Scotland is a country full of potential. From our unique environment to our fantastic businesses and workers – we have so much to give to the world.
But the harsh truth is that for the last 17 years, Scotland has been held back by a failing SNP government. We cannot have economic growth without strong public services. And we cannot deliver better living conditions and social mobility if people are struggling to get by.
Increasing prosperity is impossible if people do not have access to healthcare or safe housing. But the fact is that in SNP Scotland in 2024, this is far from guaranteed.
Just this week, we saw two clear examples of how SNP incompetence is holding Scots back and making life harder for people across the country. On Wednesday, the Institute for Fiscal Studies published a devastating report on the state of Scotland’s NHS under the SNP.
Most damningly, they point out that although the NHS in Scotland has proportionally higher spending and more staff, recovery in Scotland’s health service is lagging behind the NHS in England. At the same time, it was revealed that the number of patients stuck on an NHS waiting list for over a year has risen to more than 100,000.
There are now more than 863,000 patients on an NHS waiting list – equivalent to 1 in 6 Scots, and we are carrying out 50,000 fewer operations compared to pre-pandemic levels. On the SNP’s watch, our NHS has been plunged into a doom loop of soaring waiting lists and poorer health outcomes.
But it is not the only crisis we face. Despite being forced into calling a housing emergency earlier this year, it was revealed on Tuesday that 242 Scots lost their lives while sleeping rough last year.
This is a national scandal. But rather than taking action, this SNP government deludes itself that it has a ‘good track record’ on tackling homelessness.
All that, while thousands of children are being raised in B&Bs and rents spiral ever higher for hardworking Scots. It is becoming clearer day by day that John Swinney and his SNP government are out of their depth, out of ideas and completely out of touch with the reality facing thousands of Scots.
Scotland needs change – and that change is already on its way. With the SNP heavily defeated at the general election, and now suffering 18 by-election defeats in a row, it is clear that Scots are sick and tired with their incompetence.
That’s why I will work tirelessly ahead of the next Scottish parliament election to give Scots an alternative government that works for them. A government that gets our NHS back on track, which tackles the scourge of homelessness, which unlocks economic growth and makes our schools once more the envy of the world.
A government that doesn’t just pay lip service to Scotland’s potential, but that makes Scotland the best country in the world to live, grow up in and work in. A fairer, more dynamic and thriving Scotland – that’s the new direction we need.
Inter-faith summit
Scotland is a country rich in diversity and filled with powerful communities.
That’s why it was an honour to host an inter-faith summit in Glasgow on Friday – with representatives from Scotland’s Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh communities in attendance.
From social justice at home to peace abroad, there is so much that people of all faiths and none agree on and so much that we can do together now to make Scotland the fairer country we all want to see.
People from various faiths have been at the heart of Scotland’s progress and continue to play vital roles in our public services, businesses and public life.
This summer, amidst the turmoil of far-right riots, we saw faith communities banding together to support each other in the face of bigotry and violence.
It is on all of us to foster a language of respect and dialogue both between faith groups and towards those who have no religious faith to ensure that everyone feels that they are a valued and respected member of society.
As Scottish Labour leader, I want to be clear that people of all faiths and none have so much to contribute to our society and I want to work with everyone to deliver the new direction Scotland needs.
St Andrew’s Day
This St Andrew’s Day bank holiday, I want to send the best wishes of Scottish Labour to all celebrating here in Scotland and around the world.
Scotland is not just our home – it is a country of unique potential and ingenuity.
Let’s resolve to work across political divisions to make Scotland the best country in the world.
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