Stop Early Release and Send Prisoners to Foreign Jails
Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has unveiled the party's 2026 manifesto for the upcoming Holyrood election. The manifesto, spanning 96 pages, outlines a series of commitments, including significant changes to the criminal justice system.
The Conservatives propose a "three-convictions-and-it's-jail" policy targeting serial shoplifters and individuals involved in anti-social behaviour. They advocate for tougher sentences for sex offenders and mandatory life terms for child rapists. Furthermore, a "no body, no parole" rule would be introduced for killers who refuse to disclose the whereabouts of their victims. Whole life tariffs would ensure that certain murderers remain incarcerated for life.
Automatic early release for all prisoners would be abolished under these plans. To address prison overcrowding, the party intends to fast-track the construction of new "no frills" prisons and expand existing facilities.
In a notable policy inspired by Sweden, which has an agreement to send up to 600 prisoners to a jail in Estonia, the Scottish Conservatives suggest a similar approach. Sweden pays £7,395 monthly per prisoner in Estonia, compared to £3,928 for housing inmates in Swedish prisons. If Scotland adopted this model, it would represent an 88% increase in cost per prisoner sent abroad. Transporting 600 prisoners overseas would cost approximately £53 million annually, excluding human rights considerations.
This approach offers an alternative to the SNP government's strategy of early prisoner release to manage overcrowding. While initially more cost-effective than building new prisons, the proposal carries a substantial price tag. The Conservatives assert that these measures will protect communities and deliver justice for victims, though critics argue that Scotland already imprisons too many individuals.
Deliver Faster GP Appointments
The manifesto includes ambitious NHS promises with significant financial implications. Proposals include establishing "Super Saturdays" for routine operations, expanding access to weight-loss medications, and guaranteeing GP appointments within 48 hours.
To achieve this, the Conservatives plan to double the proportion of the health budget allocated to family doctors. However, given that many GPs are booked weeks in advance and manage increasingly complex cases, the feasibility of rapidly recruiting staff and expanding capacity remains uncertain.
To reduce waiting lists, five national treatment centres, currently on hold, would be constructed with £70 million allocated to increase NHS capacity. Notably, the projected cost of one centre in Livingston exceeds £180 million.
The party opposes existing policies on Minimum Unit Pricing and neonatal service reconfiguration. While some strategies differ, many broader themes align with ongoing healthcare debates.
Review ASN Pupils in Mainstream Schools
The Conservatives aim to "raise school standards" by abolishing Curriculum for Excellence, ensuring pupils master times tables, and empowering headteachers to permanently exclude disruptive students.
Of particular interest is the commitment to review the mainstreaming approach for children with additional support needs (ASN). The party acknowledges that ASN pupils "must be supported in the classroom" but argues that the "presumption of mainstreaming" has led to unmet learning needs and increased disruptive behaviour.
Mainstreaming was introduced over twenty years ago to foster inclusivity and improve outcomes for both ASN pupils and their peers. Since then, the ASN population in Scotland has grown substantially, now comprising 43% of pupils. Several reports have highlighted insufficient resources to support ASN students in mainstream settings.
Oppose a Second Independence Referendum
Russell Findlay reiterates the Scottish Conservatives' longstanding opposition to a second independence referendum. Historically, positioning the party as a counter to nationalist ambitions has been electorally advantageous. However, with constitutional issues ranking lower among voter priorities, the effectiveness of this tactic remains uncertain.
Cut Scotland's 'Bloated' Benefits Bill
Following the devolution of certain welfare benefits from Westminster to Holyrood over the past decade, the Scottish Conservatives describe Scotland's benefits expenditure as "bloated," with "light-touch reviews" leading to £10 billion in annual spending.
The party proposes a two-child limit on the Scottish Child Payment, introduced in 2021. This payment, initially £10 per week per child under 16 for eligible families, has increased to £28. The Tories suggest restricting this benefit to the first two children only.
Additional proposals include limiting Discretionary Housing Payments, which were introduced to mitigate the UK's "bedroom tax" from the 2010s. The manifesto also pledges to reinstate the UK's former Cold Weather Payment for pensioners, replaced by Social Security Scotland, linking it to average temperatures.
Moreover, the Conservatives echo Reform Scotland's proposals to reinstate "local connection" criteria for homelessness applicants, associating the issue with asylum seekers and housing shortages in Glasgow.
Free Up Money for Council Services
The manifesto does not suggest radical changes to council finance, such as abolishing council tax. Instead, it proposes allocating councils a fixed proportion of the Scottish government's budget, with annual increases aligned to the overall government budget growth.
The party also advocates granting councils greater autonomy over spending, reducing the current requirement to allocate funds to specific objectives agreed with Holyrood.
Specific proposals include establishing a pothole fund and providing funds to eliminate certain council car park charges. The practical impact of these proposals will depend on implementation details.
New Assessments for Disability Benefits
Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland four years ago, can be claimed alongside employment income. Between March 2022 and January 2026, £6.1 billion has been disbursed in ADP benefits.
Currently, approximately 498,000 individuals receive ADP, with 40% claiming for Mental and Behavioural disorders. The Conservatives describe the current system as "unaffordable, unfair, and unsustainable," proposing stricter eligibility criteria by introducing assessments for mental health conditions.
The manifesto estimates potential savings of £2 billion annually by the end of the parliamentary term. The party positions itself as willing to make difficult decisions, though it remains to be seen whether this stance will resonate with nearly half a million ADP recipients.
Scrap 2045 Net Zero Target
One notable manifesto pledge challenges the UK's commitment to achieving "net zero" greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Conservatives argue that the costs of addressing climate change, such as green heating and electric vehicles, are unaffordable for Scotland.
Consequently, the party commits to abolishing Scotland's target of reaching net zero by 2045, five years ahead of the UK's overall goal. This target was recommended by the independent Climate Change Committee, citing Scotland's capacity for increased tree planting to absorb carbon dioxide.
Importantly, the 2045 target does not require Scottish households to adopt green technologies faster than those in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. However, since the targets for the UK's home nations are interconnected, Scotland missing its 2045 goal would jeopardize the UK's 2050 target, potentially placing the UK behind most developed countries in climate ambition.
