The SNP’s Alternative Queen’s Speech

At the general election, Scotland voted to reject the politics of Brexit and austerity. However, it is clear that Boris Johnson is still willing to ignore people in Scotland and attempt to force through his right-wing agenda.

In contrast to Boris Johnson and while the Labour Party is stuck in a rut, unable to unify or to decide what it stands for, it is the SNP that is providing a clear, consistent and effective opposition to the Tories.

Our Alternative Queen’s Speech calls for policies to deliver a fairer, more prosperous and more equal country, and for Westminster to accept that Scotland’s future must lie in Scotland’s hands.

The Alternative Queen’s Speech

The Constitution

Scottish Independence Referendum, making clear that Scotland’s future must always be in Scotland’s hands. The right to decide the timing of any future referendum on Scottish Independence should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, recognising that it is for Scotland’s parliament to decide our future – not Westminster.

An Electoral Franchise Expansion Bill, lowering the voting age to 16 and establishing an independent commission on proportional representation to report on possible models for Westminster.

A House of Lords Abolition Bill, delivering the long overdue reform to Westminster of abolishing the House of Lords. The SNP would also signal its wider intention to abolish English Votes for English Laws, introduce electronic voting in Parliament, and create a House Business Committee to enhance the role of Parliament in scrutinising government.

Health and Social Justice

An NHS Protection Bill, to stop the threat to the NHS from a Tory-Trump trade deal, and a commitment to increase per capita health spending in England to the same level as it is in Scotland, benefiting the NHS in all four UK nations.

A Social Security Reform Bill, to scrap the two-child cap on tax credits and rape clause, to end the benefits freeze, and halt the flawed rollout of Universal Credit.

A Parental Leave Expansion Bill, to increase parental leave with an additional 12 weeks to be ring-fenced for the father in order to encourage take-up as well as increases in statutory maternity and paternity pay.

Climate Change and the Green Revolution

A Climate Emergency Bill, introducing tougher legal targets, to ensure the UK government matches Scotland’s net zero emissions target by 2045 – as well as putting oil and gas receipts into a net-zero fund for measures to tackle climate change.

A new Green Energy Deal, delivering real action on the climate emergency by building on the transition toward a greener, sustainable future.

The Economy

An Equal Living Wage Bill, to increase the national minimum wage to at least the level of the real Living Wage, and to end age discrimination in the legal minimum wage.

A BBC Licence Fee Bill, to ensure the BBC licence fee remains free for over-75s.

A Women’s Pension Justice Bill, to deliver justice for the 3.8million women born in the 1950s denied their pension by consecutive UK governments.

Defence and Foreign Affairs

A Trident Abolition Bill, rejecting the immoral replacement of nuclear weapons at a cost of over £200billion.