What did we learn from Swinney's plan for the year?

by Morgan
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John Swinney's programme for government marks a year to go until the Holyrood election, and will likely define the shape of the campaign.

The first minister brought forward the set-piece speech from September in a bid to set up a "year of delivery" ahead of that crucial vote.

What did we learn from the speech, and how will it dictate what happens over the rest of the Scottish Parliament term?

Swinney aims for quick wins

The statement included a number of flagship policies which Swinney will no doubt base his election campaign on next year.

The SNP is already posting social media pictures of him posing at a train station, following the announcement that peak rail fares are to be scrapped (again).

Scrapping the two-child cap was the big announcement of the budget last year, one which struck a particular blow in the SNP's contest with Labour.

And with the NHS sure to be key in the debate to come – Anas Sarwar reliably brings it up every single Thursday – widening access to GP appointments is also an eye-catching move.

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The new plan includes scrapping peak rail fares from September

What all of these measures have in common is that they can likely be delivered using existing powers, without having to spend time drafting legislation and pushing it through parliament.

Lifting the alcohol ban on trains falls into the same category, although the move to suspend the free bus passes of young people guilty of anti-social behaviour seems less certain in its form or timescale.

These policies essentially amount to quick wins, popular ideas that Mr Swinney can spend time campaigning about rather than worrying about whipping up votes.

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