The Scottish Government

The Scottish Government - one year on

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

A year in Government is a long time, believe me. But when you are at the heart of it all, the time really flies.

There genuinely is so much to do, and so little time in which to do it.

But as we celebrate the first anniversary of the election that brought this Government to power we can look back with a sense of satisfaction on some significant achievements.

• Keeping health services local and retaining A&E units at Ayr and Monklands
• Reducing prescription fees
• Cutting business rates
• Ending tolls on all road bridges
• Restoring the principle of free education

Looking ahead, this Government faces challenges and opportunities in equal measure. Everything we do is aimed at making Scotland's economy grow. We have a coherent economic strategy in place, and an agreed Budget.

The concordats agreed with local government have allowed us to freeze Council Tax this year, but the radical proposals for a Local Income Tax should mean a fairer deal for all - based on ability to pay.

Big infrastructure improvements are planned at the new Forth crossing and the Aberdeen by-pass while we are going ahead with the building of a new hospital in the south of Glasgow

Someone will win the £10 million Saltire Prize, the world's leading initiative on marine renewable energy, and when that happens it will be another small victory in the war against the effects of climate change.

And economic health cannot be divorced from the physical health of the nation. There is a pressing need to tackle Scotland's chronic alcohol problem and the emerging epidemic of childhood obesity.

Not least amongst all these things is the ongoing National Conversation on Scotland's constitutional future that has been played out on these pages and elsewhere over the last nine months.

This Government was elected because it had a positive vision of the future. For the voters it was an act of trust, and we want to repay that trust by renewing our commitment to serve the public interest.

Ultimately, it is the people who will decide what kind of country they want to live in, and what kind of Government there will be.

In my previous blog I wrote that being a member of this Government had convinced me more than ever of the need for change to allow Scotland to fulfil her ambition and potential.

The election a year ago was the a first step towards that necessary change. It has been a long journey since then, but a quick one, and a rewarding one.

The coming year will be another step along the way. The time really is flying.

Comments

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• 1. Paul - Edinburgh

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:46

  1 year on and the political atmosphere in Scotland is 'electric' THANKS to a SNP Government! 50 years of single party rule in Scotland has decimated this country and all but destroyed political thought - especially with the youth. WELL DONE the SNP in showing that governments CAN make a difference with the will to make things better for the people of Scotland and NOT just ensuring that they remain in power.
  
  I look forward to the national debate by the people of Scotland on Independence - NOT the hand picked 'parcel o' rogues' of the Labour 'review'.

• 2. Thomas Porter - Scotland, Aberdeen

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 11:56

  The Scottish Nationalist Party has indeed brought much to Scotland in the past year.
  
  I am also looking forward to this year and I am interested to know what the SNP can bring to Scotland.
  
  What I am more keen on knowing is what the SNP will bring to Scotland before the referendum.
  
  I presume you lot shall be saving the best for last?

• 3. livilion - livingston

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 12:10

  Happy Birthday To the SNP Government.
  
  I'm feeling good, and feeling better for the recent contribution of your official opposition.
  
  Just checked the date to see if it wasn't also Christmas aswell.
  
  An independence referendum assured by the Shadow First Minister in 2010 and a UK General Election, and a tram to the seaside?
  Pinch me, I mush be dreaming.
  
  As my old Da would say: gaun yirsell!

• 4. Anthony Martin - Glasgow

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 12:22

  I congratulate the Scottish Government's achievements to date with the exception of one area. I, along with thousands others, were bitterly disappointed on the u-turn in regard to Stobhill Hospital, despite the statements made before the election. That will rankle for a long time to come.

• 5. Frank - Highland

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 14:13

  You state that there is a pressing need to tackle Scotland's chronic alcohol problem. In a recent interview your colleague Mr Kenny Macaskill claimed to have consumed "3 pints of Tennants cooking lager and a glass of wine" in an evening. As you will be aware this falls within the definition of binge drinking given by the NHS. Is it appropriate for a self confessed binge drinker to be part of a Scottish Executive (Scotland Act 1998 s.44) committed to solving Scotland's chronic alcohol problem?
  By the way I wish to contribute to this national conversation by confirming that I am proud to be Scottish and British, wish to remain so, and would prefer the Scottish parliament to be abolished as soon as possible. Have you got that? Thanks very much.

• 6. Ged Mitchell - London

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 14:31

  I have to agree with most of what you are saying in the blog and you have my full backing; although there is very little I can do to help the SNP while living in London. This has never stopped me from constantly singing our country's praises to all and sundry.However, (there always seems to be an 'However') I am not totally convinced on the scientists' theory that there is global warming caused by man. If you check the history of weather in this planet of ours then you will find that temperatures rise and fall and have been doing so long before Homo Sapien Sapiens inhabited this planet. As for the graphs that scientists love to produce to back their pet theories, remember what was attributed to Mark Twain: 'there are three types of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics'. I am wary of those graphs and the resulting monies that would have to be spent to follow a scientific trend. The money would be better spent buying back the highlands from those landlords who keep vast tracts of our lands for the purpose of grouse shooting. Buy them back and re-forest them! Good luck.
  Fae an SNP supporter for over thirty five years.

• 7. Dave Eastabrook - Largs, Ayrshire

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 15:44

  It's been a Scottish year.
  
  Looking forward to this next Scottish year.

• 8. r allan - west lothian

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 17:22

  It has been a year of stable, credible government - a government that stands up for Scotland's interests - about time! Well done to our SNP government for breathing new life and great excitement into Scottish politics and for putting the Scottish interest before self interest, unlike your predecessors.Now is Scotland's time.

• 9. Stephen McKerron - Aberdeen

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 18:03

  What a year!............lets hope we get the referendum we so badly need to consign this outdated union to the bin.

• 10. Eck from Lanarkshire - Near Glasgow

  Tuesday, May 13, 2008 20:00

  Okay, we are one year on and the SNP Government can hold up some fine examples of things that have been accomplished.
  
  But the opposition parties, as frequently demonstrated by Ms Alexander, can also press the SNP Government on “broken promises” – things not accomplished.
  
  In balance, a fair minded person should recognise, as indicated in the polls (and as the presiding officer might agree!) that there is currently a “feel good factor” within Scotland, based on the undoubted successes of the new government.
  
  But the bad news is that despite dreadfully - sorry, *Embarrassingly* - weak opposition, the Labour party imploding (both in Scotland and Westminster) and the “fortunate” publicity to bring the value of North Sea Oil into the formulae, I have seen no indication of vast numbers of voters ditching their long held beliefs and flocking towards the SNP’s views on independence. Sure, some have, but not enough, I fear.
  
  Negative views towards independence still seem entrenched and with the mass media, particularly the Sun and the Record, advocating that Scotland would crash’n’burn if it ever “split from the UK”, I see little hope of the SNP EVER being able to persuade the very significant hard core of voters that the benefits of independence would outweigh the costs.
  
  It is essential that these voters are engaged with and presented with the unassailable truth of the costs and benefits, consequences and advantages that an independent Scotland would bring.
  
  Sadly, the National Conversation has proven to be limited in its success and, let’s be honest, only a certain type of person will engage via the internet or attend meetings – apart from the odd loon, fairly well educated or informed and many of whom already support the SNP.
  
  In my view, while the National Conversation could have been a great/essential tool, it is now stalled and going nowhere. It needs revitalised. Please do something about it!
  
  Even someone like me, who is profoundly interested in the subject, could not bring themselves to find the time to engage in a local meeting where Nicola Sturgeon was presenting. How many others are like me - or even less interested, or would never attend as they hold the completely opposite views to the SNP?
  
  What is needed is something that will capture the imagination of the masses of entrenched pro-union voters (unionist is too unkind a word) and let them reflect and consider their views. That can only be done through fair reporting by the mass media. And it’s disheartening, but a fair media is not likely to appear this side of the next ice age.
  
  Could the imminent global economic “hiccup” be the catalyst that can be used to show ALL voters the advantages of independence…or depressingly, will it prove that these voters may be persuaded that the security of the union is worth having?
  
  Interesting times!
  

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