The Scottish Liberal Democrats leader has said the “shine has come off” the SNP as he laid out his vision for Scotland ahead of next month’s election.
Willie Rennie predicted this would be the election where Nicola Sturgeon’s party is exposed – and punished – for its failures in government in key areas like health and education.
He said his party would make Scotland the “best again” during the launch of the Lib Dems’ manifesto, which focused on how they would spend the windfall from the proposed Penny for Education income tax hike.
Mr Rennie, who revealed his party’s plans in Edinburgh yesterday, said the SNP had presided over the slide of Scottish education from amongst the world’s elite to “just average”.
He said: “What you have seen now is the shine has come off the SNP.
“They are not having an easy ride. In previous years hardly anyone laid a glove on them. This year they are struggling because of this record.”
Pledges included in the manifesto include a commitment to build adolescent mental health facilities in Aberdeen and Inverness – there are currently no beds north of Dundee – as well as moving away from punishment for personal drug offences.
Mr Rennie also said voters will make a “harsher judgement” on the SNP than is being seen in the opinion polls.
The Mid-Scotland and Fife candidate also called for an end to the debate on independence.
He said: “I would be robust against independence, but I do not want to spend the next five years talking about it.
“I want to spend the next five years focusing on the big issues that face the country.
“And if we follow the route of the Conservatives – but also of the SNP – to continue this debate then I think it will set Scotland back further than we are just now.”
The Lib Dems had five MSPs in the last Scottish Parliament and polls indicate they may struggle to retain that number in the May 5 vote.
Mr Rennie said their group has “punched above our weight” in Holyrood in challenging SNP centralisation and cuts and added: “With more MSPS we can do so much more.”
