Thread by @theSNP

Nicola Sturgeon: "For Scotland, the question the #ITVDebate posed is this - why should we be content for either of these men to run our country and shape our future? We can do so much better than that."

NS: "All elections are important but this election really, really matters. At stake is not just the next five years.

The future of Scotland is on the line at this election."

NS: "I doubt there is anyone in Scotland who is not heartily sick of Brexit and the chaos we’ve seen played out at Westminster night after night.

But if Brexit goes ahead, all that will turn out to have just been the warm-up act."

NS: "Trade talks haven't even started yet.

And given the hard-line approach of Boris Johnson - especially with Nigel Farage pulling his strings - there is every chance Scotland will be forced out of the EU next year with no trade deal at all."

NS: "Leaving in that way will be an economic disaster.

But any form of Brexit will hit jobs, living standards and our public services."

NS: "Boris Johnson wants a particularly hard Brexit – with Scotland outside the Single Market and Customs Union – the world’s biggest trading block.

His approach will subject us to years and years of wrangling over issues such as trade, fisheries, date security and migration."

NS: "And Jeremy Corbyn still won’t tell us whether he wants the UK to leave the EU or to remain.

The truth is Westminster is going to be engulfed by Brexit chaos for years to come – with long-term damage to Scotland guaranteed."

NS: "A vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit.

It is a vote to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands – not leave it in Boris Johnson’s."

NS: "And that matters.

Brexit has not come out of the blue.

It is an example – albeit an extreme one – of the high price Scotland pays for Westminster control."

NS: "There is a democratic cost.

The Tories haven’t won a general election in Scotland for more than 60 years.

But year after year Scotland has been subjected to Tory governments we don’t vote for."

NS: "That democratic cost comes with a severe practical cost to people’s lives.

Tory austerity over the last ten years has hit public services hard.

By the end of this decade, Westminster will have cut Scotland’s budget by £1.5 billion in real terms."

NS: "And let’s not forget, that’s a cut inflicted not just by the Tories – but also in part by the Liberal Democrats when they were in coalition with the Tories.

That is something voters in Scotland should not and will not forget."

NS: "By contrast, the SNP in government in Scotland, with limited taxation powers, has prioritised investment in our NHS and other public services over tax cuts for the richest.

We’ve introduced a fairer tax system and put record sums into the NHS."

NS: "And in government, the SNP has abolished prescription charges, protected free personal care for older people and extended it now to people of all ages."

NS: "It’s important to make this point: free prescriptions and free personal care are not giveaways.

They are an important part of the universal principle that underpins the NHS – the provision of care, free at the point of use – paid for collectively."

NS: "It’s an expression of our values and of our solidarity.

It’s an example of the approach the SNP has taken in government – a Scottish model for public services."

NS: "That means championing the universal principle – high quality publicly-owned public services that benefit us all, paid for through a progressive tax system."

NS: "As part of it, we are investing in a massive expansion of early learning and childcare for vulnerable 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds.

This will be introduced in full next year, saving families up to £4,500 per child, per year."

NS: "And it is important to note that this saving is more than any tax cut any party is offering working families.

And it will deliver real economic and social benefits too."

NS: "In our schools we’re working to drive up standards and close the poverty related attainment gap, with extra, targeted investment through our Pupil Equity Fund.

For students in our universities we’ve abolished university tuition fees."

NS: "Last week I heard a Tory, turned Lib Dem, say that free tuition was, and I quote, 'a fantasy'.

Perhaps he’s not familiar with Scotland, but let me say very clearly – free tuition in Scotland is very much a reality. And it is one the SNP will always protect."

NS: "And in policing, since 2007, when the SNP first came into government, we have been investing, while Westminster has been cutting.

In England, police numbers have been cut by more than 20,000. The Tory pledge at this election doesn’t even fully reverse that cut."

NS: "By contrast, in Scotland, the SNP has increased the number of police officers by more than 1,000.

In fact, just to match us, and restore England’s share of police officers UK-wide, the Tories would need not the 20,000 extra police officers they are promising, but 27,000."

NS: "We’ve massively out-stripped the rest of the UK in social and council house building as well.

Over the most recent 4 year period that we have figures for, the SNP delivered five times more social rented properties per head of population than England."

NS: "We’ve also kept water in public hands and made strategic interventions in important Scottish industries."

NS: "Where the SNP Scottish Government is responsible for social security payments – our system is fairer, based on dignity, human rights and respect.

And through it, we have already increased support for carers and for low income families."

NS: "And as we look to the future we must keep investing, learning and reforming to benefit patients, our school pupils and communities across Scotland."

NS: "Any government will face difficult tests. That is, of course, true for the SNP as it is for governments everywhere.

But this Scottish model I have outlined - universal public services paid for through progressive taxation - has broad consensus support in Scotland."

NS: "One of the great advantages of countries of our size – as we see in other comparable nations – is a sense of cohesion, solidarity, and shared goals."

NS: "So, although the Labour Party aggressively attacks the SNP, it is striking just how much of their policy platform at this election borrows from what the SNP has already done in government."

NS: "From free prescriptions to abolishing university tuition fees, to free personal care, to public ownership of the water industry and opposition to fracking, Labour has clearly been looking to Scotland for inspiration."

NS: "That might explain - at least in part - why people in Scotland simply don’t see the point in voting Labour anymore.

The SNP is already delivering what they are only promising."

NS: "And the fact is - Labour cannot win in Scotland.

In all of the 13 seats the Conservatives hold in Scotland, it is the SNP who are the challengers."

NS: "If people in Scotland want to make sure Boris Johnson does not get a majority; if they want to see a progressive alliance formed with Scotland’s interests front and centre and the Tories’ locked out of government, then only a vote for the SNP can deliver that outcome."

NS: "And, of course, fundamentally, when it comes to a choice for Scotland between Westminster control and becoming an independent country - Labour always supports Tory government over self-government."

NS: "They would rather see Scotland’s future in Boris Johnson’s hands than in the hands of the people of Scotland."

NS: "Although their policy on whether to give people the right to choose their own future in a new independence referendum seems to change with the wind, there is no doubt where they stand on the substantive question."

NS: "They are for Westminster control every time – no matter how many Tory governments we get, and no matter how much damage the Tories do to Scotland."

NS: "And make no mistake, it is now crystal clear that continued Westminster control means multiple threats to Scotland - to our economy and our living standards, and to our NHS and other public services."

NS: "That’s why this election is so vital.

It will determine what path Scotland takes. Will these threats become reality - or will we decide differently, by taking our future into our hands rather than leaving it in the hands of Boris Johnson and a broken Westminster system?"

NS: "Let me outline three of those threats and how a vote for the SNP can head them off.

First of all, there is the direct economic threat of Brexit."

NS: "Leaving the EU will mean lower economic growth and therefore lower tax revenue to fund public services.

By the end of the next decade a trade deal such as the one favoured by Boris Johnson could wipe £9 billion from the Scottish economy relative to EU membership."

NS: "And leaving with no trade deal – which is still a distinct possibility – could see that rise to £12.7 billion."

NS: "The second threat is to the workforce.

The end of freedom of movement will make it harder to attract NHS and social care staff.

And it will mean fewer people working in Scotland and therefore contributing tax revenue to public services."

NS: "At current immigration rates, our working age population is expected to remain stable over the next 25 years, whereas with reduced migration from the EU, it is projected to decline by between 3% and 5%."

NS: "The UK Government’s own Migration Advisory Committee concluded that EU migrants contribute more to the health service and social care than they consume in services."

NS: "And they accepted that the care sector would face even more serious problems if migration from the EU was restricted.

Yet this is precisely the scenario that this sector faces."

NS: "In this election the Tories are deliberately giving the impression our fellow EU citizens are a burden on the NHS – instead of a vital support.

That is a disgrace. And it has to stop."

NS: "The third threat comes from the Tory power grab on the Scottish Parliament in their pursuit of their Brexit vision.

Remember the Tories fought tooth and nail against devolution in the first place."

NS: "The so-called Tory detoxification strategy designed to convince voters in Scotland that the Conservatives now embrace devolution has proved to be short-lived.

They’ve already used Brexit to grab powers from the Scottish Parliament."

NS: "They’ve legislated for the first time ever on devolved maters without the consent of MSPs.

They’ve even taken the Scottish Government to court in an attempt to strike down an Act of the Scottish Parliament."

NS: "They’re also threatening to take charge of funding in devolved areas, currently controlled by the Scottish Government under the EU structural funds programme."

NS: "With the right-wing of the Tory party in full cry, can anyone have any confidence there won’t be a further power-grab attempt on Scotland’s Parliament as, UK wide, they compromise on workers’ rights and environmental standards?"

NS: "After all, the Tories are desperate to do a trade deal with Donald Trump.

That could mean large rises in the cost of NHS drugs.

And President Trump has said everything, including the NHS, is on the table."

NS: "In government, the Tories have made it clear they are prepared to rip up the devolution settlement if it gets in the way of Brexit.

So we should be in no doubt they will do the same if devolution gets in the way of a Trump trade deal."

NS: "Of course, SNP MPs will do all they can to stop this from happening.

The SNP will introduce an NHS Protection Bill to explicitly protect the NHS in all four countries of the UK from being a bargaining chip in future trade deals."

NS: "But Scotland’s future should not be dependent on the whims of Westminster.

A vote for the SNP is a vote to deprive Boris Johnson of the majority that would enable him to do all of this."

NS: "But, more fundamentally, a vote for the SNP is a vote to escape Brexit and the threats it poses to our economy and public services.

It is a vote to secure the right to choose our own future."

NS: "And if the future we then choose is as an independent member of the EU we will be able to take full advantage of the Single Market – currently around eight times the size of the UK alone."

NS: "If we look at Ireland it is striking how the combination of independence and EU membership led to huge economic gains."

NS: "As an independent country Scotland would be in a unique position to act as a bridge between the rest of the UK and the EU – making us a magnet for global investment, which in turn would boost growth and tax revenues for public services."

NS: "A vote for the SNP is also a vote for a migration policy tailored to our needs.

We can end the hostile environment.

We can retain freedom of movement."

NS: "The SNP government has made it clear just how much we value those from the EU and elsewhere who contribute to our NHS and other public services."

NS: "With control over Scottish migration policy here in Scotland we will have the means to ensure we remain an attractive destination for people who want to build a life and make a contribution in our country."

NS: "A vote for the SNP is also a vote to end the democratic outrage of Westminster Tory governments with no mandate in Scotland.

To move on from right-wing Tories itching to get their hands on devolution."

NS: "And, of course, a vote for the SNP is a vote to protect Scotland from being at the mercy of a Donald Trump trade deal.

It is a chance to secure a future as part of the world’s biggest trading block, in which all members have to give their consent to trade deals."

NS: "Compare that to the way Scotland is being ignored by Westminster.

In government in Holyrood the SNP is working hard to improve our health service, our schools and our police service."

NS: "We’re working with others across Scotland to improve lives.

We’ve introduced a progressive tax system and we are determined to keep public services in public hands."

NS: "All of that progress is at risk if Boris Johnson gets the majority he is seeking.

So at this election Scotland is facing a crucial question – who should decide our future: the people who live here or the likes of Boris Johnson?"

NS: "With a vote for the SNP, we can deprive the Tories of the free hand that they so desperately want.

We can protect the right of the people of Scotland to decide their own future."

NS: "We can stand up against Brexit and the threats it poses to our public services.

We can escape the Westminster chaos and an emboldened right-wing Tory government."

NS: "And we can win the right to choose the future we want for this and future generations.

Vote SNP for a better country and to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands."