Alex Salmond on the SNP's first year in power

Apr 27 2008

By FIRST MINISTER ALEX SALMOND

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 attackand the serious implications for rural Scotland of the Foot and Mouthoutbreak south of the Border.

But all nations face problems. The issue ishow we cope with them and stay focused on the key task of building aprosperous 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 buildalliances both inside and outside the parliament in order to takeforward a progressive programme for Scotland.

We must govern through strength of argument, not strength of numbers.

In terms of the economy, health, educationand local services, the Scottish Governmentare delivering on thepeople's priorities. Earlier this month, many of our key measures tookeffect.

These included freezing the Council Tax todeliver relief for hard-pressed households, cutting business rates toboost the economy and jobs, abolishing prescription charges in this60th anniversary year of the NHS and scrapping the graduate endowmentto restore free education in Scotland.

We have saved vital accident and emergencyunits at Ayr and Monklands, scrapped the tolls on the Forth and Taybridges, delivered a new skills strategy and are funding 1000 morepolice officers in Scotland's communities.

We look forward to continuing to deliver forthe people of Scotland - building on the natural and competitiveadvantages our nation is blessed with.

For example, given that Scotland has aquarter of Europe's marine energy potential, we launched the "SaltirePrize" during Scotland Week in the States - the world's largestinnovation 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 sciencesinstitute in Dundee, where Scotland can be a world leader in thiscutting edge technology of the future.

I firmly believe that as the SNP delivergood government in the devolved areas and secure the trust of thepeople, so we will build the case for Scotland to be governed equallywell 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 continuingto 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 ofdelivery in office. The challenges are clear and we are certainly notimmune 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 inhistory, strong retail sales figures and business confidence and ahousing 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 anindependent nation. The key democratic issue is the people's right tochoose that future in a referendum.

The SNP Government trusts the people andtheir right to choose our nation's future. That is a key reason whypeople trust the SNP in government, as we prepare to mark our firstyear in office.

It reminds me of a poster for a Hollywood blockbuster that turns out to be a let-down

HIGHS Freezing the council tax

Scrapping tolls on the Tay and Forth road bridges

Cuts in small business rates

Saving A&E units at Monklands and Ayr hospitals

Scrapping the student endowment

Cuts in prescription charges

Having its Budget passed by Holyrood despite having a single-seat majority

Announcing a new publicly funded hospital in Glasgow

Increasing funding for free personal care for the elderly

Scots winning bid to host 2014 Commonwealth Games

LOWS

Failing to cancel student debt

Not giving grants to firsttime home buyers

Having to be bullied by the Tories into fulfilling its own promise of 1000 extra police officers

Becoming embroiled in a planning row over Donald

Trump's Aberdeenshire golf resort proposal

Failing to cut classes to 18