Five key policies are at the heart of Liberal Democrat attempts to break into an election contest which has been dominated by Labour and the SNP.
Until now the Scottish LibDems have been content to talk up their opponents as a Punch and Judy act, but with the publication today of their manifesto it is their turn to come out fighting. SLD leader Nicol Stephen needs to raise his profile and today's manifesto will be written in the first person and couched as a personal set of pledges from him.
The Herald understands that at the top of this agenda will be firm pledges of not just grants for those installing energy projects at their homes but also one-off council tax rebates. Most of the LibDem proposals have been trailed. They will involve:
- 250 new schools and 1000 teachers for smaller classes, and an hour of physical activity every day for every pupil. Employing 1000 new sports coaches and PE teachers.
- 100% of electricity from renewables by 2050. Major new support for wave and tidal power and microgeneration in homes, schools and offices. Thousands of jobs. Billions of pounds of investment.
- 100 new local health centres for faster diagnosis and treatment closer to where people live, with 2000 extra nurses and 200 extra dentists to ensure that all adults and children have access to a NHS dentist.
- Seven-year sentences for knife crimes and tougher new community sentences.
- Lower business rates to give Scotland a competitive advantage over the rest of the UK, and a new Innovation Agency based on the Finnish model.
A substantial cash fund will be announced to back those householders prepared to take place in this "renewables revolution".
The manifesto pledges: "The fund will also need to support private homeowners looking for grant support to install microgeneration or improve energy efficiency in their homes.
"As government action helps to drive down purchase and installation prices, payback periods will tumble and those households making the green switch will see recurring savings growing much faster.
"To drive take-up further, we will seek the legislative changes necessary so that homeowners who install new microgeneration during the term of the next parliament can benefit from a one-off £200 rebate on their local tax bill. Those who also invest in energy efficiency measures will be eligible for a further £100 rebate."
Leading North-east LibDem Maitland Mackie yesterday called for Labour and Conservative voters in the Gordon constituency to vote tactically to block an Alex Salmond victory and "ensure that the concept of independence is well and truly dumped for ever".
He said he had no personal animosity against the SNP leader, who once defeated him in Banff and Buchan, but added: "The massive defeat so inflicted on the SNP's leader would give Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world a very clear message that Scotland will have no truck with independence."
However, Mr Mackie, chairman of the family ice cream business and at one time a prominent Conservative in the north-east, revealed himself to be out of step with LibDem policy when he said he did not favour any more powers being given to Holyrood.
"I don't think more autonomy is required for Holyrood," he said."
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