the rochdale by—election in february. the party is fielding more than 150 candidates in this campaign. there is a very real danger of nigel farage running away with this election because of the deliberate vacuity, i am not accusing either sunak or starmer of being stupid, the deliberate and contrived vacuity, emptiness of their leadership and their programmes. the third manifesto being launched today is sinn fein�*s. in the past two years, it's won the most seats in northern ireland's devolved government and on local councils there. the party will be defending

for decades, labourwere ahead of the snp in scotland.land by some way, especially in the central belt, labour once again i dozens of seats across scotland, particularly in glasgow in the west of scotland. we have already seen keir starmer come to scotland since the campaign launch twice and we have seen rishi sunak here and the liberal democrat leader ed davey here and john swinney on the campaign trail. business and the scottish parliament in edinburgh is continuing as usual. wibble be back with you when the launch takes place a little later. much more on our website with a special page dedicated to the uk election. it's now 30 years since the first free elections took place in south africa and nelson mandela was elected as president. he famously left the post after serving only one term. but his party, the anc, has governed since then. now, for the first time in its history, it no longer has a majority. the official tally will be announced later on sunday but preliminary results show the anc at around a0%. it is still the largest party

voting snp... applause.alth service. well, do all the numbers add up? our policy and analysis correspondent ben chu and the team at bbc verify have been taking a closer look. what a closer look. is in the scottish national pa rty�*s what is in the scottish national party's manifesto and does it add up? it's important to recognise this is not a manifesto for a party which has aspirations to form a uk wide government but it is nevertheless framed through that prism because this is a westminster election. because of the way the uk system works, when it comes to devolved areas like health or education, the devolved nations get a share of the increase granted to england only services, which is loosely based on their relative population shares. given scotland's population is roughly a tenth of the size of england's, if the uk government increased nhs england spending by £10 billion, the westminster grant given to scotland to spend on its priorities would also rise by a tent, about £1 billion. the snp manifesto cal

on brexit, the snp want to _ snp, they have their own message on brexit, the snp want to join _ snp,ent scotland. it has been _ in an independent scotland. it has been a _ in an independent scotland. it has been a big — in an independent scotland. it has been a big issue _ in an independent scotland. it has been a big issue across _ in an independent scotland. it has been a big issue across scotland l in an independent scotland. it has l been a big issue across scotland but a very— been a big issue across scotland but a very different _ been a big issue across scotland but a very different dynamic _ been a big issue across scotland but a very different dynamic this - been a big issue across scotland but a very different dynamic this time i a very different dynamic this time around _ a very different dynamic this time around. ~ , , , , a very different dynamic this time around. ~ ,, , , ., a very different dynamic this time around. , , ., ,, ., ., a very different dynamic this time around. ~ ,, , , ., ,, ., ., ., around. the assembly at stormont got u i around. the assembly at stormon

what was very interesting is it's no secret the snp overall. is it's no secret the snp overall have _e party. it's the reason why some voters have backed them _ reason why some voters have backed them over— reason why some voters have backed them over the years, but not exclusively so. it was interesting thatjohn — exclusively so. it was interesting thatjohn swinney, along exclusively so. it was interesting that john swinney, along with things like we _ that john swinney, along with things like we want more public spending, people _ like we want more public spending, people should pay more tax, he decided — people should pay more tax, he decided to put independence back up at the _ decided to put independence back up at the top _ decided to put independence back up at the top of the list. now of course, _ at the top of the list. now of course, it's not surprising the snp have _ course, it's not surprising the snp have got— course, it's not surprising the snp have got independence and a party manifesto. however, it is a change of tack— manifesto. however, it is a change of tack to— man

would she be welcome in the snp? _ be backing labour. would she be welcome in the snp?g labour. would she be welcome in the snp? i'll busily l be backing labour. would she be . welcome in the snp? i'll busily want to make sure that people feel able to make sure that people feel able to support the national party and support the things we bring to this debate. we are the only party facing the substantial problems facing this country, where the only party that says we have to face up to the fact that brexit has been a disaster and we need to support people through the cost of living crisis. i believe thatis the cost of living crisis. i believe that is best done through scottish independence were the people of scotland can decide our own priorities and i invite anyone who supports that proposition to back the snp. , ., ,, , supports that proposition to back the snp. , ., ,, y ., ~ the snp. john swinney making it clear he does _ the snp. john swinney making it clear he does want _ the snp. john swinney making it clear he does want to _ the snp. john swinney making it clear

my that the snp are setting it out.view would be that they're actually waving the white flag right now. they're basically admitting to scotland that after eight years or so, after pursuing this policy, which basically consists of just begging westminster for a referendum. and let's not forget that no less than five prime ministers have now said no to that request. i think we're all assuming at this point that keir starmer is going to be forming the next government in westminster, and keir starmer has said no to that. so when you're faced with this situation, you have to adapt . situation, you have to adapt. you have to think, right, there must be a democratic route here for scots to make their voice heard on this question. you know, it's ten years now since the last referendum. and if that is the case, you need to have a strategy , you need to have strategy, you need to have a plan to set out so that scotland can express its democratic choice. and the uk is not offering that right now. and i don't believe that the strat

so the snp a very clear on this.des of the same coin and that they are not being honest with voters right across the uk about the extent of spending cuts that are likely to come down the line in the coming years, whoever takes charge at westminster after the general election. the snp�*s argument is, in effect, that with both the conservatives and labour indulging in a conspiracy of silence about spending cuts it is up to them to make clear that people are aware of the sort of challenges facing public services, health, education, all the rest of it, right across the uk in the coming years. john swinney was repeating that to me just a few minutes ago as well. he said it is absolutely vital that they get that message out, that there are these problems emerging that public services will be under huge pressure financially in the coming years, whoever is in charge at westminster, and it is therefore the role of the snp to hold their feet to the fire to deliver more funding for public services, whatever happens. a very clea

~ ., .., , . the snp? i think what we can expect from john swinney _ the snp? _ from john swinney is to hammer home a couple of— from john swinney is to hammer home a couple of key— from john swinney is to hammer home a couple of key messages. _ from john swinney is to hammer home a couple of key messages. they- a couple of key messages. they essentially— a couple of key messages. they essentially boiled _ a couple of key messages. they essentially boiled down - a couple of key messages. they essentially boiled down to - essentially boiled down to highlighting _ essentially boiled down to highlighting the _ essentially boiled down to highlighting the dangers. essentially boiled down to| highlighting the dangers of austerity, _ highlighting the dangers of austerity, regardless- highlighting the dangers of austerity, regardless of. highlighting the dangers of. austerity, regardless of who highlighting the dangers of- austerity, regardless of who wins the electioh _ austerity, regardless of who wins the election. it's _ austerity, regardless of who wins the electi

you _ snp in particular, it is their fault. you are _ snp in particular, it is their fault. evening. — good evening. good evening, stephen. good evening, pannell. _ does the probable change of uk government mean. independence is off the table for the foreseeable future? . —— panel. thank you, gavin. -- panel. thank you, gavin. anas sarwar. -- panel. thank you, gavin. anas sarwar- lt— -- panel. thank you, gavin. anas sarwar- it is— -- panel. thank you, gavin. anas sarwar. it is for— -- panel. thank you, gavin. anas sarwar. it is for the _ -- panel. thank you, gavin. anas sarwar. it is for the scottish - sarwar. it is for the scottish people to decide the future of our country. people to decide the future of our count . . , ., people to decide the future of our count . . , . i. people to decide the future of our count . ., , ., y., ., people to decide the future of our count . . , . ., ., country. really, are you going to allow a referendum? _ country. really, are you going to allow a referendum? it _ country. really, are you going to allow a referendum? it is - country. reall

what i from the snp is complacency? what i want to make — from the snp is complacency?about politics today, and i accept that i might actually have played a part in creating this, is the polarisation of debate, and i think there is a need to bring people together. i became first ministerjust six and a half weeks ago, and i pledge that i would reach out beyond my party to other parties and other opinions to try to wring people together, because i think what is wrong with our society today is that we are not together, we are polarised, and we need to bring people back together again. k. | applause -- 0k. applause —— ok. let's take a question from sam. where are you? are you going to carry on with independence _ are you going to carry on with independence referenda - are you going to carry on with independence referenda until| are you going to carry on with - independence referenda until you get the answer— independence referenda until you get the answer you — independence referenda until you get the answer you want? _ the answer you want? thank— the answer you want? thank

that has led to the snp's finances. party's former chief executive peter murrell who is also the husband of nicola sturgeon. he is charged with embezzling party funds and a report into that is now sitting with prosecutors. that investigation continues. the investigation is also dealing with that in the background and then right at the start of the election campaign, former snp health secretary michael matheson, who resigned over an £11,000 ipad data bill was facing sanctions from the scottish parliament. he had initially been defended by the party. he said he had used the ipad for work purposes, allowing the taxpayer to pick up the bill. and then eventually admitted that his sons had been using the device to watch football on holiday and he paid back the money and resigned under pressure back in february. so, now mr swinney is also facing questions about the use of parliamentary stamps. a complaint has been made to the holyrood authorities over claims the party has used parliamentary stamps for election purposes. today

it is much more a contest either between the snp and the tories or the snp and labour, and the snp willk labour from the left. and if they have mps returned to the house of commons, those mps will be the ones who are pulling labour to the left on issues, you know, from the economy to energy. 0bviously labour have set out quite a cautious position. they say they're going to follow quite strict fiscal rules in order to give people confidence to invest in the economy. the snp say that is actually continuing the fiscal regime of the conservatives. that is what they term austerity, so the snp saying that a vote for them is a vote to pull labour away from that. and, as i say, that economic debate about the future of the economy, about whether there will be further spending, really underlies everything, including when we're talking about investment in green projects like this one here. phil sim reporting there, and it is worth me remind everybody that we have much more on our website, a special section dedicated to the uk election and a full list of candidates standing in every constituency, a

and i have been very candid about the fact that i recognise the snp has had that i recognise the snper. 0bviously, i've have come into an election campaign very quickly, but i acknowledge and have always acknowledged in my representation of those who have chosen me to go to parliament, that you have got to work constantly to build the trust that you experience with members of the public, and that is exactly what i will do as little of the scottish national party and is the first minister of scotland.- national party and is the first minister of scotland. lynsey bews is in glasaow minister of scotland. lynsey bews is in glasgow for _ minister of scotland. lynsey bews is in glasgow for a _ minister of scotland. lynsey bews is in glasgow for a song _ minister of scotland. lynsey bews is in glasgow for a song he _ minister of scotland. lynsey bews is in glasgow for a song he update i minister of scotland. lynsey bews is in glasgow for a song he update on. in glasgow for a song he update on how the snp is working to rebuild voters' trust. this is an issue that john swinney has returned to

john anyone who supports that proposition to back to the snp.— to back to the snp. it clear he does _ to back to the snp. john swinney making it clear he does want i to back to the snp. john swinney making it clear he does want to l to back to the snp. john swinney i making it clear he does want to see that the beetle in scotland's gender legislation lifted but also stressed there are other areas he sees as the number one priority at the moment. cost of living, brexit, independence, and the reason he wants to focus on those issues as they are issues that unite his party, unites the snp, unites people he hopes will come out and vote for him on the 4th ofjuly, whereas the gender issue like in other political parties has been an issue of division and the snp, even an issue of open revolt at times. i think john swinney perhaps quite happy to not to be speaking about that too often on the campaign at the moment. sir keir starmer the labour leader was in scotland yesterday asked for his opinion on this piece of legislation and he seemed to indicate if he was prime ministe

voting snp . voting snp is sale. voting snp.h service . national health service. friends, i've made clear the focus of my government will be to eradicate child poverty. the two child benefit cap makes things much, much worse . it is things much, much worse. it is the exact opposite of what the uk government should be doing. introduced by an uncaring conservative government, it is frankly beyond me that the prospective labour government plan to keep this deeply damaging policy. snp mps will press for the two child benefit cap to be scrapped . the future cap to be scrapped. the future of the two child cap is a simple test. are you in government to help children out of poverty, or are you so morally lost that you push kids into poverty ? our push kids into poverty? our choice to abolish the cap is obvious , and it is driven by our obvious, and it is driven by our values, and we will assert that in the house of commons after this election. those values that demand the removal of the two child cap also drive the snp on so many issues

mhairi black, how does the scandal compared to recent snp| the scandal compared to recent snp scandals had quite a tumultuous - scandals? i mean, obviously the snp have had quite a tumultuous year, i scandals? i mean, obviously the snp have had quite a tumultuous year, if| have had quite a tumultuous year, if you can _ have had quite a tumultuous year, if you can put — have had quite a tumultuous year, if you can put it— have had quite a tumultuous year, if you can put it that _ have had quite a tumultuous year, if you can put it that way. _ have had quite a tumultuous year, if you can put it that way. but - have had quite a tumultuous year, if you can put it that way. but the - you can put it that way. but the most _ you can put it that way. but the most recent _ you can put it that way. but the most recent thing... _ you can put it that way. but the most recent thing... i- you can put it that way. but the most recent thing... i assume i you can put it that way. but the i most recent thing... i assume you are talking — most recent thing... i assume you are talking about _ most recent

of the snp win, the will pitching for votes. of the snp win, they will claim _ pitching for votes. pitching for votes. of the snp win, they will claim every seat - pitching for votes. of the snp win, they will claim every seat as - pitching for votes. of the snp win, they will claim every seat as a - they will claim every seat as a mandate for independence. they will be distracted from the local issues you care about. in key seats up and down scotland, if everybody who wants to beat the snp votes together for the scottish conservatives, we can end their obsession with independence for good. scotland can't afford _ independence for good. scotland can't afford five _ independence for good. scotland can't afford five more _ independence for good. scotland can't afford five more years - independence for good. scotland can't afford five more years of. independence for good. scotland | can't afford five more years of this rotten _ can't afford five more years of this rotten tory— can't afford five more years of this rotten tory government. we can't miss— rotten tory government. we can't

the snp is also having to deal with that going on in the background.signed over an £11,000 ipad data bill, was facing sanctions from the scottish parliament. he had initially been defended by the party, he had said he used the ipad for work purposes, allowing the taxpayer to pick up the bill, and then eventually admitted that his sons had been using the device to watch football on holiday, and he paid back the money and resigned under pressure back in february. now john swinney is also facing questions about the use of parliamentary stamps. a complaint has been made to a holyrood's authorities about claims that the party has used parliamentary stamps for election purposes. today he was a very clear that he has been given assurances that that has not happened, but all of this just provides ammunition for opposition parties to attack the snp on that issue of trust.— parties to attack the snp on that issue of trust. ., ~ , ., , . as we've been hearing, scotland play hungary later. victory in stuttgart for scotland could propel them past the group stages o

she�*s from the snp. she�*s the deputy first minister in the snp scottish government.it down to the continent and across the world. now, miss forbes, from the snp, has been highlighting what she calls a brexit red tape. she says it costs the salmon industry £3 million every year. she�*s also highlighting a lack of skilled migrants coming from the eu to work here. of course, the snp have a long—standing opposition to brexit. she has been saying only snp mps will stand up for the food and drinks sector in westminster. and she says that only snp mps can promise a way back into the european union, through scottish independence. of course, political opponents disagree with how that might work out. and finally, just on the football, miss forbes was saying it was a rough night for the tartan army, but she was saying they never give up. and a reminder that like every day during the election campaign, we have a special live page up and running online, where you can get the latest from the campaigns, as well as analysis from our correspondents, whilst the bbc verify team will lo

so you're going to vote snp?y way forward. and i want the best future for my kids. but are those views typical at this election? labour hopes not as it tries to win back all six seats in the city. i've had to pick who i think is the most honest one out of the lot. i get the impression keir starmer is more genuine. but i would vote labour anyway. but again, they're saying they might put taxes up and all that but i think the country's got the problems regardless of who's in government. it's always been bad. i there's still a lot of things that i are expensive but now it's got ten times worse, and you look. on the shelves and you see. these food banks, i've never seen so many food banks in my life. - what are you thinking about this election? it's a bit of a riot, so it is. i think the conservatives don't really care much about scotland. neither does labour. don't think the snp has scotland's best interests at heart but it's the best out of a bad bunch, right now. so you're going to stick with the snp? yeah, unfortu

we arejoined by we are joined by the snp we arejoined by the snp campaign to director.. what are you doing at this state? , . director. what are you doing at this stae? , ., ., 4' director. what are you doing at this state? , ., ., ~ ., stage? is all the work done, in terms of tonight. _ stage? is all the work done, in terms of tonight. in _ stage? is all the work done, in terms of tonight. in one - stage? is all the work done, in | terms of tonight. in one sense, stage? is all the work done, in - terms of tonight. in one sense, we have an easy pitch. we are saying no to austerity, so it's pretty straightforward. other parties have said that, but in terms of getting — other parties have said that, but in terms of getting votes, _ other parties have said that, but in terms of getting votes, what - other parties have said that, but in terms of getting votes, what will i terms of getting votes, what will you be doing? you can't necessarily talk about all of your policies. you do, and i would _ talk about all of your policies. tm. do, and i would be surprised that john does

the snp campaigning hard saying that is cruel and unfair the snp campaigning hard saying that is cruelandngs. that is a dividing line as people are fighting here particularly here in glasgow to see whether labour can win back some of that support the west to the smp last time. it is win back some of that support the west to the smp last time.- west to the smp last time. it is a challen . e west to the smp last time. it is a challenge for _ west to the smp last time. it is a challenge for labour— west to the smp last time. it is a challenge for labour in _ west to the smp last time. it is a challenge for labour in terms i west to the smp last time. it is a challenge for labour in terms ofl challenge for labour in terms of wrangling their left flank in scotland or other places, where the compass is a little bit more to the left stop not as much as people would think. but the compasses probably a little bit further to the left. in terms of what labour was offering today it's not something that's going to get people going wild. they are offered today was to carry on with the tory commitment t

the oil and gas industry has been critical of snp energy policy, though, because the snp isn't supportive made very clear that we want to work with the oil and gas sector as we manage the transition to net—zero, and there's absolutely no way i'm going to preside over a situation where there is industrial damage done to the north—east of scotland and to the economy of scotland by the way in which we go about that transition to net—zero. we've got to manage that transition carefully, we've got to make the shift to renewables, but we can do that in partnership with the oil and gas sector. and that's the approach that i'll take as we take forward our commitments to deliver on climate action. they conservatives seem to be the only party that are in support of new oil and gas licences, though. as you know, many people in this city are highly supportive and rely on oil and gasjobs — they'll be looking on and wondering why should i vote snp when the conservatives are the only party that are going forward with oil and gas licences? i think what people will see in the north—east of scotland about t