Last Tuesday, Kenneth Clarke delivered his last budget speech before the General Election.On Wednesday we heard Gordon Brown's response from New Labour. Their message was identical -both Labour and the Tories are offering London Budgets to woo Middle England. Scotland isleft out in the cold. At least Kenneth Clarke is consistent - all of his Budgets have beenanti-Scottish. Whether it is VAT on fuel, Scottish spending cuts or inappropriate interestrate rises, his measures have damaged the Scottish economy.

In one breath last Tuesday, the Chancellor boasted about a spending boom on London'stransport. In the next breath he slashed Scottish spending which will lead to huge cuts inessential services. Coupled to increases in the cost of petrol, Kenneth Clarke lived up tothe Tories anti-Scottish tradition.

What the Tory Chancellor gives to you in tax cuts he will recoup by forcing local councilsto increase the Council Tax. The Chancellor calls that good economics and good politics. Itmay be good for Middle England but it is very bad for Scotland. Of course, Scotland'sexperience could be so different. Since the Conservatives came to power in 1979 - and by theGovernment's own figures - Scotland has contributed a massive £81 billion to the LondonTreasury. We have received nothing in return.

Over the last few months the SNP has set out our approach to changing Scotland - explaininghow an Independent Scotland would make a difference to the lives of our people. For thefirst time we have published a detailed and fully costed Programme for Government. NewLabour say that they won't make any commitments until they see the books. That's an excuse- and everyone knows it. New Labour are offering nothing, and will deliver nothing. We are offering a new start for Scotland - based on real figures and real promises.

Of course the Conservatives take a different tack. They promise one thing before anelection, and deliver something else - something much worse - afterwards. We won't do thateither. Our costed Programme for Government is based on three clear themes:

Firstly a series of enterprise and employment initiatives will provide competitiveadvantages for Scottish businesses and aim to create full employment. Secondly, initiativesto deliver social justice will target the needs of pensioners, young people and hard pressedfamilies. Thirdly, a system of fair taxation will be applied which eases the burden oftaxation on the lower paid and asks those who are highly rewarded to pay a little more.

Our programme is affordable. It will be paid for by putting Scotland's resources to work forScotland's people. We will save money by removing the detested Trident nuclear missileprogramme and by getting more people off the dole and into work. We will replace lumberingWhitehall with a modern and efficient system of Government.

Scotland is a wealthy nation. We are the 8th richest country in the industrialised world. Wehold 70 % of Europe's crucial oil reserves. We have an abundance of natural resources. Ourpopulation is skilled and well-educated. Our industry is innovative and productive we have areputation for quality and honesty.

Today we are locked into a spiral of economic and social decline as part of the UK. WithIndependence we can pursue our own ambitions. We can use the power of a Scottish government and a direct voice in Europe and the world to change our country. We can deliver the veryBest for Scotland!

John Swinney
Treasury Spokesperson

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If you would like to know more about the SNP and HELP SCOTLAND contact snp.hq@snp.org.uk or visit the official the Scottish National Party web site.

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