Strong plan for covid recovery
The Scottish Parliament election is now over and it was really good to see an increased turnout across Renfrewshire.
Congratulations to Renfrewshire’s SNP MSPs George Adam, Tom Arthur, and Natalie Don.
In what was an election like no other, well done to everyone involved from the candidates and campaigners of all parties, as well as the staff at Renfrewshire Council - you all did a marvellous job of keeping everyone safe in unprecedented circumstances during a global pandemic.
What is clear from the result is that Scotland wants strong leadership to guide us through the pandemic with a coherent plan.
Nicola Sturgeon has outlined Scotland’s path to recovery and now she has a mandate to deliver the progressive vision for our country that has been outlined in the 100 days ‘first steps’ plan.
A serious government for the most serious of times as we try to get back to some sort of normality.
Contrast this with the UK Tory government that failed to outline any kind of coherent plan for the UK’s recovery in the Queen’s Speech.
It is clear that Boris Johnson and the rest of the Tory cabinet including Scotland Secretary Alister Jack have no coherent plan for a covid recovery.
There was nothing on strengthening welfare protections or boosting employment in the Queen’s Speech.
This incompetence and lack of ambition threatens Scotland’s ability to secure a strong, fair and sustainable recovery.
We are still reeling from the twin effects of a Brexit we didn’t vote for and a decade of austerity cuts - imposed on us by a government we didn’t vote for.
On top of not even having a proper plan in place for a UK recovery, the Tories are set to impose more cuts on welfare and NHS spending, with the Scottish Secretary being one of five cabinet ministers who have backed a new hard-right low-tax Tory group.
As Douglas Ross made clear in the Scottish election campaign, the Tories will always back a tax cut for the rich instead of the poor.
People in Renfrewshire roundly rejected the Tories and voted for a strong, fair, and equal recovery – instead of the long-term damage of Tory cuts and power grabs.
If we are to deliver an investment-led recovery and the long-term fundamental changes needed to tackle inequality and build a fairer society, Scotland needs the full powers of an independent country – and the people will have that choice in a referendum once the covid crisis is over.
The SNP has and will continue to put Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic at the forefront of our policy making decisions.
We do not need to recover for independence; however, I believe we need independence to fully recover to the best of our abilities.
The alternative means that any attempt at recovery will undoubtedly be further hampered by Conservative austerity and poor policy.
The SNP manifesto outlined a progressive, greener, and sustainable future for Scotland and now our MSPs should form a government and implement these commitments.
If you think of the progress the Scottish Parliament has made in the last 20 years whilst having one hand tied behind our backs, imagine what we could do if both hands were free to use the full powers of a normal, independent, country to fully recover and prosper into the future.