Political Parties in Scotland The 2018 edition!

We are learning to… Define ‘Devolution’ in the context of Scottish Politics. Explain why devolution occurred in Scotland. Distinguish between ‘Reserved’ and ‘Devolved’ political powers.

Political Parties in Scotland. LI: To compare the policies and motivations of the main political parties in Scotland

Political Parties in Scotland.

Political Parties in Scotland. A political party is an organisation made up of people who share similar political beliefs and opinions.

Political Parties in Scotland. Policy Political Parties have their own visions and plans of how they think the country should be run. These plans can be listed under key policy areas such as education, environment, justice etc. A party’s unique vision and plans. Essentially the policies and promises a party makes about what they will do if elected. Manifesto

The Scottish National Party Key people Nicola Sturgeon MSP – First Minister of Scotland. SNP Party Leader John Swinney MSP – Deputy First Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills.

The Scottish National Party Key Policies Continue to campaign for Scottish Independence. Make Scotland a world leader in green energy. Reform the NHS to meet the challenge of an ageing population: invest an additional £1.3 billion in health and social care partnerships and increase numbers of GPs and nurses By 2021 increase flexible early years education – for all 3 and 4 year olds and our most vulnerable 2 year olds – from 16 hours a week to 30 hours a week.

The Scottish National Party The SNP currently forms a minority government in Scotland and also holds 35 seats in Westminister.

The Scottish Labour Party Key people. Richard Leonard MSP – only became an MSP in 2016. Took over leadership of the party in November 2017 following the shock resignation of Kezia Dugdale

The Scottish Labour Party Key Policies Opposition to a second independence referendum. A new Scottish Investment Bank with £20bn of lending power. Promising an end to austerity. A fairer tax system to support public services. Breakfast clubs in all Scottish primary schools. Introducing a real Living Wage of £10.

The Scottish Labour Party The Scottish Labour party is not independent of The Labour Party (UK) Traditionally one of the strongest parties in Scotland. Less popular in elected office since 2007. SNP have taken hold in Scotland claiming many “safe” Labour seats. Strong links to trade unions, who influence many of their policies.

The Scottish Conservative Party. Key people. Ruth Davidson MSP – Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party. David Mundell MP. – Chairman of The Scottish Conservative Party and current Secretary for Scotland Became leader in 2011, has been seen as an extremely positive influence for the party in Scotland Not elected to The Scottish Parliament, sits as MP in Westminster, as The only Scottish Tory MP.

The Scottish Conservative Party. Key Policies. Strongly opposes independence for Scotland Committed to keeping Council tax bills "as low as possible“ A rethink of the controversial Curriculum for Excellence and extended childcare provision targeting a higher proportion of disadvantaged one and two-year-olds 24 hour mental health support in GPs surgeries and A&E departments. 100,000 new homes built across the country during the next four years.

The Scottish Conservative Party. The Scottish Conservative party is not independent of The Conservative Party (UK). Has seen a growth in support in Scotland under the leadership of Ruth Davidson – they are now the second largest party in the Scottish Parliament. Scottish support for the UK Conservative Government remains weak however – is there a major disconnect between the UK and Scottish levels within the party?

The Scottish Liberal Democrats. Key people Willie Rennie MSP. Leader of The Scottish Liberal Democrats. Became leader in 2011, after failure of party to improve position in Scotland.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats. Key Policies Strongly oppose "another divisive referendum" on independence but want a referendum on the final terms of the Brexit deal Propose adding a penny on income tax in Scotland in order to invest additional money in education and mental health End the 1% pay cap in the public sector to enable the lifting of the pay for 540,000 public sector workers in Scotland Work to secure the extension of early education and childcare to three and four-year-olds, all two-year-olds and the most vulnerable families with children of an earlier age

The Scottish Liberal Democrats. The Scottish Lib Dems are one of three parties within the federal Liberal Democrats. Others being The Welsh Liberal Democrats and The Liberal Democrats in England. They hold 5 of the 129 seats in Holyrood Have traditionally been strong in Scotland although have suffered the consequences of the UK level coalition with the Conservative Party which was not popular in Scotland.

The Scottish Green Party Key people Patrick Harvie MSP –Co-convenor of the Scottish Green Party since 2008. From 2007-2011 Harvie was the convenor of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee at Holyrood.

The Scottish Green Party Key Policies Fight to scrap the "regressive" council tax and replace it with a fairer property-based levy Push for a "Living Wage Plus" of £9.20 an hour for carers and a crackdown on zero-hours contracts Keep class sizes down and replace teachers and support staff lost to cuts At least 12,000 new social rented homes to be built each year across Scotland Support a zero-waste policy for all councils by 2025 Improve bin collection services and extend doorstep recycling, with a "rapid response squad" to deal with overflowing recycling bins Support Scottish Independence

The Scottish Green Party The Scottish Green Party was created in 1990 when the former Green Party split into separate, independent parties, for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England and Wales. The party is affiliated to the Global Greens and the European Green Party. Party membership increased dramatically following the Scottish independence referendum. The Party currently holds 6 seats in Holyrood – its highest number ever elected.

Group Task Each group will be given a political party to focus on. Create a summary presentation of the party and their most recent policies. You must include information on the party’s: Current standing in the Scottish Parliament Stance on Scottish Independence Education policy Health/Healthcare policy Any 2 other policy areas