A BIG general election win for the SNP would let Scotland reject the "slash and burn" economics of austerity imposed by the Coalition thanks to new powers, Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday.
Three months from the vote on May 7, the First Minister said Westminster's austerity agenda had "failed utterly" as she campaigned in Glasgow Central with SNP candidate Alison Thewliss.
Ms Sturgeon said: "This week's budget from Deputy First Minister John Swinney showed that where we have the power, the Scottish Government continues to invest in public services, create jobs and boost economic growth in the face of unprecedented cuts from Westminster. With full economic powers we could deliver even more."
With the latest polling analysis predicting a Labour-SNP alliance as the most likely outcome of the election, Sturgeon said a strong team of SNP MPs would demand further economic powers for Holyrood and demand Westminster backtracked on austerity and invested more in growth.
"In Scotland, only the SNP can be the force for change in this election - halting Trident renewal, and diverting the billions saved to health, education and childcare - and working to deliver progressive politics across the UK."
Earlier, Sturgeon addressed a meeting of the SNP's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) wing, Out for Independence, at which she said SNP MPs would lobby for a new Foreign Office special envoy to promote gay rights as part of UK foreign policy, and idea also advocated by Labour and other parties.
The US Congress recently introduced legislation to appoint such a diplomatic post in the State Department to help prevent LGBTI discrimination.
Recalling her pride at attending a same sex marriages in December, Sturgeon said: "Too many LGBTI people in too many countries still face the most extreme forms or prejudice and hate - our voice must be one of those arguing and advocating for equality, tolerance and love."
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