Election latest: Sunak 'sorry to hear' voter thinks he's a 'poundshop Farage' - as SNP launch their manifesto (2024)

The BBC asks Mr Swinney whether the SNP winning a majority of Scottish seats could lead to independence.

In response, the SNP leader says the best way to secure independence is through a referendum.

He says the "obstacle" to this is the "intransigence" of the House of Commons.

Mr Swinney again points to the 2021 Holyrood parliamentary election as being the mandate for his party to negotiate independence - rather than the referendum held in 2014.

The SNP won 47.7% of the vote in 2021.

If the SNP gets a majority of Scottish seats, Mr Swinney says his party will "embark on negotiations" with the UK government to "turn the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland into a reality".

John Swinney now makes his pitch for Scottish independence.

"In an independent Scotland we could be back in the EU - for the first time as an equal member in our own right," he says.

"We would be part of the huge single market, which by population is seven times the size of the UK.

"We would enjoy once again the benefits of European freedom of movement - vital for so many Scottish businesses."

He acknowledges that success in this respect is not guaranteed, but says there are grounds for optimism.

"With all our resources; all our talent, with everything we have to offer and all our ambition - why not Scotland?" he asks.

"Never let anyone tell you that independence is separate from people’s daily concerns - it is fundamental to those concerns," he continues.

Concluding his speech, he says: "It is about where decisions about Scotland are made. Decisions over our economy.

"Our health service, our living standards.

"So on 4 July I am asking you to vote SNP."

John Swinney says his party's philosophy is to "always put the interests of Scotland first".

He says that Scotland has been ignored by Westminster, and that "the UK is going in a different direction – the wrong direction".

Mr Swinney outlines his party's "ABC" of austerity, Brexit, and the cost of living crisis.

He adds a "D" of democracy - saying independence will give Scotland the governments it votes for.

On the subject of a referendum, Mr Swinney says the 2021 Scottish parliamentary election vote was a "clear majority" for independence and a referendum.

This election is an opportunity to "reinforce" the case for an independent Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon resigned as SNP leader after trying to call another independence referendum, as it was found that power only lay with the Westminster government.

"Friends, every election is a choice," John Swinney continues.

"Over recent years, the outrageous Westminster power grab has been designed to reduce the choices Scotland can make for itself - that must stop."

He says he will fight to stop Westminster "routinely passing laws in devolved areas without the consent of the Scottish parliament".

"The SNP will stand up for Scotland at Westminster, and put Scotland's interests first," he adds.

He says he wants the power of Westminster to be transferred into the hands of the Scottish people.

He then lists a number of SNP achievements in office, including on transport and housing.

"That is the SNP in government at Holyrood - working day in, day out to earn and re-earn the trust of people in Scotland."

The SNP leader says he wants to "eradicate" child poverty.

As such, he says the SNP's MPs will push for the two-child benefit cap to be scrapped.

He attacks Labour for wanting to keep the plan.

Sir Keir Starmer, when challenged on this, has pointed to the affordability of taking such a measure.

Mr Swinney then calls on nuclear weapons to be scrapped, as well as the House of Lords.

"Bairns, not bombs," is the SNP's policy, he says.

John Swinney turns to what the SNP offers voters.

"We are the only major party arguing for an end to the spending cuts," he says.

The SNP manifesto argues for new, "sensible fiscal rules", he says, rules that will:

• End spending cuts;
• Reverse the £1.3bn cut to Scotland's capital budget;
• Invest in public services, starting with the health service.

Under the SNP, "the NHS is not for sale".

Voting SNP is "a vote to protect our public services and our precious NHS", he adds.

Party leader John Swinney is launching the SNP's manifesto.

As this is an election for the House of Commons, Mr Swinney is not standing for a seat as he is a member of the Scottish parliament at Holyrood.

The party's leader at Westminster in the last parliament was Stephen Flynn.

"We are a moderate left of centre party in the mainstream of Scottish public opinion, firmly rooted in the ideas of inclusion and internationalism," Mr Swinney says.

Mr Swinney says his party wants independence "not for its own sake", but for the "powers" to do things like protecting the NHS and building a stronger economy.

The SNP will be launching its manifesto at 11am.

Follow along with us live as we bring you all the latest updates as they happen.

Earlier this morning, Rishi Sunak took part in a phone in with LBC.

Unsurprisingly, the prime minister came in for some criticism from the public.

One man, who told the PM he was gay and had been living with HIV, criticised Mr Sunak for being "obsessed with divisive culture wars".

He added: "Personally, I think you've become a poundshop Nigel Farage."

"I'm very sorry to hear you feel that way," Mr Sunak said.

"I don't believe that at all. I care very much about making sure people, whatever their background, are respected."

YouGov pollsters have asked 2,238 people how they feel about various party leaders - and who would make the prime minister.

In a series of head to heads, Sir Keir Starmer came ahead of all the other leaders.

He beat Rishi Sunak by 41 points to 21 points, Nigel Farage by 50 points to 25, and Sir Ed Davey by 40 points to 14.

The rest of the 100% in each case was made up by "don't knows".

Out of the other match-ups, Mr Farage came second in them all - and Mr Sunak lost out to Sir Ed.