Scottish Labour's manifesto follows the "failed blueprint of Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves" and their refusal to outline how their plans will be costed means a "nasty surprise" could be in store for Scots.
That's the verdict from Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton following Anas Sarwar's launch today.
She says the manifesto is "not worth the paper it is written on" and is not a credible or costed plan to deliver the change Scotland needs after two decades of SNP failure.
She added that Scottish Labour are also being "dangerously complacent" about John Swinney's plans for another referendum as soon as 2028, with independence not mentioned once in their manifesto.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “Scottish Labour's manifesto is not worth the paper it was written on.
“It is not a serious or credible plan to deliver the change Scotland needs after two decades of failure from the SNP.
“Anas Sarwar is following the failed blueprint of Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves with his uncosted manifesto.
“That means a nasty surprise could be in store for Scots, just like when Labour snatched away winter fuel payments from pensioners.
“Scottish Labour are also dangerously complacent about John Swinney's latest push for another referendum.
“They care so little for Scotland's place in the UK that the manifesto doesn’t even say whether they would oppose these plans.
“By sharp contrast, our manifesto is fully costed and offers a positive vision to get Scotland working again, and we will always stand up for our place in the Union.
“The best way to stop an SNP majority is for pro-UK voters to unite around the Scottish Conservatives and vote for us on the peach ballot paper."
Notes to editors:
Labour’s manifesto doesn’t say whether they will oppose another independence referendum. There is not a single mention of the term referendum in the manifesto, nor any mention of Scottish Labour’s position on independence. (Scottish Labour Manifesto 2026, 13 April 2026, https://scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Scottish-Labour-Manifesto-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">link).
Labour fails to support our oil and gas industry in their manifesto with no commitment to backing new drilling. The only mentions of oil and gas are referenced in terms of ensuring there is a ‘just transition’ towards renewable energy. (Scottish Labour Manifesto 2026, 13 April 2026, https://scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Scottish-Labour-Manifesto-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">link).
Labour is committed to increasing spending on benefits – just like Sir Keir Starmer. The manifesto is committed to maintaining the SNP’s benefits system which will see costs spiral to almost £10 billion by the end of the decade. (Scottish Labour Manifesto 2026, 13 April 2026, https://scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Scottish-Labour-Manifesto-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">link).
Labour will keep the SNP’s high taxes. Labour’s manifesto only says they won’t raise them any further – and that lowering the SNP’s high income taxes is an ‘ambition’. (Scottish Labour Manifesto 2026, 13 April 2026, https://scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Scottish-Labour-Manifesto-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">link).
Labour’s manifesto is not costed and fails to say how they will address the financial black hole in the SNP Government’s budget. They state: ‘The policy commitments set out in this manifesto are all funded from within the existing forecasts for the Scottish budget’. However, there is a black hole in the Scottish Government’s forecast budget, meaning there is not enough funding to support existing commitments, let alone pay for new ones. (Scottish Labour Manifesto 2026, 13 April 2026, https://scottishlabour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Scottish-Labour-Manifesto-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">link).