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.
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