The free cspan radio app for apple and android devices. [applause] on tuesday first minister of scotland Nicola Sturgeon launched a Scottish NationalParty Election platform in perth, scotland, and announce a boat should take place at the end of the brexit negotiations saying that theres too much at stake with brexit for scotland not to be part of the process. This is about one hour. [cheers and applause] thank you very much, friends. And welcome to the manifesto launch of the real opposition. [applause] our strong and Effective Group has proven record of stand up for scotland, westminster leaving the real opposition to the tory government. And in this election only the e snp can provide a strong prote progressive voice to protect the scottish people and scottish jobs against the dangers of an unopposed hardline tory government. Thats why now more than ever before its essential that we have a strong group of snp mps standing up against tory cuts and a manifesto that will represent progressive values and an alternative to austerity. We will provide that effective oyster will provide strong opposition. Will provide the real agenda for change. So ladies and gentlemen, emen, [applause] ladies and gentlemen, to present the Scottish National party is planned to deliver this change, please welcome the leader of the snp, the firster minister of scotland, Nicola Sturgeon. [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] thank you, very much. Thank you, angus. A very warm welcome to the launch of the as mps manifesto for the general election. This manifesto sets out a clear plan to in tory cuts, protect scottish jobs and strengthen scotlands hand. It is a manifesto with fairness, opportunity, and democracy. At its heart. A manifesto for the country thad is welcoming. Manif a manifesto that reflects our beliefs in the Infinite Possibilities open to the people of scotland. If we Work Together in the common good to build the kind of country we know we can be. [applause] our pledge at this election is that snp mps will work every day to make scotlands voice heard and build a better country. We know that decisions taken at westminster in the years ahead will shape our country. So now more than ever is vitalav to a strong snp voices standing up for scotland. With labour [applause] with labour in disarray, the tories saw chance to take ale of uk for many, many years to come. With their true colors being exposed in this campaign, we have a real chance to keep them in check. B and let us be clear. Labour isnt Strong Enough to do that. Voting labour simply risks electing in tory mps. In scotland, only the snp cann keep the tories in check. [applause] in this election it is vital that we strengthen scotlands hand, not to be an as. Otherwise so much of what we cherish and value will be under threat. The dismantling of the postwelfare state already underway with pick up pace. Experts are already predicting the biggest rise in inequality since the 1980s. They say the incomes of households will fall i can present over the next four years. And the tory policy will drive 1 million more children across the uk into poverty. Just think about that. 1 million more children. That means that by 2021, there could be more than 5 million children across the uk, never equivalent to the total population of scotland, living in poverty in one of the richest countries in the world. That is shameful. [applause] that is shameful. Our manifesto puts it at the very heart of this election. L jobs would be lost, too. As the tories threaten to turn the backs not just on the eu, but on the Single Market as well. That is why more than ever before we need strong snp voices at westminster to stand up to the tories and to stand up for scotland. [applause]ntry, we as the country face big challenges, but we have made so much progress. We mustnt let westminster government drag us backwards. And in this manifesto we set up how strong snp mps will help to build a more fair, equal scotland. And that starts with a clear alternative to clear a story. For the tories, austerity is not simply a response to aon particular Economic Situation the our political dogma, and ideology. As well as damaging our Public Services, they hold back our economy. Thats why they cut uk government has consistently failed to meet all of its fiscal targets. So public finances were settingg out a different approach. Our plan has three key aims. Firstly, to bound uk budget for daytoday spending by the end of the parliament and after that borrowing only to invest. Secondly, to return the deficit to precrash longterm average. Thirdly, to set a date on a downward path. Hes responsible fiscal targets will determine the uk finances to a stable and sustainable position, and we will also free up an additional 118 billion pounds of Public Investment over the nextxt parliament, to grow the economy, save our Public Services and protect household incomes. A clear alternative to five more years of austerity, investment for the future, not another potential destroying cycle of cuts. Thats the snp plan. [applause] snp mps will back their tax. Governments com can we present e basic rate of income tax to help more middle earners. That is the right approach at a time when rising inflation is making it harder for many families to make ends meet. We have also opted not to cut tax for higher rate taxpayers. I tax cuts for the top 10 of income earners at a time when public spending is undersu pressure is the wrong priority. We choose investment in our Public Services instead. [applause] snp mps will also supportrt an increase across the uk in the additional rate of income tax for those earning more than 150,000 pounds from 45p to 50p. The difference between the snp and the tories is this pick the tories plan to give tax cuts to the wealthiest while pushing more hardworking people and families into poverty. Our plans are fair to all and will lift people out of poverty. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because we know that greater inequality helps our economy, too. One of the biggest scandals in recent years, and it is a scandal, has been the rise in the number of People Living in poverty despite having a job. 70 of children, 70 of children growing up in poverty, live in a household where at least oneld person is working. The highest proportion ofrs workers the real living wage of any country in the uk, and that is positive. We need to do more to tackle low pay, falling real wages and give support for those on low income. Thats why today i am setting out a threepoint play to tackle poverty and inequality and increase the incomes and thees d Living Standards of familiesar across the uk. Firstly, we will support movese over the next parliament, working with business to increase the minimum wage to the level of the real living wage. That means [applause] that means a living wage fight in the next parliament that will be slightly more than ten pounds per hour. Secondly, even scotland will take a different approach tolant Public Sector. The 1 pay cut cut was designed to take jobs at the time the spending cuts imposed by westminster. Only snp come it has taken action to soften its impact on the lowest paid, and many nationals in scotland are paid more than their counterparts in the uk. There is no doubt that is been hard for Public Sector workers. And at a time of rising inflation it is increasingly unsustainable. Of course they must be affordable but they must also the circumstances people face and enable us to attract and retain staff in our Public Services. So for next year and in future years we will not assume a 1 pay cap. We will have instead we will have discussions for evidence that is based on a proper consideration of the impact of inflation. With a view to reaching incomes of strike the right balance between affordability and the a cost of living. The policies in this manifesto will restore fairness to our Social Security system. Make no mistake. The tories have sought to i undermine faith in the wealthiest state itself. They have set out very deliberately destigmatize those on benefits. Of course no one should be allowed to abuse the system. C their rhetoric is cover for the hardship they are causing for those who work hard and struggle to get by on low income. Children, the elderly, women, the disabled, even the bereaved are feeling the brunt. There are about 9 billion pounds in Social Security cuts still to come over the next four years. Not surprisingly, the tories want to press ahead with every single penny. What is surprising is that labour is pledging to reverse less than a quarter of those cuts. So let me be clear today, snp mps will stand against all of the planned cuts to Social Security. [applause]we will do and we would do so because they punish the disabled and those who work hard to make ends meet. We were also support the reversal of the two child cap on tax credit, and we will [applause]irelessl and we were camping tirelessly against the immoral cost that goes with it. [applause] the rate clause, a policy that shames every tory candidate who supports it. [applause] removing 30 pounds per week invites support from disabled people. We will oppose the freeze on working age benefits, policy that will set the incomes of the poorest and our society by 6 . The reason we stand against the tory assault on Social Security, on the disabled and the portabls is this. These cuts strike at the very heart of how we see ourselves as a nation and our shared ambitior for the future of our nation. [applause] they are unfair and they are designed to divide. Of course a growing gap between rich and poor is not the only divide that tory policy will create. Their manifesto also seeks to set young against old. The utter chaos that and go teresa mays plan for a socalled dementia tax makes me prouder than ever that the Scottish Parliament introduce the personal and nursing care for our elderly. [applause] receives two and 48,000 pounds a week a week just under 13,000 pounds a year towards the cost of this care. That significant reduces the burdens on the personal assets of someone has to find their own care. So let me make clear today, the snp will always protect freer personal and nursing care for our elderly. [applause] of course, it is old age drives his policy. And snp mps will be strongthe voices for their pension. The tory manifesto is nothing thort of an assault on pensioners from the dementia tax to the removal of the winter fuel allowance and ending of the triple lock. To every older person in scotland i say this. It is very clear that the tories think they can take the votes oy many older people for granted, and their manifesto makes clear what he will do if given the chance. If you dont want them to have a free hand to remove your hardwon protections, make sure you elect strong voices that will stand up for you. [applause] the snp will protect the winter fuel allowance and with pension or poverty once again on the rise, we will oppose the removal of the pensions triple lock. We will also be voices for thehe women who have been shortchanged due to the timetable for entry into the women state pension. L snp mps will continue to give support for the campaign. [applause]t the tories it seems clear the tories are planning to cut deeper to cover the impact of their plans extreme brexit. These cuts are hurting the lowpaid and pensioners, and their damaging our Public Services. Thats why we will stand against them. Over the past ten years the snp has prioritized the health service, and will continue to do so. Like Health Services across the world faces real challenges. But Patient Satisfaction is at record levels. Our hospitals are the best performing anywhere in the uk. [applause]d are many are better paid than anywhere else in the uk, and we have integrated health and social care. We already have a pledge to increase the nhs by 2 billion pounds of the end of t the Scottish Parliament. But out of compasses for Public Financing would allow across the uk. Snp mps will call in the new uk government to increase Health Spending for head of population in england to the current scottish led which is 7 higher. [applause] that would increase the Health Budget in england by 11 billion pounds more than inflation by 2022. And it would deliver consequential funding to support additional investment in scotland about to 1 billion pounds over and above our current commitment. [applause] the snp stand up for scotlands nhs now and always. [applause] police and Fire Services that served us so well over this past week as they always do. Snp mps will demand that a a tory government returns the it 140 Million Pounds that it is so unfairly taken. [applause]y money that the tories have s unfairly and shamefully takenn away from our emergency services. We will continue to extend reach out care. Investing 750 Million Pounds in a special fund to raise standards in our skills and the snp is committed to always protecting free universityit education. [applause] in this election where campaigning to restore the post study work visa so we can continue to attract the best and the brightest from around the world to our country here in scotland. We are working to ensure that our universities dont lose out on vital european funding. [applause] policies like expanding freen childcare, closing the payment gap in our schools and see University Tuition are designed to help young people achieve their goals and create a fairer society. Make a showing of a Strong Economy is also vital to the future of our young people. Jobs in the economy are essential to this manifesto. We have been really challenging economic times, particularly given the fall in oil prices. But at the end of last year, scotlands gdp per head was about its prerecession level. Productivity has been growing faster than the uk, and unemployment is lower in the uk average. And in the greatest economic history facing scotland, reversing population decline and growing the number of people of working age who live here, Real Progress has been made. Progress that is now at risk by brexit. In government we have our 6 billion pounds Infrastructure Program and we are taking 100,000 Business Practices out of think Business Rates altogether. [applause] in this election we will not support further reductions to the rate of corporation tax. That is not the right priority right priority at this time, but we will support targeted reductions in National Insurance to bring down the cost employers face when taking on new workers, and to help boost productivity we will support an increase in the investment allows tobu encourage businesses to invest more in plant and machinery. Supporting our economy is a i vital to everything we do. We live in a world where technological and Economic Transformation is happening at a pace we havent seen before. We have the potential inmo scotland, more than most countries on earth to take advantage of the opportunity this change presents. The food and drink industry is a multibillion pound successndolr story. We have Unrivaled Energy resources, a universities and that among the best in the world. We are World Leaders in the industries of the future. There technology, natural resources, longstanding reputations. There are internationally recognized brands that gives scotland a head start. European Single Markets, already the worlds biggest represents a massive opportunity for these areas of scottish strength. And the economy, energy retailers, the Single Market with huge potential still to bel unlocked. That means the huge potential economic prize for scotland. It means a window of opportunity for young people, for brexit, and extreme brexit through all that at risk. That is why i believe so strongly that at the end of the Brexit Process, scotland must have a choice about her future, a choice between following the u. K. Down the brexit path or becoming an independent country. [applause] [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] there is just too much at stake for brexit simply no matter how damaging it turns out to be. A future must be biased, not boring. [cheers and applause] such as the democratic mandatece or scotland having such a choice. The recent vote. They win the majority in this election that will further reinforce our mandate. Under the circumstances comment and the continued blocking the b choice, when the time is right and the options are clear would be democratically unsustainable. [applause] that will be a choice for the end of the train or process. I want to be clear today that this election also present gotten with a more immediate opportunity. In the months ahead, we must make sure that our interests are not ignored in the trade for negotiations. Make sure that scotlands voices here. The majority of people in scotland voted to remain in the e. U. Even many of those have voted to leave from our real concerns about the extreme brexit being pursued by the Prime Minister. Not just as the e. U. , but also the Single Market will put scottish jobs at risk and poses a real danger to our fishermen come universities, food and drink as this is, to almost every sector of our economy. That is by the scottishthat w government published compromise proposals that would keep in the market. These were brushed aside by the Prime Minister. This election offers people the opportunity to give them democratic legitimacy can make it impossible for the Prime Minister to continue to ignore scotlands voice. [cheers and applause] so my message today to all voters in scotland is based. Maybe you vote to leave our remain last year or yes or no in 2014, vote ssp on the dates of june to give me a mandate to demand a place for scott and that the trend for negotiating table we can work to keep profits in the Single Market. [cheers and applause] now more than ever it is vital to have strong s p voice is stiff enough for scotland at westminster. The snp will strengthen hand stores a tory cut against an extreme brexit and scotlands right to make your decisions. The fact is we cannot afford a tory government with a free hand to do whatever it likes. We must have strong voices. Standing up for their interest in defending the values we have here. You know that tory mps will be a rubber stamp. Just as you know that in scotland, voting labor and tory mps, only the snp is Strong Enough to keep in check and only snp mps will always stand up for scotland. [applause] weather on rags it for the future of our Public Services, and this is our manifesto to make scotlands voice heard. It is a manifesto for prosperity to tackle in a quality. A manifesto to protect jobs and build the fair society we know in a manifesto to ensure scotlands future will always be in scotlands hands. Scot im prepared to be the representative of the scottish people today. [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] thank you very much indeed. Thank you. Some qu im now going to take someplease questions, so please listen quietly and do the important job. If i can see them come in for. Thanks so much. Your speeches predicated upon the return of the majority conservative government. You call that highly likely. But in no circumstances, with the power reside in numbers 10 and 11 downing street. Whatever does have the last couple of years and even a fast snp presence at westminster you kind of forms of majority, but even that presence can constrain the conservatives. The scenes over these past two years but hasnt the snp not labor, not sure record bid that has been the effective opposition. [applause] to make their voice heard, wela can only count raising issues not just important for scotland but we can on the Prime Ministers questions that was the first time a National Insurance increasing the budget and of course the whole range of issues that has the snp making sure scotlands voices heard. Over a period where we may have another tory government but the bigger majority will be even more important. Of course in politics, who wins elections matters in terms of who has the authority to standt up and speak. If the snp wins this election, i take nothing for granted. But if we win this election, the people of scotland will have trusted the snp to stand up to scotland. [applause] and that is exactly what we will do. It gives me great hard on this topic and i think weve seen particularly in the last two weeks we face not so much the iron lady. The more we can force them into, the better. [applause] first minister James Matthews from sky news. You talk about addressing an independent referendum at the end of the budget process. This began to the Brexit Process post spring 2019 or in circumstances later than that. And also come me say that for the tories to block the referendum would be democratically unsustainable given that they beg to differ, what would you do . Firstly, we should let the people have their say. The great opportunity has given it this stipulation and we have the opportunity to have the first part of your question and i am very clear that scotlandsa choice scotland must have a choice. , that brexit could do if it goes wrong. We cannot accept the damaging the economy and Public Services. That is why a choice not now, but at the right time is important. I said at the end of the process because it is important people have clarity and what that means about the options. Theres in 2018 as spring 2019 because that is when chorizo may say in the process line. If that changes, i have set up these plans. At that changes, we will have to consider our timing in light of that because the key point off principle for me is clarity at the end of the process about the future of our country. [applause] you talk about reinforcing the case for another independence referendum. If you lose seats, does your case . Im here to do an important job with the analogous to account. Ms. St maybe im oldfashioned that the more voice in more seats than any other party wins the election. That is democracy. [applause]turgeon what im also seeing clearly talking about choice for the end of the budget process, this election also gives us immediate opportunities. It gives us the opportunity to make sure the voices in the house of commons than enough for scotland. It makes sure that we will have voices standing against an extreme brexit, making sure they are represented in these talks. Thats why im seeing people no matter how you voted in a referendum last year with the 12 years ago is our opportunity to make scotlands voice heard andv we know that the only way to make scotlands voice heard iss to vote snp and thats what im asking everyone to do. [applause] [inaudible] and looking very handsome i can assure you. [laughter] first minister, they are sending him a message which they do not want to know the independence referendum. Relay . Really . [applause] there is some evidence that it is working on some of your colleagues could lose theirr seats because of it. Ha do you worry about that and the decision to call the referendumy may cost some of your colleagues their seats . It also can i ask that the snp who support the labor proposals on income tax or 45 and 50 rate of 123,000 pounds and if not, why . We will support a 50p tax relief for those with 150,000 pounds or more. We opposed tax cuts for those and we have not delivered the tax cut in Scottish Parliament and we support the income tax because inflation is rising and i dont think we should be casting the budget onto the shoulders of low and middle income earners. [applause] in terms of your next question, im confident in all of my colleagues here and thoseh watching at home, each and every one of them has been a strongic voice and to make sure. [cheers and applause] Angus Robertson has been the voice of opposition, standing up to chorizo may instead end up to the tories, weekend and week out and putting it to shame as he does it. [cheers and applause] and lastly, on the point of the tory campaign, you may have said this last week, but others said the independent. The thing is, she talked about it so much that i dont get a chance to talk about it. What im talking about in this election is how we put an end, how to get rid of policies thatg the rate cause and supportate really does shave her and show her. And the reason they dont want to talk about the records that they do not want to talk about the policies because they know the tory records harm our Public Services i will continue to put an end to the policies that are doing so much damage. [a [cheers and applause] they may be misinformed. That may be correct. We mightve gone from one extreme to another with the media. You seen in the manifesto you want to balance the budget again to parliament. Theres a lot of extra spending here and do i have the detaileds plan and can you give us an idea of how you plan to balance thes budget. Will present term of the fiscal plan by the end of the parliament and reducing the deficit to its longterm average at the dead of gdp. And they free up 118 over the parliament. The 45 to 50 pounds on the additional rate of income taxes and couples are married in 10 billion pounds over and the spending commitments around 80 billion pounds of the parliament. So they are affordable that we have set out. If for example there needs to be investment with some of the impacts of brexit. This is aside out an affordable plan. How we balance the budget is to take a sensible step towards balancing not budget, but not doing it through aggressive cut on the backs of those that can least afford. This is significantly moderating and so one of the really things about the tory Economic Policy in the past number of years that the onus verdi has made it harder for them and meet those targets were successfully. And we are putting forward a credible posterity to get the finances within investment forr the future [inaudible] [applause] tom gordon sorry, was i i think tom is now go behind to kathleen. Banks, Prime Minister appeared to manifesto covers in 2015 and 16 were essential single pictures of you. Er you are nowhere to be seen onsi. Thus manifesto you know on thepe outside. Do you say they personally have have become a more devices [inaudible] this is a great example. Its a great example for all politicians. Ol youre if you do and if you dont. The manifesto cleanup expert patients the personality. Their baby is much cuter than me. Is come on. So that is why their baby. I dont think any pictures of me are particularly lovely. But theres one on page two. [applause] [cheers and applause] teresa may have said no to the referendum before brexit is played out and in fact i said that she does a want a record for 35 years. So, whoever is in dire straits, what can we do to make sure scotland and other referendum before brexit . Going to the choice of the end of the process. I often think theres not much difference between what im seeing about teresa may have seen in that regard. That would be wrong. But at the end of the process when we can judge what transferring means and that chople can make an informed choice in the counter to that is we have to accept brexit no matter how damaging they may be. We adhere to these today about the dangers of brexit goingg wrong. Shes spelling out the dangers to Public Services. I dont believe we should have to ask that and our future should be decided for us. Not now but when the time is right. The immediate opportunity in this election is to make sure we can influence the negotiations. Every vote to the snp is a vote to strengthen my hand to make sure the scotland voices heard over the next few months. [cheers and applause] let us know which one to take. [laughter] thank you are a much, french minister. Can i just ask, Jeremy Corbyn said yesterday he would open discussions at the oversight independence referendum. I wanted your thoughts on that. D secondly, i wonder given the poll seemed to suggest the campaign in england. I didnt watch all of it, but i watched some of the debate, c but it was in a debate. You know, im not sure it wouldve been hard to come up with that program last night. And this is a serious point that i order people all over the country. In no matter what and the house they will be able, wondering whether or not theyll have their pensions going to be safe in the future. I think thats outrageous the tories are not going to answer any of these questions in the election. Anyone watching the Prime Minister last night wouldve seen very clearly why she is dodged any direct leaders debatb in this election. [applause] even though the polls i think it suggests we are still facing another tory government. But its the tory government that has been expos over thisn t campaign and that presents us with an opportunity to make sure we keep the tory government in check, without a strong scottish voices standing up for our interests. This is a fundamentally important point in this election because we know labor is no longer Strong Enough in scotland to stand up to the tories. Across scotland would only run the risk of letting them in the back door and not as a risk people should be area carefullye about. Only the snp has the strength and scotland to stand up. We face i think another government and they are exposedd in this campaign. Lets make sure we grasp the opportunity to send strong scottish voices to keep the government in check. A theyve had to watch Rick Davidson and we know that mps will just be a rubber stamp, whether that it is posterity card, and extreme brexit. If we want strong scottish voices standing up for scotland that can only come from the snp. So on november the eighth, make sure you vote snp to get strong voices. [cheers and applause] okay, thank you all very much indeed. A before we end today, we will have some more photographs here. Can i thank you all for coming here today, but more importantly, can i ask each and every each and everyone of you not to leave this hall and get a campaign for your local snp candidate. If you can, go and campaign. And then, there are big challenges ahead for all of us. The decision taken by these next few years will shape our country. Ap make sure they are standing up for scotland. Lets get out, lets win this election. [applause] [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] today, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer is the keynote speaker at the American Jewish committee for him. We will bring the senators remarks and more from the comp and five at 145 eastern here on cspan2. The high cost, the increasing cost of not only cable programming, sports programming through retransmission consent and as a business, it is failing. It is very, very difficult for cable operator to then break even on the cable side of the business, which is why broadband is so important giving consumers more of a choice we cant get them on cable through the broad and pie. The company is taking the risk to build the networks are being criticized and made out to be valid, wheres the Companies Making all the cash up internet are being lauded for their wonderful innovation. Im not saying these are Bad Companies they make a ton of money off the internet. For them to go scot free with no regulation or just to me that maybe that is not the right approach. Maybe we should look at who is making all the money and why are they able to take so much out of the system. Former fbi or james comey will testify thursday before the Senate IntelligenceCommittee Investigating thatchers election. Cspan 3 will have live coverage of the open part of the hearing at 10 00 a. M. Eastern. You can also watch live online at cspan. Org or the semi of using the radio app for apple and android devices. Up next on cspan two come in discussion the Heritage Foundation to help the poor. I