--- election_year: 2019 party_id: scottish-conservative party_name: Scottish Conservative Party party_leader: Jackson Carlaw political_spectrum: centre-right victory: true government_outcome: majority sections: - economy - taxation - health - education - housing - immigration - defence - foreign-policy - environment - law-and-order - welfare - democracy-and-constitution - agriculture - energy - devolution - science-and-technology - local-government --- # Scottish Conservative Party Manifesto 2019 ## Our Guarantee 1. We will stop Nicola Sturgeon’s plan for a second independence referendum next year. 2. We will get Brexit sorted so that we can move Scotland on. 3. We will deliver additional funding for Scotland’s public services. 4. We will introduce an Australian-style points-based immigration system that works for every part of the UK. 5. We will not raise rates of VAT or National Insurance. ## Contents Introduction Strengthen Our Union Get Brexit Sorted Unleash Scotland’s Potential We Will Tackle Your Priorities We Will Unleash Scotland’s Potential We Will Strengthen Scotland In The World We Will Put You First ## Foreword ### Foreword from Boris Johnson For the last decade Scotland has been trapped, like a lion in a cage. You have been like some super-green supercar blocked in the traffic. You can see the way ahead. You know where you want to go - and you know why you are stuck. You have been paralysed by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP who simply refuse to accept your decision to keep our United Kingdom together. And that is why this election is so essential. Stop a second independence referendum - and we restore confidence and certainty to businesses and families. Stop a second independence referendum - and we will see a pent-up tidal wave of investment into Scotland. Stop a second independence referendum - and politics can get back to your priorities like Scotland’s public services and the cost of living. Stop a second independence referendum – and we can release that lion from its cage and Scotland can move forward. There is only one way to stop a second independence referendum and get Brexit done and that is to vote Scottish Conservative on December 12th. country. Opportunity is not. Now is the time If the outcome of this election is a strong Conservative majority Government – then I can guarantee that we will reject any request from the SNP Government to hold an independence referendum. There will be no negotiation – we will mark that letter return to sender and be done with it. to invest in gigabit broadband for every You already made your decision five years ago, when two million Scots said no to independence. Nicola Sturgeon promised you this was a once-in-a-generation decision and I will hold her to that. I am very proud of the achievements of this Government in its first 100 days. We have mapped out a fantastic programme for the years ahead: to unite and level up, spreading £1.25 billion contract to continue the great opportunity across the whole United Kingdom. Scotland with five new Type 31 frigates being The UK has extraordinary advantages. We lead the world in 21st-century technologies, from batteries to bioscience. We have many of the best universities on earth. There are parts of this country that are more productive and more innovative than anywhere else in Europe. We believe in superb public services and And yet there are parts of the country that feel left behind. Talent and genius are uniformly distributed throughout the to close that gap – not just because it makes such obvious economic sense, but for the sake of simple social justice. If this Conservative Government is returned to office, we will have an infrastructure revolution for this country. Now is the time home and business. We will invest in technology and innovation. And we will invest in Britain’s people by giving them the tools and training to flourish in the economy of the 21st century. We will build on our £211 million of additional support for Scottish farming and our tradition of Royal Navy shipbuilding in constructed at Rosyth. We are the only party that can deliver this programme, because we are the only party that understands the balance and symmetry at the heart of the UK economy. infrastructure, not just because they are good things in themselves, but because they are the bedrock of a dynamic free market economy. And there is only one way to deliver well-funded public services – and that is to foster and encourage the millions of British businesses, large and small, that create the wealth of the nation. Their success is our success. It is thanks to the innovations of British battery-makers and turbine designers that we are able to cut CO2 - and achieve our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050. It is precisely because we understand the concept of aspiration, and enterprise, that the UK is now leading a new green industrial revolution. The tragedy of the modern Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn is that they detest the profit motive so viscerally – and would raise taxes so wantonly – that they would destroy the very basis of this country’s prosperity. If you want to understand the impact of a Corbyn Government on ordinary people, remember that he has voted against tax cuts worth £7,800 for people on modest incomes. He is already committed to putting up corporation tax to one of the highest levels in Europe. Worse than that, he will have to do a shady backroom deal with Nicola Sturgeon to get into government. And the price of that deal will be an independence referendum in 2020. referendum - and he still cannot tell In contrast, we will defend and protect our us what side he would be on: in or out, United Kingdom - the awesome foursome that make up the most successful political partnership in history. second independence referendum We are proud of our Armed Forces, and will always fund them properly. independence debate taking priority over We will stand up for our country and our values around the world. We don’t want to waste 2020 on two Above all, we Conservatives will respect the democratic will of the people. We will finally get Brexit done by January 31st and We want next year to be a year of hope, of end the threat of a second independence referendum. We want to move on, with our programme We are able to deliver all the advantages of leaving the EU: making our own laws, controlling our own borders, taking back control of our fishing waters, and exercising all kinds of new freedoms. can get on with our work of making Britain From freeports to free trade deals, from abolishing the cruel live shipment of animals to cutting VAT on tampons, we in the UK will be able to remain close to our European friends and partners; but where we choose, we will be able to do things differently and better. independence referendum for good, get With a new Parliament and a sensible majority Government, we can get that deal through in days. It is oven-ready - and every single Conservative candidate at this election, all 635 of them, have pledged to vote for this deal as soon as Parliament returns. And what is Jeremy Corbyn’s alternative? A new negotiation, and then a new Remain or Leave. It is a recipe for chaos - compounded by a Scotland has had enough of the everything else. acrimonious referendums. prosperity and growth. of investment in infrastructure and technology, to create a high-wage, high- skill, low-tax economy. We want to get Brexit done so that we the greatest place in the world to live , to start a family, to own a home, to start a business – with the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth. Let’s end the threat of a second Brexit done and enable Scotland and the rest of the UK to move forward together. Prime Minister Leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party ### Foreword from Jackson Carlaw As we approach the election on December 12th, it’s clear that Scotland is facing the very real risk of another divisive referendum on independence – within months. Nicola Sturgeon has said she wants another referendum next year. Jeremy Corbyn – and countless other Labour politicians – have made clear they will not stand in her way. If the SNP and Labour win a majority of seats in the UK Parliament between also the only party with the strength to take on the SNP and win. Scottish Conservative MPs have So voting for us can stop that second referendum. In doing so, it will also help first and foremost, working hard in bring an end to the division and feuding of the last decade. were elected to represent. Whether It’s time to unite this country and move forward. our farmers, in recent times Scottish Because we want to start concentrating on what matters to Scots in their everyday lives. their constituents above all else. always acted as local representatives the UK Parliament to deliver practical outcomes for the parts of Scotland they it’s achieving Growth Deals for our cities or securing additional funding for Conservative MPs have worked tirelessly for their communities, the length and breadth of Scotland. them, a Corbyn-Sturgeon pact is on the cards. The SNP will hand the keys of Number 10 to Mr Corbyn in return for the referendum they long for – with a second EU referendum thrown in for good measure. This real and present risk is why all pro- UK Scots should, at this general election We believe that there is an urgent need to restore our public services in Scotland, after years of neglect from an SNP government that has prioritised breaking up the United Kingdom above all else. sorted so the United Kingdom can move Most people in Scotland want We now have the chance to reject, once and for all, the SNP’s attempt to drag us back to another referendum on independence. We now have the chance to get Brexit forward together. in particular, vote Scottish Conservative the Scottish Government and UK – to stop Sturgeon and Corbyn taking us back to yet more division. The Scottish Conservatives unashamedly believe in the Union. We are the only party in Scotland who have that at the centre of what we do. We’re Government to work together for the common good and to act constructively in the interests of the people they represent. Jackson Carlaw That’s why Scottish Conservatives MPs elected on December 12th will champion On December 12th, I urge you to take this opportunity to elect Scottish Conservative MPs who will achieve just that. Leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party ## Strengthen our Union Opposing a second independence referendum In 2014, people in Scotland voted decisively to keep our United Kingdom together, on a promise from Nicola Sturgeon that it was a once in a generation decision. Ever since then, Nicola Sturgeon and her SNP Government have been ignoring that By voting for our party in 2017, hundreds of thousands of Scots sent a clear message that they wanted this SNP Government to put their independence agenda to one side and get on with the job of managing our schools and hospitals. This forced Sturgeon to abandon her plans for an independence referendum in 2018. stronger and more prosperous. For over Now Nicola Sturgeon and her SNP Government again want to hold an independence referendum next year. Enhancing the benefits of the Union The United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic union in history. Together, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are safer, 300 years, our people have built this great country together and we believe our best days lie ahead. vote with the intention of putting Scotland through the division and uncertainty of a another independence referendum all over again. They say that Brexit gives them the mandate for a second referendum, but have admitted that even if the UK were to stay in the EU there should be another vote. It is clear that there will always be a in your constituency, which Sturgeon new excuse or grievance for the SNP to demand an independence referendum. So long as this SNP Government continues to put their independence obsession ahead of Scotland’s public services and our economy, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party will oppose another referendum. Across Scotland, only the Scottish Conservatives have the strength and the will to stand up to the SNP. Labour would sell out Scotland to get SNP support for a Jeremy Corbyn government, with a second independence referendum as the price. Voting for the Liberal Democrats will result in an SNP MP being elected We believe in devolution. It was a says will strengthen her mandate for demanding another independence vote. Just like in 2017, the only way that Scottish made the Scottish Parliament one of the voters can send a clear signal to Nicola Sturgeon that they do not want another divisive referendum is by voting Scottish Conservative and Unionist. people. By getting Brexit sorted, we will deliver certainty so that all four nations of the UK can move on together. This will allow us to strengthen the Union, by making it our mission to be a government working for the whole of the United Kingdom, delivering for all of its people wherever they live. Conservative government that passed the 2012 and 2016 Scotland Acts, which gave new powers over tax and borrowing, and most powerful devolved parliaments in the world. The Scottish Government can now create new benefits and taxes, but it will have to justify them to the Scottish But this does not mean the UK Government has no role in Scotland. Far devolution settlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We Delivering for from it: the UK Government has a moral duty to protect Scotland’s interests. The SNP would like the UK Government to abdicate its responsibilities to Scotland – but Scotland should have the right to benefit from UK-wide investment every bit as much as England, Wales or Northern Ireland. We understand that Scotland’s two governments can achieve far more when they work together. So as we leave the EU,  Protecting the UK’s single market: we have the chance to think strategically about the shape of the whole Union and how to make us a stronger, more united country. - **UK Shared Prosperity Fund:** The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will tackle inequality between communities across the whole of the United Kingdom. It will replace the overly bureaucratic EU structural funds and at a minimum match the size of those funds in each nation. This meets the central request of the Scottish Government to maintain funding levels to Scotland at their current allocation and means that the core purpose of structural funding – to reduce inequalities between different places – will be the same. want to ensure that the institutions of the UK Government are working effectively to realise the benefits of our four nations working together as one United Kingdom. We will consider carefully the recommendations of Lord Dunlop’s Independent Review into UK Government Union capability when it is published, as we look at how we work to strengthen our Union going forward. Where the SNP have made a lot of noise but failed to deliver for their As we leave the EU, significant powers will return to the UK that were previously MPs have pushed the UK government to held in Brussels. Our approach to new powers will be that they are devolved by default: as a result, the Scottish Parliament will receive sweeping new powers in a range of policy areas. All parties in Scotland agree that we need to maintain UK-wide approaches in some areas – so we can protect our own internal market and ensure our reputation as a credible trading partner outside the EU. Scottish Conservative MPs will protect the integrity of the UK single market and the ability of businesses to trade across the UK. Argyll and Bute Deal. We have also delivered £265 million in funding for the Borderlands Growth Deal. We are also continuing to work towards Deals Scotland In 2017, 13 Scottish Conservative MPs were elected on a pledge to take a fresh approach and deliver for Scotland in the UK Parliament. We believe that constructive engagement with the UK Government is more likely to deliver for Scotland than endless grievance. constituencies, Scottish Conservative invest in Scotland’s vital industries and local economies: - We have committed £1.4 billion to Growth Deals across Scotland. We have committed £500 million to the Glasgow Deal, £125 million to the Aberdeen Deal, £53 million to the Inverness Deal, £300 million to the Edinburgh Deal, £45.1 million to the Stirling Deal, £150 million to the Tay Cities Deal, £103 million for the Ayrshire Deal, £32.5 million for the Moray Deal and £25 million for the for Falkirk and the Islands. - Strengthening the Union: Conservatives have a proud history of upholding and strengthening the - We delivered an extra billion pounds to spend on Scottish public services next year. The Scottish Government will receive an additional £1.2 billion in day-to-day spending next year, as a result of our investments in public services in England. - We backed Scotland’s whisky and gin industries by delivering a freeze in Spirits Duty over two years. After sustained campaigning by Scottish Conservative MPs, the UK Government announced that spirit duty would not rise with inflation, saving 30p on an average bottle of Scotch. On some issues, the SNP spent years complaining – but made little effort to find a resolution. They were more interested in getting a headline than working to find a solution. The Scottish Conservatives took a different approach. We took forward campaigns in good faith, engaged constructively – and won real results: - We are delivering £211 million in additional funding for Scottish farmers. The UK Government has resolved the historical issue of convergence uplift funding and ensured that Scotland’s farmers will receive their fair share of funding in the future. - We delivered an extra £35 million a year to the frontline of police and fire services. Scottish Conservative MPs persuaded the UK Government to refund VAT on equipment and vehicles purchased by Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, saving the two services an estimated £35 million each year. The SNP’s plans for a centralised police force were “predicated on VAT not being provided for”, meaning that they originally planned to pay VAT. This is a mess of the SNP’s own making that we managed to clear up. transition in the next Parliament with - We delivered a seasonal workers scheme for Scottish agriculture. Scottish Conservative MPs campaigned for the pilot as a first step to securing Scottish farmers access to the labour they need after Brexit. The pilot meant fruit and vegetable farmers are were able to employ 2,500 non-EU migrant workers for seasonal work of up to 6 months. Forces personnel resident here who Scottish Conservative MPs will continue to press a UK Conservative government to invest in and deliver for our vital industries: take home less money than comrades - **Alcohol Duty Review:** Scotch whisky is our national export that supports 42,000 jobs across the UK. Yet the tax on each bottle of Scotch sold in this country represents almost three quarters of its price. That is why over the past two years we have frozen the duty on spirits, cutting the price of a bottle of Scotch by 30p. Now, we want to do more for Scotland’s national drink, so we will review alcohol duty to ensure that our tax system is supporting British drink producers. pilot scheme, so that farms and - A post-Brexit deal for Scottish fishing: As outlined above, we will leave the Common Fisheries Policy, become an independent coastal state, and take back control of our waters in December 2020. - **Oil and gas sector deal:** The oil and gas industry employs over 100,000 people in Scotland. We believe that the North Sea oil and gas industry has a long future ahead and know the sector has a key role to play as we move to a net zero economy. We will support this a transformational sector deal. - Protect the Armed Forces from SNP tax rises: Income tax is devolved to Holyrood. The Scottish Government has full flexibility to change rates and bands as it wishes. In 2017, they decided to raise taxes for anyone in Scotland earning over £26,000. That was particularly unfair on 8,000 Armed would have had to pay those higher taxes. They are required to serve where their country needs them, yet may they serve alongside because they are resident in Scotland or live in a Scottish base. Over the past two years, we have paid the difference, saving Armed Forces personnel up to £2,200 each. We will now ensure that this tax mitigation is permanent – giving certainty to our troops that they will never have to pay higher taxes simply for doing their duty. - Support agriculture by expanding the seasonal workers scheme: We will quadruple the seasonal workers agricultural businesses will now be able to employ 10,000 seasonal workers under the scheme. This will ensure that soft fruit and vegetable farmers in Angus and Aberdeenshire have the workers they need next year. ## Get Brexit Sorted When the new Government entered Downing Street, the Prime Minister made a simple promise: to get Brexit done. Many said it would be impossible. But he swiftly negotiated a great new deal - despite Parliament’s best efforts to block his progress. And then, when he put it to MPs, they insisted on yet more delay. We must move on. No more renegotiations. No more referendums. Every week is costing us. Investment is waiting to come into the country. Families and businesses cannot make vital decisions. The public services cannot get the attention they deserve. Our priority as Conservatives is to get Brexit sorted - so that we can unleash the potential of this great country. So that we can push past the obstacles that other parties have put in our nation’s way. So that we can deliver on the decision of the whole country in 2016 and use our new post-Brexit freedoms to transform the UK for the better. If we elect a majority of Conservative MPs, we will start putting our deal through Parliament before Christmas and we will leave the European Union in Our deal is the only one on the table. It is signed, sealed and ready. It puts the whole country on a path to a new Free Trade Agreement with the EU. This will be a new relationship based on free trade and friendly cooperation, not on the EU’s treaties or EU law. There will be no political rights, environmental protection and alignment with the EU. We will keep the UK out of the single market, out of any form of customs union, and end the role of the European Court of Justice. A vote for any other party is a vote for a This future relationship will be one that allows us to: - Take back control of our laws. We will negotiate a trade agreement next year - one that will strengthen our Union - and we will not extend the implementation period beyond December 2020. In parallel, we will legislate to ensure the highest standards of workers’ consumer rights. The only way to get Brexit sorted is with a Conservative majority in Parliament. Jeremy Corbyn government propped up by the SNP – leading to a second independence referendum next year. January.  Take back control of our money. - Control our own trade policy. The Prime Minister’s new deal takes the - Introduce an Australian-style points- whole country out of the EU as one United based immigration system. Kingdom. It takes us out of the customs union, allowing us to set our own tariffs - Raise standards in areas like workers’ rights, animal welfare, agriculture and and do our own trade deals. It allows us to the environment. pass our own laws and ensures that it is our courts that enforce them. - Ensure we are in full control of our fishing waters. Unleash Scotland’s Potential For the past nine years, the Conservatives have been cleaning up Labour’s mess. Because of the tough decisions that our party made, the economy has continued to grow even as the public finances have been restored. Thanks to Conservative policies, employment is at a near-record high. In Scotland, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people into work, halving the unemployment rate in the process. We’ve doubled the personal allowance to £12,500, meaning that every worker gets to keep more of what they earn. We’ve raised the National Living Wage - and will raise it still further. But the strength of the UK’s balance We will keep costs down for small businesses - rather than hiking their taxes and crushing Britain’s prosperity. 2020s, but for decades to come. We will not borrow to fund day-to-day spending, but will invest thoughtfully and responsibly in infrastructure right across our country in order to increase productivity and wages. Our fiscal rules mean that public sector net investment We will invest in the infrastructure, science and research that will deliver economic growth, not just through the Above all, we will listen to the people who have felt left behind by the last few decades of economic growth and want to have more control of their future. sheet - the hard work done by all of us in will not average more than 3 per cent of We will get Brexit sorted, so we can this country - means that we are now in a GDP, and that if debt interest reaches 6 change Britain for the better.. position to invest properly in our future. per cent of revenue, we will reassess our plans to keep debt under control. A Conservative UK Government will give the public services the resources they This means that debt will be lower at need. the end of the Parliament - rather than We will help people and families throughout their lives, by bringing down the cost of living and making sure that work always pays. spiralling out of control under Labour. And we will use this investment prudently and responsibly to level up every part of the United Kingdom, while strengthening the ties that bind it together. and Buchan ## We Will Tackle Your Priorities Restoring  In policing, the UK’s first professional We pride ourselves on being a nation that Scotland’s public police force was set up in Glasgow in 1800. More recently, in the 2000s the led the world in creating high-quality, trusted public services. We still have the services Violence Reduction Unit introduced Scotland has a long history of public service innovation and excellence. - In education, Scotland was one of the first countries to have a system of free public schools which fuelled the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. For decades, we had a reputation for robust, respected education. We boasted proudly of the breadth of our school system and its democratic intellect. - The NHS might have been created across the UK in 1948. But in Scotland,  Children are travelling 200 miles for it had a predecessor: the Highland Medical Service, founded in 1913. Our medical schools exported doctors around the world for centuries. Our medics have pioneered new treatments and techniques, from Alexander Fleming to Elsie Inglis. new methods aiming to tackle violent crime and keep our streets safe. drive forward change. Yet under Nicola Sturgeon, that hard- won reputation has started to falter. We still have the best professionals in the world – but they frequently report a lack of policy direction, funding not going to right places, and a workplace culture that undermines their professional autonomy. nationalism is not an ideology built on - Schools are limiting the number of qualifications children can sit because there are not enough teachers. do not go on marches to protest for victims of crime. It is about breaking up cancer treatment because major building projects are delayed. in-tray for another day. - Violent crime has been rising for the past four years and victims feel sentencing isn’t clear and honest enough. professionals to restore that reputation: but we have lacked an ambitious Scottish Government with the vision and energy to Why is this? The simple answer is that fixing the GP crisis, expanding core subject choices, or tackling violent crime have never been Nicola Sturgeon’s priorities. Scottish improving the way our hospitals run. It is not a creed that obsesses about the best way to run schools. Its activists the United Kingdom above all else: and everything else gets relegated to the Scotland needs a better approach. That is what the Scottish Conservatives are offering. Our approach would have four crucial aspects. First, funding. The firmest foundation for investment in public services is a strong, growing economy. This is particularly the case for Scotland, where the fiscal framework rewards Scotland growing faster, relative to the rest of the UK. The spending decisions in the 2019 UK Conservative manifesto would result in significant Barnett Consequentials for Scotland’s public services: - A UK Conservative government will enshrine in law our fully funded, long-term NHS plan for England. This will be the largest cash settlement in NHS history and ensures funding increases year on year – with Barnett Consequentials for the Scottish Government of £3.3 billion between 2018 and 2023. - In England, a UK Conservative Government will invest in improving infrastructure in the North of England, restore many of the Beeching lines, and invest in superbus networks with lower fares, flat fares in urban areas, and increased frequency. It is also investing £28.8 billion in strategic and local roads. discipline and teaching standards. This would be transformational for our public services. As a result of decisions taken by a Conservative UK Government, the Scottish Government would have substantially more funding to invest in public services. This year’s Spending Round alone resulted in an additional £1.2 billion of additional investment into Scotland public services, the largest ever increase in the Scottish Government’s Block Grant. likely to be picked up if GP services are With funding secure, any shortfall or deficient use of these funds can only be as a result of decisions taken by the SNP Government. we are likely not just to improve care The second policy response is smart choice for pupils. Greater reliance on supply teachers makes it harder to achieve consistency in the classroom and increases stress and workload for any full-time staff covering gaps. Fewer teachers mean larger classes and more multi-level classes, which at the extreme can undermine So tackling teacher shortages is the key to solving many other challenges in our schools. - GP shortages create pressure on the rest of the NHS. GPs are the frontline of our health system: if patients cannot get a GP appointment, they may well to go to A&E. Many diseases are easier to treat if they are caught earlier – such as cancer – but are less under pressure. If we have more GPs, and invest in multi-disciplinary teams, such as locating physiotherapists and pharmacists within General Practice, but reduce costs too. - In his first 90 days the Prime Minister investment in staff. announced £14 billion extra funding for schools in England - an extra £150 million a week - by 2023, with a minimum of £5,000 for each secondary school pupil and £4,000 for each primary school pupil. In addition, there challenges that underpin so much else: will be £700 million of new funding to support children with special educational needs. This will result in Barnett Consequentials of £1.4 billion. - Fewer front-line local police officers Scottish Conservative MPs would work with their MSP colleagues to push the SNP Government to use this funding in the right way and invest to tackle the staffing likely. It means officers have to cover wider areas, having to work ever - Falling teacher numbers leads to other problems. Teacher shortages make it more likely a school will limit subject reduces the visibility of community policing while burdening officers with ever more responsibilities. It makes anti-social behaviour more harder to retain vital local knowledge and leading to less intelligence being gathered. All of this means that recruiting, supporting, and giving space to front- line professionals – at the point at which public services most need them - should be the priority. The third is focusing on the public’s priorities. Scotland’s public services have lacked political leadership: people feel like many services don’t even meet the most basic standards. A good local school that has enough teachers, a GP practice that can offer appointments, and a sentencing system that gives fair and transparent punishment - these are not radical proposals. They are the least the public expect from their government. But because the SNP has been distracted, even that has been too much to ask. Scottish Conservative candidates seek a mandate to deliver funding for Scotland – and keep up the pressure on the SNP to use it wisely. This would involve: - A greater focus on core skills at schools. We would refresh Curriculum for Excellence, to make sure that basic literacy and numeracy are right at the heart of a child’s education. - A renewed vocational education system. A responsive skills system a more productive economy. We would rebalance the system so that every child has to be in education, an apprenticeship or in-work training up to age 18. - Prioritising GPs. We want to see a greater share of NHS funding going to GPs, and renewed recruitment efforts to restore primary care’s place  We will keep our country safe from in the health service. and security services and give them - Honesty in sentencing, where victims see a sentence and know how long the criminal will spend in prison. We want life to mean life – with much greater transparency and say for victims over the early release and parole of the perpetrators of crime. constitutional division. Laws relating to security are reserved, due the need to tackle certain crimes across the UK. A UK Conservative Government will take action to make sure that Scots are safe in the face of changing security challenges: not be addressing the challenges in our - We will embrace new technologies and crack down on online crimes. We will create a new national cyber crime force and empower the police to safely use new technologies like biometrics and artificial intelligence, services to their rightful place as the along with the wider use of DNA, within a strict legal framework. We will also create a world-class National Let’s get our politics back to the Crime Laboratory. - We will counter the growing threat of serious and organised crime. We will strengthen the National Crime Agency so it can tackle the threats we face, from fraud, county lines gangs and child sexual abuse to illicit finance, modern slavery and people- trafficking. terrorism. We will invest in the police the powers they need to combat new threats. In the wake of the terrible events in Manchester in 2017, we will improve the safety and security of public venues. Finally, moving politics on from We oppose a second independence referendum not just because it would divide us all over again, but because if Scotland spends the foreseeable future arguing about the constitution, we will schools, hospitals and police force. We can divide the country all over again with a second independence referendum, or we can restore our public best in the world. We cannot do both. everyday issues that really matter. means people earning more and Support working Carrick & Cumnock families Since 2010, the Conservatives have helped over 1,000 people on average into work every day. That is an extraordinary figure. And it has only been possible because of the strong economy we have helped to create; our support for business; and our welfare reforms, which have encouraged more people into work. Whoever you are, we want to make it easier for you to get a good job – and to be able to combine a rewarding career with raising a family or caring for elderly or disabled relatives, rather than being forced to prioritise between them. We want to make sure that you get to keep more of the money you earn, and that we keep your bills low. And we want to make sure that those who can’t work, or have entered retirement, get the level of support they need. We have focused, over the past decade, on making sure that work always pays – particularly for those most in need of support. We have raised the minimum wage significantly and introduced and consistently raised the National Living Wage. We have doubled the personal allowance to £12,500, so that everyone gets to earn a decent amount before they are taxed. And we have made sure the state pension keeps pace with earnings. In our first months, we announced an increase in the National Living Wage to two thirds of average earnings, currently forecast at £10.50 an hour, and widened its reach to everyone over 21. That means an average pay rise of £4,000 per year for four million people by 2024. To help young people get a foot on the employment ladder, we abolished employers’ National Insurance Contributions for under-21s and apprentices under 25. Creating millions more jobs is one of the Conservatives’ proudest achievements. A Labour Government that makes it harder for businesses to grow and to hire – that allows people to sink into dependency rather than encouraging them to work and earn – could undo all of this progress. A majority Conservative Government will deliver a major package of measures designed to ensure that it always pays to work, while doing everything we can to protect and support those who cannot – and to address the cost of living pressures that we all face. - We promise not to raise the rates of National Insurance or VAT. This is a tax guarantee that will protect the incomes of hard-working families across this Parliament. - We not only want to freeze taxes, but to cut them too. We will raise the National Insurance threshold to £9,500 next year - the largest increase ever, representing a tax cut for 32 million workers. Our ultimate ambition is to ensure that the first £12,500 you earn is completely free of tax - which would put almost £500 in people’s pockets. everyone who can work, should work - - For many families, energy costs are a major source of financial pressure. We will keep our existing energy cap and introduce new measures to lower bills. We will also give the Competition and Markets Authority enhanced powers to tackle consumer rip-offs and bad business practices. work. We have already acted to - On entering Government in 2010, the Conservatives acted decisively to protect the UK’s pensioners. The ‘triple lock’ we introduced has meant that those who have worked hard and put in for decades can be confident that the state will be there to support them when they need it. We will keep the triple lock, the winter fuel payment, the older person’s bus pass and other pensioner benefits, ensuring that older people have the security and dignity they deserve. We recognise the value of free TV licences for over-75s and believe they should be funded by the BBC. - A number of workers, disproportionately women, who earn between £10,000 and £12,500 have been missing out on pension benefits because of a loophole affecting people with net pay pension schemes. We will conduct a comprehensive review to look at how to fix this issue. - We will use our freedom from the EU to improve the UK’s tax regime - not least by abolishing the tampon tax. - We as Conservatives believe that and that it should always pay them to do so. But we also believe that those who truly can’t work must be given the help they need. That is why we will continue the roll-out of Universal Credit, which combines multiple benefits into one while building a clearer pathway from welfare into increase work allowances, a move worth £630 to working families with children and those with disabilities, and we will do more to make sure that Universal Credit works for the most vulnerable. We will also end the benefit freeze, while making sure it pays to work more hours. - At the same time, we will make sure those who cheat the system by committing benefit fraud are punished. There is no excuse for exploiting others who have worked hard and paid in. - To help those looking after family members, especially women, we will support the main carer in any household receiving the Universal Credit payment. And we will continue our efforts through the tax and benefits system to reduce poverty, including child poverty. Children should grow up in an environment Our Australian- citizens equally. Regardless of style points-based - We will treat EU and non-EU whether they are from Europe with no limits to their potential – which is one of the reasons we are making it a priority to put more money in the pockets of low-paid workers. - We will also extend the entitlement to leave for unpaid carers, the majority of whom are women, and ensure their pension is protected. - As part of our efforts to support the most vulnerable, we will take measures to empower and support disabled people. In particular we will reduce the number of reassessments a disabled person must go through system We will prioritise people who: - Have a good grasp of English - We want EU citizens who came to - Have been law-abiding citizens in their own countries and we have committed absolutely - Have good education and qualifications a welcomed and valued part of Most people coming into the country will need a clear job offer. In addition: the EU Settlement Scheme. - We will not allow serious criminals into the country. If people abuse our hospitality, we will remove them as quickly as possible. or another part of the world, we welcome people who meet our criteria. live in the UK before Brexit to stay – to guaranteeing their existing rights and ensuring that they feel our country and community after Brexit. That is why we introduced when a significant change in condition is unlikely - because you should not have to provide - We will keep track of who is coming in and out of our country. repeated proof of your disability. We will publish a National Strategy for Disabled People before the end of 2020. This will look at ways to improve the benefits system, as opportunities and access for disabled people in terms of housing, education, transport and jobs. It will include our existing commitments to - We will overhaul the current immigration system, and make it more fair and compassionate – what happened to the Windrush generation was horrific and we will ensure it never happens again. We are committed to the Windrush compensation scheme. increase SEND funding and support pupils, students and adults to get careers advice, internships, and transition into work. We will look to work with the Scottish Government on this Strategy, as we reduce the disability employment gap. Chancellor of the Exchequer Home Secretary An immigration system that works for Scotland and they come from. Migrants will contribute to the NHS – and pay in before they can receive benefits. Our new system gives us real control standard, and who have good working English, will be offered fast- track entry, reduced visa fees and dedicated support to come to the UK with their families. the UK over who is coming in and out. It allows The Scottish Conservatives believe in a UK-wide immigration system that works for every part of our country. The SNP’s plan of a devolved immigration system for Scotland would simply not work and is tied to their obsession with breaking up the UK. It would lead to a border at Berwick and undermine the UK internal market. Even under freedom of movement, rural and remote Scotland faced demographic challenges – so there are big differences within Scotland, and no easy solution. Our MPs’ priority will be to push for a system that reflects the needs of the places that need migration most – in particular, remote and rural communities, the best and brightest, with special and the sectors that are most reliant on migrant labour and where there is no domestic workforce available. That is why a majority Conservative Government will get Brexit sorted, and then introduce a firmer and fairer Australian-style points-based immigration system, so that we can decide who comes to this country on the basis of the skills they have and the contribution they can make – not where us to attract the best and brightest from  We will actively recruit leaders in all over the world. small number of the best technology Only by establishing immigration controls and ending freedom of movement will we be able to attract the high-skilled workers we need to contribute to our economy, our communities and our public services. There will be fewer lower-skilled migrants and overall numbers will come down. And we will ensure that the British  Our student visa will help universities people are always in control. allow those students to stay on Attracting the best and brightest - Our start-up visa, alongside our new We want the UK to be a magnet for will ensure that we can attract the immigration routes for those that will make the biggest contribution. We will create bespoke visa schemes for new migrants who will fill shortages in our public services, build the companies and innovations of the future, and benefit Britain for years to come: We want our party, and our - The NHS Visa. Qualified doctors, nurses and allied health professionals with a job offer from the NHS, who have been trained to a recognised their field to come to the UK. The and science graduates from the top universities in the world and those who win top scientific prizes will be offered fast-track entry to the UK - these people can do more than any others to drive scientific progress and help our NHS and our economy. attract talented young people and to apply for work here after they graduate. rules for those of exceptional talent, entrepreneurs of the future who want to start great businesses here in the UK. Integration and openness Government, to represent modern Britain - a diverse and tolerant country with confidence in its own identity and values. We believe Contributing to our country New arrivals almost always pay the taxes that support our vital services. immigration and we will always But we believe, as is true in other countries, that it is only fair for people to pay into the system for a significant period of time before they can access welfare. For this reason: - People coming into the country the enduring beliefs that unite us are far more important than our differences. Our society has been enriched by UK and overseas. recognise the contribution of those who have helped build our businesses, public services, culture and communities. recognised. We will maintain our We will ensure no matter where in the world you or your family come from, your rights will be respected and you will be treated with fairness and dignity. and support to refugees fleeing persecution. - We will champion freedom of expression and tolerance, both in the - We will ensure that the historic contribution of migrant groups is support for a memorial recognising the contribution of the Windrush Generation in a prominent site in London. from the EU will only be able to access unemployment, housing, We will tackle prejudice, racism and and child benefit after five years, discrimination and do more to address in the way non-EEA migrants currently do. - We will no longer allow people to claim child benefit for children living overseas. the complex reasons why some groups do less well at school, earn less at work, or are more likely to be victims of crime. We will act to improve the lives of all and reject the politics of division. Our priority is to focus on practical solutions that make a real difference to people’s lives. - We will require new arrivals to contribute to the funding of the NHS and will increase the health surcharge to ensure it covers the full cost of use, while clamping - We will boost English language teaching to empower new migrants and help promote integration into society. down on health tourism. However, we will continue to offer free emergency care. - We will improve the quality of evidence and data within Government about the types of barriers different groups face, ensuring that fairness is at the heart of everything we do. - We will continue to grant asylum We Will Unleash Scotland’s Potential Getting Brexit done allows us to focus on making this the best possible place to live and work – to use our post-Brexit freedoms to build prosperity and strengthen and level up every part of the country. Because it is not just Scotland’s potential that we want to unleash, but that of the Scottish people. Our plan means making sure people have access to world-class public services, that they feel safe on the streets, that working families get to keep more of their own money, and that we help with cost of living pressures. But it also means making sure that we share prosperity across the country, addressing the longstanding economic challenges in parts of the country. We will invest responsibly and prudently in the infrastructure that can make a difference and ensure communities in every corner of the United Kingdom are pleasant, safe and prosperous. And we will invest far more in helping Investing in people, restoring the fabric We stand for working people, those of our towns and cities, supporting our great science and industries, strengthening the great Union between the United Kingdom’s four nations - that is how we will unleash our country’s full potential. time to help others - the charities, We are the only party that can deliver this programme, because we are the only party that understands the symmetry at the heart of the UK economy. That the only way to fund world-class public services, training for is a great country - the greatest place everyone and outstanding infrastructure is to encourage the millions of British businesses that create the wealth of doing their best to provide for their families, those risking their savings on a new idea, those challenging existing markets. Their success is our success. And we stand for those who give their volunteers and philanthropists who already do so much to make our country a better place. We believe, in other words, that Britain on earth. But together, we can make it greater still. workers train and retrain for the jobs and the nation - especially small businesses, industries of the future. family firms and the self-employed. Supporting local communities It is our strong ambition to bring full fibre and gigabit-capable broadband to every home by 2025 across the whole of the UK. We know how difficult it will be, so we have announced a raft basic rights to access banking, to be placed into law. We will campaign for better procedures around ATM closures, and push the UK Government to explore imaginative solutions, such as community banking hubs, or better use of the Post Office network. Shared Prosperity Fund, to ensure - new hospitals, new schools, the refurbishment of the Houses of Parliament, big transport projects and so on, being built with pride by British workers. We have already announced a UK of legislative changes to accelerate progress and £5 billion of new public funding to pay for premises which are not commercially viable. This will be hugely beneficial for Scottish communities who have been told that it is not commercially viable to roll out broadband to their homes. Meanwhile, the SNP Government’s R100 Scheme continues to be delayed Invest in Scotland’s people part of the billions of pounds we were The 2020s will see a transformation in jobs. Automation and computing will change how businesses function. Our plan to deliver clean energy and a carbon-neutral future means new kinds of jobs in new industries. And our departure from the European that no part of the UK loses out from the withdrawal of EU funding (which was, of course, only a small contributing), and to replace the EU programme with one better tailored to our economy. We will ensure that £500 million of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is used to give disadvantaged people the skills they need to make a success of life. and it is on track to fail its 2021 targets. Union means we can tailor our The number of bank branches has dropped across the UK. But Scotland regulations to ensure that we are first in line to develop and benefit from the technologies of the future. has been particularly affected: over the past nine years, RBS has reduced its branch network by 70 per cent, Clydesdale by 53 per cent, and Santander by 42 per cent. According to Which?, there are 130 “cash deserts” in Scotland where communities have no access to a bank branch or ATM within a reasonable distance. This requires a dramatic rebooting of our training system - to support public services, existing businesses and the businesses of the future. But above all, to ensure that Britain’s workers have the skills they need to flourish - and that every citizen of this country has the opportunity to express their talents to the fullest. Scottish Conservative MPs will continue to campaign for rural communities’ access to cash and local banking services. We want the Access to Banking Standard, which guarantees We will make it a requirement for apprentices to be hired for all new big infrastructure delivered through UK Government contracts Help make Scotland the best place to start and run a business We want Britain to be the best country in the world to start and run a business - a place where entrepreneurs know they can build on their ideas and find success. Not only because businesses are good for society – creating the jobs that put family businesses are the backbone bread on the table, and generating the tax revenue that funds our vital public services. It’s because we believe that we should do everything we can to support those who want to start their own company, strike out on their own, have an idea that grows into a world- leading business. Because our mission as Conservatives is to give everyone, across the UK, the opportunity to fulfil hostility towards aspiration and their potential. We have many strengths. We are a highly competitive economy with a new companies than anywhere on the Continent - especially in the technology sector. In areas such as tech, financial services, law and the creative industries we lead the world - and will continue to do so after Brexit. broadband. And by cutting corporation tax from 28 per cent to 19 per cent, we have encouraged more businesses to invest and grow in the UK. - We will increase the Employment Of the nearly six million businesses in this country, the vast majority are small and medium sized. Small and - We will support start-ups and of the economy and Britain is immeasurably stronger for their contribution. Once we get Brexit sorted, we can use our new freedoms to ensure that Britain’s businesses can unleash their enormous potential – that they can invest, hire, export and grow, rather than being crushed by Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell’s inexorable which have particularly benefited entrepreneurship. Driving down costs businesses with over £7 billion Our plan to upgrade infrastructure will make it easier for businesses to operate – to move goods about the country and to connect to customers around the world via gigabit But we also want to tackle the other everyday obstacles that they face. Allowance for small businesses - a tax cut for half a million small firms. small businesses via government procurement, and commit to paying them on time. We will also clamp down on late payment more broadly, not least by strengthening the powers of the Small Business Commissioner to support small businesses that are exploited by their larger partners. - We will expand start-up loans, women and BAME entrepreneurs. The British Business Bank has supported 90,000 smaller strong education system and well- respected regulatory framework. We and supporting small businesses in investment or loans, and will continue to grow. have more world-class universities than the rest of Europe combined. We are a magnet for talent, and home to more innovative and successful We understand the challenge of increasing running costs, especially for smaller firms, and are committed to reducing them. - Good regulation is essential to successful businesses: we will strive to achieve the right regulatory balance between supporting excellent business practice and protecting workers, consumers and the environment. Through our Red Tape Challenge, we scale-ups. We have more ‘unicorns’ – new billion-dollar tech companies – than any other nation in Europe. the tax system easier to navigate, and examining how better broadband can boost home-working. will ensure that regulation is sensible and proportionate, and that we always We are proud of the work we have Building a fairer consider the needs of small businesses done to support entrepreneurship when devising new rules, using our new freedom after Brexit to ensure that British rules work for British companies Of course, supporting enterprise is not just about championing businesses - more people than ever are moving into self-employment, especially women. We will therefore launch a review to explore how we can better support the self-employed. That includes improving their access to finance and credit (not least mortgages), entitlement to parental and carer’s leave, and making the tax system easier to navigate. and want to see more entrepreneurs, including women and those from BAME backgrounds. Some of our work has been spectacularly successful – such as the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme, which we will continue in the next Parliament. cent of income taxpayers pay over 29 Some measures have worked, but need to go further – as with R&D tax credits. at any time under the last Labour We will increase the tax credit rate to 13 per cent and review the definition of R&D so that important investments in cloud computing and data, which boost productivity and innovation, are also incentivised. taxation system Conservatives believe in a corporate tax system which rewards entrepreneurship and punishes evasion. We will always be whole- heartedly on the side of business, while making sure everyone pays their fair share of tax. Already, the top 1 per per cent of income tax– higher than Government. We will continue to build on this to tackle tax evasion and reduce opportunities for aggressive tax avoidance. Backing entrepreneurs and innovation Every day, people risk their savings and their future by becoming entrepreneurs. They invent the new goods and services that improve our lives. From decarbonisation to expanding the frontiers of artificial intelligence, they are tackling some of the great challenges of our time. We want to be a nation of start-ups, and of successful We also have to recognise that some measures haven’t had exactly the impact we hoped, so we will review and reform Entrepreneurs’ Relief. £24 billion in the last year alone. We Of course, supporting enterprise is not just about championing businesses – more people than ever are moving into self-employment, especially women. We will therefore launch a review to explore how we can better support the self-employed. That includes improving their access to finance and credit (not least mortgages), making Since 2010, we have introduced more than 100 anti-avoidance measures and secured more than £200 billion which would otherwise have gone unpaid – have led the international fight against aggressive tax avoidance and offshore tax havens, rewriting global rules to ensure tax is paid where profit is made. This has included committing 100 jurisdictions to ending bank secrecy. But we can go further still. The gap between the amount of tax that should be paid and is actually collected stands at £35 billion – still too high. Hard-working families and businesses who do pay their fair share should know that we will not permit evasion to go unchecked. So we will set out a new anti-tax avoidance and evasion law. This will: - Double the maximum prison term to 14 years for individuals convicted of the most egregious examples of tax fraud. - Create a single, beefed-up Anti-Tax Evasion unit in HMRC that covers While always backing entrepreneurs that choose to make the UK the place to invest and set up a business, we will workplace take further action to redesign the tax system so that it boosts growth, wages and investment and limits arbitrary tax advantages for the wealthiest in society. We are also strengthening the UK’s corporate governance regime, and will reform insolvency rules and the audit regime so that customers and suppliers – and UK taxpayers – are better protected when firms like Thomas Cook go into administration. Fairness in the As well as making Britain the best place to start a business, and the best place to learn and develop your skills, we want to make the UK the best place in the world to work. The increase in employment that the Conservative Government has overseen since 2010 is proof that there is no contradiction between high employment and high standards – between dynamic growth and protecting all duties and taxes, from individual We will also carefully study the results employees from unfair policies and errors to deliberate non compliance – which is put on a legislative footing. of the ongoing investigation into its collapse. We will improve incentives to attack the problem of excessive executive pay and rewards for failure. discriminatory treatment. Over the last year, for example, unemployment has continued to fall, even as average real wages have increased. - Consolidate existing anti-evasion and avoidance measures and powers. - Introduce a new package of anti-evasion measures, including measures to end tax abuse in the construction sector, crack down on illicit tobacco packaging and further measures to tackle profit-shifting by multinational companies to avoid paying taxes. Major multinational companies should We will reintroduce legislation that protects pension pots from being plundered by reckless bosses, helps savers be better informed with pension dashboards, and create a new style of pension scheme which is more sustainable for workers and employers. balance between the flexibility that the economy needs and the security that employees deserve, introducing new protections for workers while preserving drive our shared prosperity. We have raised the personal income tax allowance, increased the minimum wage and introduced and consistently raised the National Living Wage to ensure that people get to keep more of what they earn and that work always pays. And we have struck the right the dynamism and job creation that pay their fair share of tax. As part of our approach, we will implement the Digital Services Tax. Once we have got Brexit sorted, we will go further. Because people cannot fulfil Secretary of State for Scotland their potential if they do not have jobs that treat them with dignity and respect, and if they are not in control of their lives and their futures. As Conservatives we will always prioritise the principle of fairness in the workplace, whether it is in the job application process, ensuring equal pay for equal work, or people’s working conditions. We will therefore build on our existing employment law with new measures that protect everyone, especially those in low-paid work: - We will create a single enforcement body and crack down on any employer abusing employment law, whether by taking workers’ tips or refusing them sick pay. - We will ensure that workers have the right to request a more predictable contract and other reasonable protections. We also want to look at more radical ways to support working families in the UK. Our lifestyles have been transformed over the last four decades – many families today have two working parents who are juggling work and other responsibilities. They have to stretch themselves daily to care for children, elderly relatives and those with disabilities. For women, who still tend to be the main carers in households, this can have a big impact on their careers and limit their participation in the workplace. care, to support those new mothers But while the modern workplace is adapting as a result, we can do more as a Government to make things easier, learning from sensible approaches adopted in other countries. We will therefore introduce a raft of measures that balance the needs of employees and employers: - We will encourage flexible working and consult on making it the default unless employers have good reasons not to. - We have reformed redundancy law so companies cannot discriminate against women immediately after returning from maternity leave. - We will legislate to allow parents to take extended leave for neonatal and fathers who need it during the most vulnerable and stressful days Places we of their lives. want And we to liveUnleash will look at ways to make it easier for fathers to take paternity leave. - We will extend the entitlement to leave for unpaid carers, the majority of whom are women, to a week. - We will continue to ensure that we update Britain’s employment rules to reflect the needs of modern families and modern workplaces. Our vision for the labour market, in other words, is not one where the state does everything for you. It is one where the state does everything it can to help you help yourself – by upgrading your skills, or by being able to balance work in innovation The UK has a proud record of innovation and discovery. We are the country that gave the world penicillin, the World Wide Web, the theories of gravity and evolution, that unravelled the structure of DNA. Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Aberdeen are regularly accounted among the best universities in the world. - We will focus our efforts on areas That spirit of discovery is still alive in this country today. But we have not always turned our genius for innovation into jobs and companies here in Britain. EU regulations have spending, including in basic science research to meet our target of 2.4 per cent of GDP being spent on R&D across the economy. Some of this new spending will go to a new agency for high-risk, high-payoff research, at arm’s length from government. We will continue to support our outstanding science sector as we leave the EU. Unlike Corbyn’s Labour, we will not spend blindly and wastefully. where the UK can generate a commanding lead in the industries of the future - life sciences, energy, space, design, computing, robotics and AI. and family life. It is one in which a deep been another barrier to innovation. commitment to entrepreneurship and business is matched by a desire to ensure that the jobs that are created are highly skilled, well-paid and fulfilling. - In particular, we will make the We need to use science and research to unite and level up our country, giving people opportunity and hope. - We will use our £1 billion Ayrton Once we have got Brexit sorted, we will turn our attention to the great challenges of the future such as clean energy and advanced energy storage; a cure for dementia; and solving antibiotic resistance. To do this we will  We will use our increased R&D make an unprecedented investment in science so we can strengthen research and build the foundations for the new industries of tomorrow. We are committing to the fastest ever increase in domestic public R&D UK the leading global hub for life sciences after Brexit. Fund to develop affordable and accessible clean energy. That will improve lives and help us to lead the world in tackling climate change. funding from government to attract and kickstart private investment. - We will support international collaboration and exchange and ensure we can get the skills and talent we need from abroad. - We will reform the science funding system to cut the time wasted by scientists filling in forms. - We will unlock long-term capital in pension funds to invest in and commercialise our scientific discoveries, creating a vibrant science-based economy post- Brexit. - We will continue to collaborate internationally and with the EU on scientific research, including Horizon. These unprecedented increases to the science budget will be used to to come together to inspire the next generation in British innovation and creativity. We will invest in world-class computing and data systems that can aid research, such as the ground- breaking genetic sequencing carried out at the UK Biobank, Genomics England and the new Accelerating the Detection of Disease project, which has the potential to transform diagnosis and treatment. leading standards to which they were We will use UK Government procurement to support new ideas and new companies. and abroad, to be queuing up to across the country by 2025, with £5 billion in funding already promised, and provide greater mobile coverage across the country. Just as in the wider economy we can combine strong employment growth with high employment standards, so we believe that Scottish farmers and fishermen should continue to profit by producing food and fish that are the envy of the world - both for their quality and the world- produced. We want people, both at home drive forward the development of technologies of critical importance to the UK, by investing in clusters Support rural life and coastal buy Scottish. And one of the great opportunities of Brexit is the chance to lead the world in the quality around world-leading universities and spreading knowledge. communities of our food, agriculture and land management - driven by science-led, evidence-based policy. But it isn’t just about laboratory work. Even as the UK forges ahead in the The UK is at its best when it allies its extraordinary design and artistic abilities with science and technology. The UK is at its best when it allies its economy. extraordinary design and artistic abilities with science and technology. The Festival of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 2022 – a national celebration which coincides with the Birmingham Commonwealth Games will encourage our leading arts and future, we must not forget those communities that have not shared fully in the growth generated by our countryside and oceans as they have for generations. This Government is committed to levelling up all parts of the economy - and getting Brexit done will enable us to give new support to people in rural and coastal communities, and for our farming and fishing industries. And we want those same farmers and fishermen to act as the stewards of the natural world, preserving the UK’s cultural organisations, universities, research institutes and businesses We want to roll out gigabit broadband A post-Brexit deal for farming and crofting - Once we have got Brexit done, we will free our farmers and crofters from the bureaucratic Common Agricultural Policy. A post-Brexit deal for fisheries - Upon leaving the EU, we will leave the Common Fisheries Policy, becoming an independent coastal state and taking back control of our waters in December 2020. Protect our democracy As Conservatives, we stand for democracy and the rule of law. Our independent courts and legal system are respected throughout the world. - We will guarantee the current annual budget to farmers in every year of the next Parliament. - In England, the new system will pay farmers for environmental stewardship - We will maintain funding for fisheries One of the strengths of the UK’s across the UK’s nations throughout the Parliament and support the regeneration of our coastal communities constitution is its ability to evolve - as times have changed, so have Parliament, government and the judiciary. including air and water quality, soil health, animal welfare, public access to the countryside and action to reduce the risks of floods, which can prove so devastating to communities across the country. It is for the Scottish Government to design a system for Scotland. We will urge the Scottish Government to adopt proposals along similar principles, taking into account Scotland’s unique geography and heritage, in particular recognising that much of Scottish farmland is categorised as “less favourable”. - When we leave the EU, we will be able to encourage the public sector to ‘Buy British’ by default to support our farmers and reduce environmental costs. - We will increase the annual quota for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme we are piloting from 2,500 to - There will be a legal commitment to fish sustainably and a legal requirement for a plan to achieve maximum sustainable yield for each stock. people in the 2016 referendum - has opened up a destabilising and potentially extremely damaging rift between politicians and people. If the Brexit chaos continues, with a second EU referendum and a second independence referendum too, they will lose faith even further. It is only by getting Brexit sorted that we can start the painful task of restoring public trust in government and politics: - We will get rid of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act - it has led to paralysis at a time the country Today, that need is greater than ever. The failure of the UK Parliament to deliver Brexit - the way so many MPs have devoted themselves to thwarting the democratic decision of the British 10,000. needed decisive action. - We will ensure we have updated and equal Parliamentary boundaries, making sure that every vote counts the same - a cornerstone of democracy. - We will continue to support the First Past the Post system of voting for UK elections. - We will protect the integrity of our democracy, though introducing identification to vote at polling stations for UK elections, stopping postal vote harvesting and measures to prevent any future foreign interference in elections. - We will make it easier for British expats to vote in Parliamentary elections and get rid of the arbitrary we will be free to craft legislation - To support free speech, we will repeal section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2014, which seeks to coerce the press. We will not proceed with the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry. between the rights of individuals, our - We will ensure redundancy payments in the reserved public sector can be clawed back when high-paid public servants move between jobs. it is not abused to conduct politics by - We will improve the use of data, data science and evidence in the process of government. Commission that will examine these Once we get Brexit done, Britain will take back control of its laws. As we end the supremacy of European law, operates. ordinary people. The ability of our security services to defend us against terrorism and organised crime is critical. We will update the Human Rights Act and administrative law to ensure that there is a proper balance vital national security and effective government. We will ensure that judicial review is available to protect the rights of the individuals against an overbearing state, while ensuring that another means or to create needless delays. In our first year we will set up a Constitution, Democracy & Rights issues in depth, and come up with proposals to restore trust in our institutions and in how our democracy 15-year limit on their voting rights. and regulations that maintain high - We will continue to maintain the voting age at 18 for UK-wide elections. standards but which work best for the UK. We want a balance of rights, rules and entitlements that benefits all the people and all the parts of our United Kingdom. - We will ensure that no one is put off from engaging in politics or standing in an election by threats, harassment or abuse, whether in person or online. - We will champion freedom of expression and tolerance, both in After Brexit we also need to look at the broader aspects of our constitution: the relationship between the UK Government, UK Parliament and the courts; the functioning of the Royal Prerogative; the role of the House of Lords; and access to justice for the UK and overseas. ## We Will Strengthen Scotland In The World As Conservatives, we are immensely proud of the UK’s history and its standing in the world. Unlike those currently leading the Labour Party, we view our country as a force for good. The strength of the Armed Forces, our alliances with like-minded democracies and our willingness to act are all reasons for the UK to hold its head high. So too is our work in promoting international development and fighting climate change - both issues on which the Conservative Party and Conservative Governments have driven the agenda forward. After Brexit, we will bolster the alliances and institutions that help project our influence and keep us safe: the UN and the UN Security Council; NATO; Five Eyes; the Commonwealth; the G20; G7; As we extend our diplomatic network, we will reinvigorate relationships with Europe and seek to strengthen old and new partnerships across the world. We will work with our cultural institutions like investing in the Supporting our veterans and and the World Trade Organisation. We will open new markets and support free trade and global growth. We will build on our fantastic track record stability of Europe, or commit cold- the BBC and British Council to expand our influence and project our values. And unlike Jeremy Corbyn, we will stand up to foreign countries that threaten the forces men and women of today’s armed of delivering major international sporting blooded murder on British soil. events – including supporting the upcoming Commonwealth Games, UEFA European Women’s Championships and Rugby League World Cup – and we would back a potential UK and Ireland bid for The security of our nation comes first. We will protect the British people at home and abroad, and ensure the democratic rights of people in Gibraltar, the Falklands and all our overseas territories. the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Supporting our veterans A Conservative Government understands the sacrifices made by Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families. That is why we will introduce new legislation to tackle the vexatious legal  We will modernise the equipment claims that undermine our Armed Forces and further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law. We will continue to acknowledge and commemorate the invaluable contribution of diaspora communities in previous armed conflicts. We also recognise the contribution in the present day of so many from beyond these shores, such as the Gurkhas. In addition, we will bring in a range of measures to support former and current Service personnel. - We will reduce National Insurance contributions for employers if they employ ex-Service personnel - We will offer wraparound childcare - We will continue to exceed the NATO target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence and increase the budget by at least 0.5 per cent above inflation every year of the new From helping to end the slave trade to Parliament. long been a beacon of freedom and human rights – and will continue to be and improve the capability of our world-class Armed Forces and intelligence agencies. - We will invest in training and equipping our Armed Forces, and constantly champion their exemplary contribution to our security and our country. such as Cyprus, Sri Lanka and the - We will maintain our Trident nuclear deterrent, which guarantees our security. Once we leave the EU, we will be able - We will adapt to new threats, investing more in cybersecurity and setting up the UK’s first Space Command. independent Magnitsky-style - We will stand against terrorism and extremism around the world. Promote our values tackling modern slavery, the UK has so. We are proud of our peace-building and humanitarian efforts around the world, particularly in war-torn or divided societies, and of our record in helping to reduce global poverty. We will continue to support international initiatives to achieve reconciliation, stability and justice across the world, and in current or former conflict zones Middle East, where we maintain our support for a two-state solution. to champion these values even more strongly. - We will further develop an sanctions regime to tackle human rights abusers head on. for Forces families. - We have established a new Office for Veterans’ Affairs and we will introduce a Veterans’ Railcard. - We will offer a guaranteed job interview for veterans for any reserved public sector role they apply - We will support the UK’s world- class defence industry by investing in ambitious global programmes, including building the new Type 31 frigates in British shipyards Rosyth and a new generation of armoured vehicles, made in Britain. trafficking and the scourge of - We will stand up for the rights and opportunities of women and girls to be educated and safe. - We will continue our campaigns to promote international media freedom and to eradicate human for. modern slavery. - We will support marginalised communities in the developing world, hosting the UK government’s first ever international LGBT conference. We will seek to protect those persecuted for their faith and implement the Truro Review recommendations. - We will proudly maintain our commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of GNI on development and do more to help countries receiving aid and deliver ever more electricity at to become self-sufficient. - Building on this Government’s existing efforts, we will end the preventable deaths of mothers, new-born babies and children by 2030, and lead the way in But today, the climate emergency means that the challenges we face stretch far beyond our borders. Fund to help protect our oceans Thanks to the efforts of successive Governments, the UK has cut carbon emissions by more than any similar developed country. We are now the world’s leader in offshore wind - a fantastic success story of Government and the private sector working hand in hand to cut costs - We will continue to lead the world plummeting costs. Unlike Jeremy Corbyn, we don’t believe that free markets, innovation and prosperity are destroying the planet. We believe that they are what will save it. and protect vital landscapes and wildlife corridors. We will establish a new £500 million Blue Planet from plastic pollution, warming sea temperatures and overfishing, and extend the Blue Belt programme to preserve the maritime environment. We will continue to lead diplomatic efforts to protect 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030. in tackling plastics pollution, both in the UK and internationally. We will ban the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries, consulting with industry, NGOs and local councils on the date by which this should be achieved. eradicating Ebola and malaria. - We will support the construction of the planned UK Holocaust Memorial. Fight climate change and protect our planet Conservation is, and always has been, at the heart of Conservatism. Our Government’s stewardship of the natural environment, its focus on protecting the countryside and Yet we recognise that there is far more that needs to be done. decarbonisation schemes, electric - We will lead the global fight against vehicle infrastructure including climate change by delivering on our world-leading target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as advised by the independent Committee on Climate Change. We have doubled International Climate Finance. And we will use our position hosting the UN Climate Change Summit in Glasgow in 2020 to ask our global partners to match our ambition. farms. Our first UK Budget will prioritise the environment: investing in R&D, a national plug-in network and gigafactory, and clean energy. In the next decade, we will work with the market to deliver two million new high quality jobs in clean growth. We have ambitious targets: - Our world-leading offshore wind industry will reach 40GW by 2030, and we will enable new floating wind reducing plastic waste, is a source of  We will set up new international immense pride. partnerships to tackle deforestation - We will build the first fully deployed carbon capture storage cluster by 2025. - We will support gas for hydrogen production and nuclear energy, including fusion, as important parts of the energy system, alongside increasing our commitment to renewables. Increase trade and prosperity For the first time in nearly half a century, the UK will have its own independent trade policy once we leave the EU. Free trade has been proven time and again to be the best way to increase exports, cut prices for consumers, increase investment and create jobs right here in the UK. We believe we can use this historic opportunity to connect the UK to the world’s fastest- growing nations, create new export opportunities and enrich ourselves and our trading partners. As part of the EU, we were forced into accepting trade deals that put their priorities first. Now, we will be able to tailor our trade deals to the needs of British firms and the British economy. Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State Our trade deals will not only be free but fair – in particular towards the developing nations whose economies could be transformed by access to the UK’s markets and expertise. We We will create ten freeports around the UK, benefiting some of our most deprived communities, and redouble our efforts to promote British business and UK exports. We In our trade talks, we will follow the following principles: can, for example, include provisions in will dismantle barriers to trade and  We will seek to provide security our new free trade agreements that promote the fair treatment of workers and advance women’s empowerment. Our goals for British trade are ambitious. We aim to have 80 per cent of UK trade covered by free trade retake our seat at the World Trade Organisation. tariffs. We will also build on our fantastic track record of delivering major sporting events and work towards a potential World Cup bid. to the British people in a world of heightened trade tensions and - We will seek to gain market access for British businesses and lower the cost of trade for them. agreements within the next three years, starting with the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. These will be negotiated in parallel with our EU deal. We will also forge stronger links with - We will drive a hard bargain with all of our trading partners – and, as with all negotiations, we will be the national interest. prepared to walk away if that is in the Commonwealth, which boasts some of the world’s most dynamic economies such as India. We will use export finance to increase our businesses’ access to emerging - We will defend British industries from dumping and other anti- competitive practices from overseas. markets, especially where there is a diaspora community in the UK. The UK is a world leader in many areas such as architecture, engineering, - In all of our trade negotiations, we environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards. will not compromise on our high accountancy, information technology, digital services and law. Just as we led the way in opening up trade in manufactured goods in the last two centuries, we should open up trade in services, in which the majority of us - The NHS is not on the table. The price the NHS pays for drugs is not on the table. The services the NHS provides are not on the table. work and where most new jobs will be created. ## We Will Put You First Stopping a second independence referendum. Getting Brexit sorted. Strengthening the Union, Delivering for Scotland. The future is there for us to grasp. Not a future in which we endlessly We need to get Brexit sorted so that Scotland can finally move on from a refight the battles of the independence decade of stagnation, uncertainty and or EU referendums. Or in which a Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon division. So that we can finally move forward together as one nation. government rejects everything that has made the UK great. A future in which we get Brexit sorted, and then move on to focus A vote for any other party or candidate, is a vote to strengthen Nicola Sturgeon’s hand by electing more SNP MPs, leading to a second independence referendum on our priorities - which are also your in less than 12 months’ time and a priorities. Because more important than any one commitment in this manifesto is the Corbyn-Sturgeon UK Government. That is why we ask you to vote Scottish Conservative and Unionist spirit in which we make them. Our job is on December 12th, to take another to serve you, the people. To uphold and independence referendum off the respect the decision you made in 2014 to keep our United Kingdom together. table for good and to finally get Brexit sorted. But then to move on to making Scotland an even better nation - to our politics Scotland has had enough of division. getting back to the issues that really It is time to move on. matter: schools, hospitals and jobs. SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY www.scottishconservatives.com