SNP shines in the Northern Lights
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the SNP annual conference at The Event Complex in Aberdeen.
This was my first time at the newly-built TECA and I couldn’t write this column without first praising the new venue and its staff.
The TECA was purpose built to deliver a world-class exhibition, conference and hotel facility in Aberdeen, and I have to say it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Not only is it an excellent venue, but the TECA also boasts an innovative energy centre that helps cement Scotland’s growing reputation as a forward-thinking and renewable energy conscious nation – something the First Minister indeed praised in her conference speech.
The First Minister’s speech is definitely one of the highlights of conference for me – aside from the opportunity to catch up with old friends, colleagues and party members, and spread that positive Paisley message on a national level.
The FM’s speech this year was certainly a favourite moment.
In what was mainly a relaxed and humorous address, quoting Billy Connolly and Robert Burns, Nicola Sturgeon took the opportunity to emphasise the choices facing Scotland moving forward and the ‘two futures’ on the horizon.
The first is continuing Tory austerity, an unlawful leader in No10 and the will of the Scottish people continuing to be ignored and disregarded – and the other being the opportunity to choose our own destiny and join the rest of the world as an inclusive, fair and innovative independent country.
In these times of Brexit, Boris and general Westminster buffoonery, our leader shone a light on all the ways Scotland is different to the UK and why it is more important now than ever before for us to stand up and choose our own path.
Unlike the Tory Government, we’ve had to suffer for too long.
The SNP stands with families, the poor, the vulnerable and the everyday Scot.
The First Minister stressed that the twin hallmarks of the current United Kingdom government have been welfare cuts for the poor and tax cuts for the rich – with the abysmal Universal Credit system ruining lives and pensioners being shortchanged too.
The UK state pension is the lowest in the developed world.
To add insult to injury, Westminster has robbed women born in the 1950s of their pension entitlement altogether.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I think that is shameful and frankly embarrassing to be a part of.
If you agree with me, there is an alternative to another decade of austerity and hardship at the hands of our Westminster counterparts.
We are a wealthy country, bursting with talent and potential.
To quote Nicola Sturgeon: “We are rich enough, strong enough and big enough to take our place among the proud, independent nations of the world.”
During her speech, the FM confirmed that before the end of this year she will demand the transfer of power that puts the legality of a referendum beyond any doubt.
And when she does, the question will not be “what will we do if
Westminster refuses”, but instead “What gives Westminster parties any right to deny people in Scotland our ability to choose our own future?”
I know I’m biased ... but to me the answer is simple.
First and foremost, I want the best for Paisley and every Buddie who is proud enough to call our town their home, but the best is not being delivered by Boris and his cronies.
Despite not yet being an independent nation, the Scottish Government is already creating and delivering a better tomorrow today – and I am confident that will only continue when we’re an independent nation.
The coming year will be crucial in the fight for fairness and respect, but I am equally confident that we will win our independence – not the Brexit way but the Scottish way - by reflecting the open, tolerant, inclusive and democratic nation we are determined to keep building.