This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6516651.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fighting crime tops Tory agenda Goldie rejects Holyrood coalition
(20 minutes later)
The Scottish Conservative Party has promised a £1bn "crusade against crime and drugs" as part of the launch of its Holyrood manifesto. Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie has ruled out entering into any coalition with rival parties after the Holyrood election in May.
The party also pledged to deliver on issues which "mattered to voters", including public services, and promised to be the "voice of the people". She made the announcement as the Tories launched their manifesto which included a £1bn, four-year drive to cut drugs and crime.
Tory plans also include sweeping changes to education and moves to improve transport and the economy. She said a coalition government had failed in Scotland and that people wanted to know what parties stood for.
Also on the manifesto agenda were ambitious plans to improve transport. The party pledged to deliver on issues which "mattered to voters".
At its core, is our pledge to the Scottish people to defeat drugs and cut crime - an ambitious and tough challenge, but one that must be relentlessly pursued Annabel GoldieScottish Conservative Party leader class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/6516457.stm">Tory manifesto: At-a-glance The manifesto was launched in the Borders.
Other big ideas included 1,500 extra police on the beat - plus tougher sentences for persistent repeat offenders. Plans include sweeping changes to education and moves to improve transport and the economy.
Our manifesto policy commitments are not for sale in any post-election horse trading process Annabel GoldieScottish Conservative leader Tory manifesto: At-a-glance
The party said it would boost transport by looking into high-speed rail links and would plough £30m a year into upgrading Scotland's key roads.
Other proposals include the building of a new private prison, 1,500 extra police on the beat plus tougher sentences for persistent repeat offenders.
On drugs, the party said it would spend £100m each year helping people kick their habit, while clamping down hard on dealers.On drugs, the party said it would spend £100m each year helping people kick their habit, while clamping down hard on dealers.
The manifesto has also set out plans to help poorer families get homes and give more control to head teachers in schools.The manifesto has also set out plans to help poorer families get homes and give more control to head teachers in schools.
The party said it would also boost transport by looking into high-speed rail links and would plough £30m a year into upgrading Scotland's key roads. Ms Goldie said: "Our manifesto policy commitments are not for sale in any post-election horse trading process since other parties can cobble up deals behind closed doors.
READ THE MANIFESTO Scottish Conservative manifesto [179KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereREAD THE MANIFESTO Scottish Conservative manifesto [179KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Party leader Annabel Goldie said the May election presented a stark choice between devolution or isolation, while committing her party to making Holyrood work better for the people of Scotland. "The Scottish Conservatives will enter into no pacts and no coalitions. We will operate on an issue-by-issue, case-by-case basis and do what's right for Scotland."
"I want to be absolutely clear with the Scottish people about what the Scottish Conservatives are offering at this election," she said. Instead, the party will back individual legislative proposals brought forward by other parties which they can support without entering into any kind of formal ruling partnership.
"At its core, is our pledge to the Scottish people to defeat drugs and cut crime - an ambitious and tough challenge, but one that must be relentlessly pursued in a way that has never been done by any party, at any time, in Scotland." "I think what we've seen is eight years of fudge, compromise, dodging issues and frankly reducing everything to the lowest common political denominator," Ms Goldie said.
"That has failed Scotland. I think it's time for a fresh approach."
Ms Goldie said the £1bn pledge to fight drugs over the next four years was a landmark commitment.
"This is the biggest assault on crime and drugs ever seen in Scotland and it is long overdue," she said.