Sturgeon to make her own 'vow'

Nicola Sturgeon will today launch the SNP manifesto, with the release of a poster featuring the FM and a caption, “My vow is to make Scotland stronger at Westminster”, in reference to the Vow on further powers made by Better Together in the closing days of the referendum campaign.

The manifesto will reiterate the party’s support for 0.5 per cent spending, as well as plans to vote on ‘English only’ issues such as a repeal of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act.

It will also include a pledge to cancel the renewal of Trident, which it says would save around £3bn per year across the UK.

SNP deputy leader Stewart Hosie yesterday suggested the party would could vote down military spending plans if they included funding for Trident renewal.

The new SNP campaign image, featuring Sturgeon’s ‘vow’, appear on 400 outdoor posters, as well as on 2.4m postcards to be distributed across Scotland.

The Party released a statement, saying: “This will be a manifesto for delivery UK-wide, with our alternative to cuts its centre-piece. For perhaps the first time, the SNP have proved our complete relevance to a Westminster General Election - not least with Nicola Sturgeon's hugely impressive performances in the TV debates. And if we earn people's trust in May 7, we can be in a decisive position to help deliver a bolder programme than Labour on their own are willing to. Being a strong voice for Scotland and a progressive force in UK politics are two sides of the same coin.

“Our message on Monday is that if people vote SNP they get SNP - and more importantly they get policies at Westminster on the economy, health, Trident and across all areas that deliver real change and real progress.”