Scottish National Party launches general election manifesto for stronger Scotland

The ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) launched on Monday its general election manifesto for a stronger Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon, SNP leader and Scottish First Minister, said that the general election provides an opportunity to make a "positive change" in the Westminster parliament system to serve Scotland better.

"A vote for the SNP on May 7 is a vote for MPs (members of parliament) who will always stand up for Scotland's best interests," Sturgeon said.

"It is a vote to make Scotland's voice heard at Westminster more loudly than it has ever been heard before. And it is a vote for more progressive politics," she added.

The SNP will use its influence at Westminster to help deliver positive change for the benefit of ordinary people, not just in Scotland, but across Britain, proposing a real alternative to the pain of austerity, an end to unfair policies like the bedroom tax, a higher minimum wage and protection for Scotland's national health system and vital public services, according to Sturgeon.

She called for more investment in Scotland's economy to create more and better paid jobs, the scrapping of nuclear weapons and to invest precious resources into building a better future for children.

The SNP leader ruled out putting the Tories (Conservatives) into power, saying that "if there is an anti-Tory majority after the election, we will offer to work with other parties to keep the Tories out."

Polls showed that a hung British parliament is likely as votes for the Conservatives and Labour could be close after May 7. Support for the SNP is still riding high following last year's independence referendum. The SNP has a chance to hold the balance of power to seek more SNP seats at Westminster.

The SNP said it is now the biggest political party in Scotland and the third biggest party in Britain with over 105,000 SNP members following a rapid membership increase after the independence referendum on Sept. 18, 2014.

The SNP is predicated to win more than 40 seats in the upcoming British general election against its current six seats at Westminster.

Among the total 59 seats for Scotland at Westminster elected in last general election in 2010, Labour holds 41 against the Conservatives' one and the Liberal Democrats' 11.

Among the total 650 seats in the Commons of the British parliament, the conservatives currently hold 302 seats, against Labour at 256, and the Liberal Democrats 56. The number needed for a majority is 323 seats. Enditem