SNP marks 'year of achievement'
The first year of SNP government has breathed new life into Scottish democracy and delivered for our great public services.
We know that we have faced some substantial challenges - as is clear from the Grangemouth industrial action this weekend.
Others have been the Glasgow airport attack and the serious implications for rural Scotland of the Foot and Mouth outbreak south of the Border. But all nations face problems.
The issue is how we cope with them and stay focused on the key task of building a prosperous economy and rich society.
My pledge a year ago was to lead a government exclusively in the Scottish national interest.
As a minority administration we must build alliances both inside and outside the parliament in order to take forward a progressive programme for Scotland.
We must govern through strength of argument, not strength of numbers.
In terms of the economy, health, education and local services, the Scottish Government are delivering on the people's priorities.
Earlier this month, many of our key measures took effect. These included freezing the Council Tax to deliver relief for hard-pressed households, cutting business rates to boost the economy and jobs, abolishing prescription charges in this 60th anniversary year of the NHS and scrapping the graduate endowment to restore free education in Scotland.
We have saved vital accident and emergency units at Ayr and Monklands, scrapped the tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, delivered a new skills strategy and are funding 1000 more police officers in Scotland's communities.
We look forward to continuing to deliver for the people of Scotland - building on the natural and competitive advantages our nation is blessed with.
For example, given that Scotland has a quarter of Europe's marine energy potential, we launched the "Saltire Prize" during Scotland Week in the States - the world's largest innovation award for marine renewables.
It was hailed by National Geographic as a prime example of how a small country can make a big impact on a global challenge.
We are developing a new life sciences institute in Dundee, where Scotland can be a world leader in this cutting edge technology of the future.
I firmly believe that as the SNP deliver good government in the devolved areas and secure the trust of the people, so we will build the case for Scotland to be governed equally well in all areas.
The polls show support for independence now edging ahead-reversing a 15 point gap last summer.
We can maintain this momentum by continuing to deliver successful government and positive policies for Scotland.
Support for independence and equality for Scotland is on the increase, as is the SNP's poll ratings. The key factor is our solid record of delivery in office.
The challenges are clear and we are certainly not immune from global financial problems.
But I believe we have the skills, resources and opportunities to prosper.
The Scots economy is in better shape than many other areas.
We have had two successive quarters where the Scottish economic growth has outpaced the rest of the UK.
We have the highest employment rates in history, strong retail sales figures and business confidence and a housing market which is maintaining its value.
The most successful nations in the world are small, independent countries and Scotland has an enormous potential to succeed.
Scotland has a bright future as an independent nation.
The key democratic issue is the people's right to choose that future in a referendum.
The SNP Government trusts the people and their right to choose our nation's future.
That is a key reason why people trust the SNP in government, as we prepare to mark our first year in office.
Roads
You were correct in raising an objection to the Edinburgh Tram Project. It is a total waste of money, and benefits only Edinburgh. The money would have been better spent in dualling the road from Perth to Inverness, and the road from Glasgow to Fort William.This would have had the effect of opening up the Scotland that exists north of Stirling, and would as a result truly make us one nation. The economic benefits would be enormous not just to the obvious like tourism, but to industries which would surely open up along the routes.
Attitudes
Reflections
A year on and the feel-good factor among the Scottish People is continuing as the break with the dead hand of Labour becomes even more apparent.
It was a long honeymoon period but that has passed and the SNP are now being seen as the natural party of power in Scotland. Even better yet to come.
Bill Kidd MSP
Early Years Education
Much has been achieved during this first year and we all look forward with confidence to further improvements in public services.
A key issue for me was the SNP's concern at the removal by some Local Authorities of class teachers from Nursery Schools and the SNP's committment to reverse this position.
A Smarter Scotland is a key priority and to achieve this we must ensure our children receive the best possible start to their education.
I look forward to the promises made during the election campaign by those who are now cabinet ministers, coming to fruition soon.
Eddien
Eddien
It would be a masive achivement, and future outlook , if the revenue from our natural resorces, such as Oil, Gas, Hydro Electricity, and Water, be controlled by the Scottish Government in Edinburgh. This I believe could be the basis of funding our Independance.
Reflections
The refocusing and blending of the efforts of Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and our Local Authorities augurs well for a more coordinated and collegiate approach to Economic Development.
And in addition to that and the very material effect of the Small Business Bonus, we have also worked directly with a most key sectors of the economy, where we have listened and helped them achieve a new more cooperative approach between private sector companies and amongst the private, public and voluntary sectors. This is already producing positive results in terms of growth and businesses appreciation that we will spare not effort to sustainably grow our economy.
Jim Mather MSP
Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism
Year of achievement
What a year of real solid achievement and progress delivering for the Scottish people. No one ever said it would be quiet with the SNP in Government I look forward to turning up the volume over the next few years. Yes it's hard work being in Government but for the SNP Government that old saying of work makes you healthy could not be more true.
This is only the beginning we must now establish ourselves as a truly national government of Scotland serving all the people of our nation.
Bruce Crawford MSP
Minister for Parliamentary Business
As Alex Salmond said the
As Alex Salmond said the day after last year’s elections, things have changed for good and for the better.
The election of an SNP Government demonstrated that there could be another way of doing things. The performance of the SNP Government since has demonstrated that there is another way doing things. It is these very simple truths that are the most important and enduring aspects of our first year in Government.
We would do well to look carefully at the performance of Labour in the last year and reflect that the way they look to us today is how the SNP looked to many Scots in years gone by. Our sustained positive campaign was the key to winning power and, now that we have it, we must never allow ourselves to be tempted to return to the lazy, bankrupt language of the dispossessed and the never-have-possessed. That is now Labour’s domain and they are welcome to it.
Angela Constance MSP
THANK YOU TO THE SNP
I have wanted to have an SNP Government all of my life. However even I could not have forseen how quickly benefits would have been provided to my Country.
Here we have a political party that actually does have the Contry's interests at heart.
Thank you to the First Minister and his fellow Ministers and other members for working so very hard for Scotland.
Moran Taing,
Colin.
Reflections
Abolition of student fees and a return to free education, expansion of local democracy with the ending of ring-fencing for councils, consultation on a fair local taxation system, ending tax on ill-health with the phasing out of prescription charges.
They said we could not win, and if we did win that the sky would fall on our heads. We won, the sky remains where the sky is meant to be, and a fairer Scotland is being built. But not only are we building a better Scotland, we are winning the argument for independence. All in all, not a bad year.
Bill Wilson MSP
Reflections
Since the SNP formed the government a year ago, there has been one highlight after another! On top of the election of Alex Salmond as First Minister and the launch of the national conversation on independence, one thing stands out for me personally.
As a student, I campaigned hard for the free university education, so it was an honour and privilege as an SNP MSP to vote for exactly that. This policy, and all the others such as reduced prescription charges and the council tax freeze show that the SNP in government is working for Scotland.
Jamie Hepburn MSP
Transport
I agree that the continuing of the Edinburgh tram project is a disappointment; half a billion pounds to replace the number 22 bus is simply madness.
We must not only think about improving transport links within Scotland. Scottish business must trade, we need much better road and rail links with Engand; remember this is the gateway to the European market. Also the capital's airport must be improved and international arrivals and departures must grow. A capital city has to be accesible to the world.
Martyn
SNP Marks Year of Achievement
After one year of the new SNP Government there is a mood of optimism and energy in the air that comes from the confidence of a government that always puts Scotland’s interests first. Things are improving and could be changed even further with more powers. As people see the difference that can be made by a Government which looks only to itself and to its own people the desire for more powers will grow and grow. Our job is to lead Scotland to a better, independent future and we will ensure that the people of Scotland get the opportunity to decide their future through a democratic referendum.
SNP Government