As 2025 begins, we find our country facing a choice: more decline or a new direction for Scotland?
Because – bluntly – our country is not delivering what hard-working tax-paying Scots deserve.
If we are to chart a new direction for Scotland, we must face the challenges before us – the challenges that are holding Scotland back.
The harsh truth is that Scotland 2025 is a nation where the SNP has weakened every institution.
Where every public service is straining after almost two decades of SNP Government control, and where Scots are shelling out more of their hard-earned cash to get less.
In short, our country is stuck.
Stuck in a rut where Scots have to wait too long for healthcare, feel insecure both economically and often in their communities, and fear for the future opportunities of their children. Meanwhile council tax and income tax skyrockets.
It doesn’t need to be like this.
But this is the Scotland that nearly two decades of SNP government has created.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to pretend that every decision the SNP have made over that last two decades has been a bad one.
But it is clear to see that this SNP is not the party that it was, that it has lost its way, has run of steam and run out of ideas, is now incompetent in Government and is bad with your money.
Think back to 2007 when the SNP first came to power, they were optimistic about the future of Scotland. They pledged to support our NHS, treat patients faster and tackle health inequalities; to ensure our young people thrive; and to make Scotland a fairer country by scrapping the council tax and delivering value for money. These were the ideals that won the support of many Scots – but in Scotland 2025, do you really feel this is what they have delivered?
Do you feel better off or worse off? Do you feel that public services are better or worse? Treatment faster or slower? Schools better or worse? Your own city, town, village or island – weaker or stronger?
Almost two decades on, the reality is that they’ve broken their promises to the Scottish people and blown their chance to deliver.
Over the coming year, we will remind the SNP time and time again of their failures, but more importantly, we will demonstrate to people in Scotland what a new direction will mean in practice – how it will deliver for you and your family.
In each area of responsibility for the Scottish Government, we will demonstrate the consequences of SNP incompetence and set out what a Scottish Labour Government would do differently:
A new direction for the NHS – where we cut waiting lists, make sure the NHS is there when you need it and that it’s fit for the future.
A new direction for our economy – where it grows, we support our businesses, revitalise our high streets and deliver better paid jobs.
A new direction for our young people – where we close the opportunity gap and give them all the chance to flourish.
A new direction for our communities – with more police on the street and where you feel safe.
And a new direction for our democracy – where we push power and resources out and serve you.
A Scotland where government serves the people.
And where, as First Minister, you the people come first and where the buck stops with me.
New hope. New thinking. New solutions.
A new direction for Scotland – that’s a future we can win together.
Anas Sarwar