'Our values are your values': John Swinney gives final push ahead of General Election

THE First Minister has given his final speech before the General Election takes place on July 4.

John Swinney visited the SNP campaign trail in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening, where he met with activists and delivered an address to the Scottish people.

He admitted that in England, “we now know from all the information available to us that this election is over and done with”.

(Image: PA)

Swinney continued: “We know that what people want to see happen in Scotland, the removal of this discredited and damaging Conservative government, is going to happen because of the vote in England.

“Here in Scotland, there is a real contest that is going on between the SNP and the Labour Party.

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“That’s a contest which is incredibly close, but it’s also a contest that really matters because in countless constituencies the length and breadth of this country, there will be narrow margins separating the SNP and the Labour Party.”

Swinney said the Labour Party which looks set to be elected into government “will maintain the same hard line on Brexit”, “maintain the presence of nuclear weapons on the Clyde”, “keep the odious two-child limit in place while they lift the cap on bankers’ bonuses”, “open the door to the privatisation of the National Health Service”, and “pick up with austerity where the Conservatives are going to leave off tomorrow”.

(Image: PA)

Addressing those in Scotland weighing up who to vote for on Thursday, the First Minister said: “If you want to live in a hopeful Scotland, a Scotland where we eradicate child poverty, a Scotland where we reach out to our European neighbours, a Scotland where we do the right thing on the international questions of the day – like Gaza – then vote for the Scottish National Party because our values are your values in this election.

“We have a chance tomorrow to save the future of our country, to do what we believe is the right of the people of Scotland, to design a future that’s made in Scotland, for Scotland.

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“That’s what we are about as a party, making sure that Scotland is able to make a future in Scotland through independence.

“I encourage you to get out tonight and tomorrow to support every single SNP voter to come out to the polls to vote emphatically and purposefully for a future made in Scotland.

“Vote SNP, vote for a better future, a future made in Scotland, for Scotland.”

The First Minister then joined activists on the campaign trail in Edinburgh North and Leith, where SNP candidate Deidre Brock is standing for re-election.

The polls are open on Thursday from 7am until 10pm.