General Election: 100 Day Countdown

There's just 100 days to go until the general election and MSPs are stepping up their campaigning from today.

The main political parties at Holyrood will set out their priorities for the next five years.

Polls suggest the SNP could gain 40 seats in May.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats will meet voters on the doorstep today.

Leader and Fife MSP Willie Rennie said:
 
"Liberal Democrat teams around the country work hard all year round but with 100 days until voters head to the polls it is now all systems go for the general election.
 
"Labour are in denial over their role in the economic crisis and want to borrow their way out of debt. The Tories will only ever stand up for the wealthy and want to cut our public services to the bone. The SNP may try to pretend otherwise, but people know they took their eye off the ball during the referendum and will always put securing independence first.
 
"Only the Liberal Democrats can deliver the stronger economy and fairer society that we want to see and help provide opportunity for everyone.
 
"Over five years in government we have delivered an £800 for more than 2 million Scots. We have secured more free childcare for families across Scotland and boosted investment in the NHS which has meant more funds to protect health services in Scotland. That is the record we will be taking to doorsteps around the country over the next 100 days and when people open the door to us they are listening to what we have to say."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens are stepping up the case for an end to austerity.

They're expected to stand in around 30 of Scotland's 59 Westminster constituencies.

Peter McColl, Scottish Green candidate for Edinburgh East, said:

"We've seen in Greece that there is a huge appetite for a break with the old politics of austerity and cuts. In 100 days we get the opportunity to take our country in a different direction.

"Greens have always argued against austerity, in favour of reindustrialising our economy through renewables and clean energy and for public services in public hands. Greens will transform our transport network by nationalising the railways. We will create thousands of well-paid jobs creating a secure and clean energy system and we will stop any further privatisation."

Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said:

"Whether it's fracking, publicly-owned railways or the unfair TTIP trade deal, it's clear we're connecting with voters on key issues, with the other parties hurrying out new positions in response. Greens across the UK have long challenged the Westminster consensus on austerity; our vision of an economy with good jobs, better wages and strong public services is gaining momentum as we head towards an election like no other.

"Given Labour's decision to support the Coalition's charter for cuts, it's never been more important to get more Green MPs onto the Commons' green benches."

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said:
 
"In 100 days Scotland can help end Tory rule across the UK. The opinion polls show that this general election is neck and neck between Labour and the Tories. It looks like the closest election for decades and Scotland can decide whether David Cameron stays or goes. 

"Scotland is changing, and Scottish Labour is changing with it. It's a fresh start for Scottish Labour and the path to a better nation runs through May 7th and getting the Tories out.
 
"Only the biggest party after the general election can form a government. In the referendum whether you were Yes or whether you were No, most Scots know it's time for the Tories to go.
 
"Only Labour is big enough and strong enough to defeat David Cameron. Scotland can protest against the Tories by voting for any party but only Labour can replace them.
 
"A vote for the SNP risks five more years of the Tories, five more years of misery on our most vulnerable, and five more years of wasted opportunities for our young people.
 
"A Labour government will change Scotland, and the whole UK, for the better. We will tax the bonuses of bankers in London to guarantee a job for every young person in Scotland. We will use a UK wide Mansion tax on properties worth over £2 million to deliver better funding for our NHS.
 
"Labour believes those who can afford to pay a bit more to support our schools and hospitals should, that is why we would introduce a 50p top rate of tax on the highest earners.
 
"We will make work pay, by increasing the minimum wage and banning exploitative zero hour contracts, and we'll encourage more employers to pay better, with tax incentives to pay the living wage.
 
"In 100 days we can choose progress over protest by sending Scottish Labour MPs to help form a UK Labour government."