Nicola Sturgeon today wrote for the P&J, here is what the First Minister said.
Scotland is a far better country today than when the SNP first came to office in 2007.
We are a more confident nation, more outward-looking and more sure of our place in the world.
That, I firmly believe, is the result of having a government that always puts Scotland first, will never accept second best and which stands up for our industries and communities, protecting jobs and looking for new opportunities to make our country an even better place to live for everyone.
We are also a much more politically aware nation that we have ever been before, with a level of engagement that is higher than it has been for generations. That is a direct consequence of the independence referendum which, although it did not see the result I passionately advocated, has sparked an awakening in the democratic process, which is a healthy thing regardless of which party or viewpoint individuals support.
Put bluntly, Scotland has grown up a lot as a nation since our national parliament was reconvened 17 years ago.
And of course some of that development came in the years before the SNP were elected for the first time. During those years, we had legislation passed on issues like free personal care for the elderly and the ban on smoking in public places – things which we backed in opposition and have been able to build upon in government.
We go into this election proud to stand on our record, because it is a very good one indeed. Our opponents, of course, will claim differently. That is the nature of politics.
But voters across Scotland also know that our record is a good one, which is why they have given such ringing endorsements to the SNP in election after election.
Bluntly, some of our political opponents’ claims about the SNP’s record in office are a simple repetition of things said at the last election – and the one before that. But repeating something endlessly doesn’t make it true.
While we take absolutely nothing for granted, and will always strive for improvement, a quick glance at our record shows how much we have delivered in the last nine years.
We have regularly outperformed the UK on jobs, in spite of our limited economic powers and the effects of the financial crash – and our economy enjoys among the highest levels of inward investment in the whole of the UK, while exports have risen and the SNP’s small business bonus has saved companies around £1billion in total.
We have also protected household budgets through the council tax freeze, saving the average Band D payer around £1,500, as well as abolishing prescription charges and scrapping university tuition fees.
Police numbers have reached a record high, while crime is at a 41-year low, our hospital waiting times performance is far better than anything achieved by the previous administration while we have taken NHS staffing levels to an all-time high and boosted health spending to record levels.
We have also provided a huge boost to green energy while leading the world in climate change ambition – both things that we will seek to build on in the next parliament.
And we have passed historic legislation on same sex marriage, reflecting the more tolerant, inclusive nation Scotland has become.
There is still much to do, and a re-elected SNP Government will continue to try and make life better for everyone in the country, with a particular focus on education and on narrowing the attainment gap between children from the least and most deprived areas – something which I am personally committed to delivering.
When the SNP launch our manifesto next week, people will see a party which has already achieved a huge amount but which is still brimming with ideas and a vision for how to make Scotland better still.
