Darling: "Scotland forward not back"

Labour has launched its Scottish manifesto, promising to take the nation "forward, not back".

Much of the UK Labour manifesto, launched on Wednesday, concerns matters that are devolved to the Scottish parliament, necessitating a separate launch for Scotland.

Major policy differences north of the border include the NHS, where the Scottish Executive is less enthusiastic about foundation hospitals. There are also differences over the provision of long-term personal care free of charge for the elderly.

Launching the manifesto, Scotland secretary Alistair Darling highlighted plans to create full employment.

"The economy is at the centre of this campaign and everything that the Scottish Executive has been able to do - whether on health, education or increasing police numbers - has been because of increased public expenditure which was only possible because of Gordon Brown's stewardship of the economy," he said.

"Overall, the Scottish economy draws immense strength from the UK economy and of course the UK economy has been growing very strongly over the last seven or eight years.

"A key indicator of this growth is the fact that in Scotland we have more people in work as a percentage of our population than the rest of the United Kingdom."

"The economy is at the centre of this campaign and everything that the Scottish Executive has been able to do - whether on health, education or increasing police numbers - has been because of increased public expenditure which was only possible because of Gordon Brown's stewardship of the economy," he said.

Darling added that the challenge for the future is to "make sure we get a greater proportion of people in work - that means strong economic growth and working with the Scottish Executive on improving education".

"There is a lot more to do and that is why we are seeking a mandate for a third term to do it in," he added.

SNP focus on health

Meanwhile, the SNP was focusing on the NHS in Scotland, with a pledge to train more doctors and phase out prescription charges.

Nationalist deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said that improving the NHS would be a top priority for the party.

"We all know the NHS could be in better health," she said.

"The staff are doing a great job, but the people in charge – the Labour/Liberal executive – have failed to deliver.

"We know Scottish Labour has failed when Tony Blair comes to Scotland and talks about the English health service.

"The SNP plans key changes to put the NHS back on track. We will train 100 more doctors every year and phase out prescription charging, which is nothing less than a tax on health – starting with people with chronic illnesses."

Straw's Africa pledge

Meanwhile Jack Straw made a speech in Stirling on Wednesday night, focusing on international issues and seeking to move the agenda away from Iraq in the run-up to May's poll.

Promising to build a "fair and better society at home and abroad", the foreign secretary detailed the government's achievements on securing a UN resolution on Darfur, leading the global efforts against climate change, and helping to create the International Criminal Court.

The speech failed to even mention Labour's biggest and most controversial international policy – the war in Iraq.

Straw appealed to traditionally internationalist Labour voters, reminding them of the government's commitment to debt relief and international development.

"We are unapologetic and proud of our commitment to Africa," he said.

"Given that we are into an election campaign, I can contrast this with our Conservative opponents. Their manifesto, launched on Monday, makes not a single reference to Africa.

"In government, Michael Howard and the Conservatives halved the proportion of national income going into international development from 0.51 per cent to 0.26 per cent.

"Theirs is a recipe for international isolation and weakness. With Labour, Britain is a force for good in the world. Let us not lose this moment of great hope for the people of Africa and beyond."