Wendy Alexander on the SNP's first year in power

Apr 27 2008

By SCOTTISH LABOUR LEADER WENDY ALEXANDER

ALEX SALMOND is many things but shy and retiring isn't one of them.

Our First Minister hasn't missed an opportunity to talk up the SNP's first year in power.

But Sunday Mail readers should beware of his boasts. His first year in government hasn't been quite the triumph he'd have Scotland believe.

In fact, the SNP's first 12 months in power remind me of a poster for a Hollywood blockbuster that says the film is brilliant but, when you see it, it turns out to be a big let-down.

The SNP are not delivering. Why? A year ago they promised to dump student debt, reduce class sizes, match Labour's school-building programme and introduce first-time house-buyers' grants.

Promises they made to the people of Scotland - but pledges they've broken with barely a murmur of apology.

It's not just their promises they have failed to keep. To meet their council tax freeze, councils have had to make real cuts to vital services to balance their books.

Nursery places have gone. Freemusic lessons for school children have been dumped.

Charges to pensioners for emergency alarms, home help and shopping have risen and funding for charities slashed.

That's not a record to be proud of.

But the reality behind the First Minister's rhetoric isn't confined to cuts. When it comes to planning for Scotland's future, the SNP have been found wanting.

Across the rest of the UK an extra 150,000 apprenticeships are being created but the SNP Government have slashed adult modern apprenticeships in Scotland by nearly 80 per cent. Last year there were 6255, this year 1229.

Skills are Scotland's future but the First Minister doesn't appear to care about the skills we need to build for that future.

We know what he does care about - independence.

Mr Salmond may want Westminster to dance to a Scottish jig but it's breakdancing that he is really interested in.

Surely even he understands that we must train the next generation of young Scots to build the new Forth Bridge, projects for the Commonwealth Games and the houses Scotland so badly needs for young families, plus provide the staff the tourism industry needs.

He is fast becoming the not-so-artful dodger of Scottish politics. He dodges answering tough questions in parliament.

He dodges his failure to keep promises.

He dodges blame for failure to protect the vulnerable and responsibility for cuts affecting our communities.

On the evidence of the past year, the SNP Government should spend more time taking the long-term decisions Scotland expects.

As a former minister, I know government isn't just about taking easy decisions or trying to hog the headlines. People want their politicians serving, not using, Scotland. Labour have spent recentmonths listening to and learning from the people.

Scottish Labour will be looking out for the interests of ordinary, hard-working Scots - whether it is more nursery places, quality apprenticeships, amore personal health service or greater dignity in retirement in old age.

Labour are listening and standing up for a better future for all Scots.