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.

This blog is now closed to further comment.

Comments

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• 11. Frances Carlin - Dundee, SCOTLAND

  Wednesday, May 14, 2008 09:03

  What a year we`ve had. I`ve waited all of my life for what is happening in our great country now and it`s only the beginning. Roll on the next few years when our Scottish Government can continue with it`s achievements and prove to the Scottish people that the SNP and Independence is the only way forward for our nation to reach it`s true potential.

• 12. Bill Howat - Dumfries

  Wednesday, May 14, 2008 14:36

  As Nicola says,the time has literally flown by.I've never known a time when most people I speak to are genuinely interested and enthused about politics at a local,Scottish and UK level.And rather than take their usual sterile standpoints of left or right parrotting their respective party lines,are galvanised by a government more interested in forward or back than left or right.It's been a breath of fresh air to see someone at last looking forward in a can-do way to what can be done rather than a more typically can't-do attitude either because we're too wee,or not too bright,or it's been done before so why bother trying again.The typical Scottish cringe.As well as looking back to learn from the past how to live a better life here and now.
  I'm personally interested to see the European influences coming on board of how to do things differently rather than simply apeing America all the time,especially the Nordic examples used in healthcare and in remote development policies.
  Also glad to see the emphasis on smaller,smarter government consensually moving forward without having to legislate using 1 bill a day(as seemed to happen under previous administrations).The whole debate around outcomes and the concordat with local government is proving fascinating to watch as to how all sides will cope with the new roles and responsibilities.
  Will the next 2 to 3 years fly by as well,I wonder?

• 13. Scott Smith - Livingston

  Wednesday, May 14, 2008 21:34

  It has been mentioned that schools are to provide 2 hours of Physical Education to ALL students in their care. I would like to ask how this I possible.
  Having just about completed my Sixth Year at West Calder High School, I feel that I have gained lots from my education. However, the Scottish Government's target for PE appears to be unrealistic, as at WCHS (As in many schools) their simply is not enough physical space to house the facilities needed to accomodate the approximate 150 - 200 students that would end up in the PE department - this year there was no PE for Sixth year that had not chosen the subject due to the size of the yeargroup. This plan is flawed.
  
  PS - The independance vote should be yes or no as it currently does not allow for those opposed to it (on this I am undecided) to voice their opinions!

• 14. livilion - livingston

  Thursday, May 15, 2008 10:17

  10. Eck from Lanarkshire
  
  While I sympathise with much of what you've said, the fact that I for one am interested enough to take the time to respond to your post gives the lie that no-one is interested.
  
  I have never been involved in politics, am nearing my sixth decade and fairly sceptical about politicians as a whole, having for a time in my youth worked as a printer producing election material.
  
  I do not believe you will ever see droves of voters dumpimg old alegiances and moving over to a new position.
  
  In Scotland it is my belief that we support our political parties the way we support our football or rugby teams.
  We start as youngsters, influenced by our peers and older family members and once imprinted remain loyal till we die.
  
  When things go badly with 'our team' we stop attending, when things go better then we all return to the terraces. Same with our politics catch them young and you'll have them for life, hence the monkey with the rosette stories.
  
  I believe that you will only ever convert the uncommitted or undecided voters, the rest just 'vote with their feet' by eg staying away from the ballot when subjects such as the abolition of the 10p tax band surface.
  
  Over the period of a parliament a proportion of new young blood comes into the equation, in my view these are the electorate who provide your mass shifts, but it is slow and takes many administrations to see the long term shift.
  
  Have patience, in 1974 when the nationalist "Its Scotland's Oil" campaign was in full swing and Harold Wilson's people were telling us that an independent Scotland would soon be the next Albania or Bangladesh, who could have guessed we'd be where we are today or that Whitehall knew the truth was actually a million miles away and 180degrees opposed from what they were telling us?
  
  I feel the difference is that today the SNP in government has access to the official files and civil service statistics where now the unionist opposition do not.
  We've already heard the Shadow First Minister, now experiencing life in opposition, moved to complain about the unfairness of it all.
  
  This should make huge differences in the relative credibility of the position of the opposing constitutional arguments and the the amount of airtime alotted to the nationalist position on the mass media to put across their side of the debate.
  
  Global climate change and international banking disasters will happen whatever constitutional set up we have here, our responsibility as Scots should be to ensure that our elected representatives are in the best possible position to defend the interests of our families in Scotland.
  I 'am persuaded' we can only do that by giving them the full range of tools available to a fully functioning independent state.

• 15. Buckpool Loon - Cheshire

  Thursday, May 15, 2008 11:44

  In essence I agree with with the views expressed by Eck @ 10.
  
  With both business and property interests and having just returned from a trip to Scotland there's a palpable feeling progress, and yet it's diffecult to guage just how much of that positivism is forming into commitment.
  
  Perhaps there's more going on behind the scenes. But while the Scottish media seem to be more interested in the debacles portrayed by the so called opposition parties and the media in England -especially the BBC - seem to regard the politics of Scotland as a non event, a quiet good husbandry of Scotlands pocket money budget may not be enough to induce the peoples interest.
  
  Get LIT underway, and do not allow any freeloaders due to collection costs. This goes against the grain.
  
  Politically Westminster may be in meltdown but, as I suspect you already know, to the establishment and Whitehall it's probably just a minor storm to be weathered in order for them to retain their advantage; especially their finacial control. The SNP should use this situation to outline just how much that control disadvantages Scotland.
  
  Finally, the debacle over the past few weeks on both sides of the border, has, if nothing else, exposed the incompetence of those who once governed and are now in opposition, as far as Scotland is concerned, and those who still govern in Westminster.
  
  In all the years I have supported Scotland's independence there has never been an oppurtunity such as now. Ms Sturgeon, as far as the work load's concerned, I hope your prepared for that to be compounded year on year.
  

• 16. Dave Eastabrook - Largs, Ayrshire

  Friday, May 16, 2008 02:21

  What our government needs to do this year is produce a basic budget for an Independent Scotland. Just the main points - tax levels, thresholds and personal allowances, National Insurance, VAT rate. Duties on tobacco and drink etc. Corporation tax and employer NI - and upper earning limits if any. Bank rate!
  
  Of particular importance is fuel duty. I think if fuel duty was drastically lowered, so that petrol and diesel in Scotland matched the mean in mainland Europe, it could be a referendum and economy winner. Our transport heading south would fill up before the border, and our rural economies would be stimulated. Having raw materials and supplies delivered here for our industries would also get cheaper, good for our businesses.
  
  Paying between 111.9 and 126.9 - and more in the far north for petrol, and plus 15-20p on top for diesel - is an economy and tourism killer blow. At the outer limits of Britain and with a proportionately high geographical size comapred to population - it hits us hard.

• 17. Eck from Lanarkshire - near Glasgow

  Friday, May 16, 2008 13:40

  #10 livillion and #15 Buckpool Loon, thanks for responding. I’m always keen to see how others view this and have enjoyed both of your posts many times before – which underlines my point about the characteristics of the people frequenting this site. I don’t want to use this as a private discussion forum but I’d like to address some of the issues you raise and promote a solution.
  
  Firstly, let’s not let the SNP Government rest on their laurels, despite a good first year. Further work needs to be done before the referendum.
  
  I underline again that the Scottish Government really MUST do something to engage with the rest of the population not taking part in the National Conversation. I fear that if it fails to do so then the NC will, unfortunately, be held to have been (to précis Ms Alexander) a get together for people who are already pro Independence.
  
  Livillion, I agree that it is right to say that the SNP are now in the driving seat and that they will have better access to real data – but in the past they have been proven to be correct and it’s never really made much different to the support they have achieved.
  
  People do have a tendency to follow with party loyalties until they die. Even when faced with a choice of a party that’s reason d'être is the betterment of Scotland, or others that have a less focused commitment, voters continue to vote for unionist parties. Frankly, I can’t understand why, other than perhaps the non SNP voters might be feart!
  
  Hence the reason I advocate the SNP should explain in detail the pros and con’s of independence to the people of Scotland and address each of the constitutional arguments in an honest and open manner. But to answer these issues, they must have complete credibility.
  
  Society is increasingly critical of everyone in public life. I was born in the sixties and since then I have seen a huge change in the respect for police, teachers (and parents!) but in particular, politicians. And because of this, politicians of all parties lack credibility. We just can’t believe what they say.
  
  I had hoped the SNP would prove themselves refreshing and be completely open and straightforward when in government, even when taking a difficult stance. While they have been a vast improvement, what I’ve witnessed in interviews with SNP ministers has not always been what I’d hoped.
  
  While there will be difficulties with being ENTIRELY open and honest on everything, if the SNP do this then I feel they will encourage people to A) listen to them and B) believe them. I know it sounds naïve, but it would shock everyone and could lead to the sea change in voting patterns that is required. The SNP are the only party of government that could accomplish this as the others have way too much baggage.
  
  Alec & co are you listening?
  

• 18. Jason MacGilp - Birmingham

  Saturday, May 17, 2008 12:56

  The unravelling of British Labour is the other side of the coin to the inexorable unravellling of the concept of Britain. The UK state, civil servants and London-based media) have been suprisingly slow to adapt to the emerging realities of a confident (and popular) SNP Government in Scotland and a post-devolution Britain.
  
  
  Whilst we can all agree that Wendy Alexander's tactics and timing over the "Bring it on" referendum question was inept, it is clear that she and some of her fellow Labour MSPs recognise the historical shift that is happening in Scotland - and perhaps other parts of the UK. Readying Scottish Labour for a post independence Scotland - or even a Scotland with a much higher level of devolved powers to Holyrood - is perhaps the only game in town for an increasingly desperate Labour Party.
  
  The practical achievements, and political panache, Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon and their Government have demonstrated in its first year stand in stark contrast to the downward spiral of UK and Scottish Labour. This is not "just" about the independence issue but about which party is best placed to safeguard and advance the social democratic values that Labour used to champion. Attacks on civil liberties, ID cards, nuclear policy, subservience to American global interests, illegal wars and creeping privatisation of the NHS are what is turning people way from Labour in Scotland and the rest of the UK.
  
  The SNP is offering Scotland a new vision and a new kind of politics which could be a positive model for all the nations of Britain. Whether Scottish Labour and the "British Labour Party" can adjust in time will be interesting to watch over the next few years. With less than 30 months before the Referendum, they are running out of time
  

• 19. Ian Innes - Elgin

  Tuesday, May 20, 2008 00:23

  Westminster MPs were bullied into rejecting an amendment to the Energy Bill now going through the UK Parliament.
  
  Had it been passed it would have made it more cost effective for those generating their own renewable energy using Solar photo voltaic (solar pv) cells and wind turbines.
  
  The proposed "Feed in " tariffs (FITs), which were at the heart of the amendment, would have provided income to those generating renewable electricity which can be fed into the grid.
  
  Germany has gone green to the tune of 17% of electricity generated.
  
  This has been achieved partly through the fact that FITs have encouraged more and more Germans to install solar pvs and wind turbines.
  
  In the absence of the FIT incentive the green electricity generated in the UK is a mere 2%.
  
  Despite the fact that the amendment had the support of climate change experts, learned institutions, environmental groups and representatives of commercial organisations, the Westminster government justified its action on the grounds that it was proposing to carry out a renewable energy consultation sometime in the future.
  
  Holyrood can make no such excuse. It has just recently completed a period of consultation with business and the public having been invited to participate.
  
  One can only hope that given the urgency in finding a solution to climate change words will soon translate into action.
  
  Because of the latitude in which it finds itself Scotland is well placed to optomise the contribution solar pvs and wind turbines can make to its electricity needs over the seasonal cycle. ie windy winters on the one hand and long daylight hours in summer.

• 20. John Melrose - Largs

  Wednesday, May 21, 2008 18:38

  The sooner we get rid of the Westminster millstone from round our necks the better. then set tax and fuel duty for scots and see the prices tumble

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