A track record we can be proud of
The SNP’s leadership election has been an opportunity to judge the record of the Scottish Government – and what more a new First Minister can take forward to improve our country still further.
It’s been fascinating to see our political opponents quickly declare the death of the SNP – while every poll taken since Nicola Sturgeon announced her decision to stand down shows the Scottish Government would be re-elected to serve another term in office.
Every political party must always continue to fight for the support of the voters at every opportunity – or else face ejection from those same voters – and the SNP is no different.
The day we take a single vote for granted is the day I step away from politics
Step into Spring and create an outdoor space you can look forward to using during those warmer days and lighter nights!
Complete those garden projects, big or small, or get ready to wine and dine with completely. But the idea that virtually overnight the shambolic Scottish Labour party will storm to an unbreakable lead with their dynamic policy platform, currently scribbled on the back of a fag packet, is wishful thinking to say the least.
And anyone thinking the mediocre Keir Starmer is a dead cert to be the UK’s next prime minister should check again, with the Tories regaining ground in England and looking like they may will hang again for another five years – once more against the elected will of Scotland.
Thankfully we have a Scottish Government with a track record to be proud of – and the legacy left by the First Minister and her Cabinet will last for a long time.
The game-changing Scottish Child Payment is only a couple of years old, some new cooking equipment for al fresco dining.
The Paisley Daily Express is offering SEVEN lucky readers the chance to win £200 of vouchers to spend at the popular DIY and home improvement store, B&Q. with its extension to under 16s and increase to £25 a week only a few months old.
Prescriptions and eye tests continue to be free for all Scottish residents as part of a health service there to help on the basis of need, not on your bank balance.
Our young people benefit from free university and college tuition, a guaranteed place in a positive destination like education, work or an apprenticeship after leaving school, and free travel for them to take that place up.
A new Winter Heating Payment beginning this year, already delivering a guaranteed £50 to 400,000 people across Scotland, in contrast to the weather lottery overseen by the UK DWP.
I could fill the pages of the PDE with the full list of how the SNP Scottish Government has helped coming to power – but we know there is still a long way to go.
Being proud of our record doesn’t mean sitting on our laurels.
And being part of a government delivering that record should be a source of pride, not something for leadership candidates to pretend to run away from.
Those who have used this leadership contest as a mechanism for attempting to sow discord and disharmony amongst the party will find that once the dust settles, their attempts will have achieved nothing except make themselves look foolish.
Whoever takes the reins of power next week will have a hard act to follow – but they will also have the opportunity to help shape a better country, and build a path to independence.
Every day from Monday, March 20 until Saturday, March 25, there will be a token and online code printed inside this newspaper. Simply collect 2 out of the 6 tokens OR codes printed. Once you have your two online codes, visit www.dailyrecord.co.uk/springcomp and complete the entry form along with your codes. Alternatively if you wish to enter via post, simply post TWO tokens along with the entry form to: Step into Spring Competition, Reach PLC, One Central Quay, Glasgow, G3 8DA. Closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday,
March 31, 2023
Name: make Scotland a fairer and better place over the past years, but I fear the editor may have other stories to report on.
But there is so much more that we can do.
Whoever takes over as First Minister must look at early years learning and childcare and how to improve the system we have now.
Brilliant progress has been made in recent years expanding the 1140 hours guarantee to all three and four-year olds and some twoyear olds.
But we should want to see that guarantee expanded to cover younger children, providing better learning and support for our youngest and relieving a huge financial burden from so many households.
We’ve delivered over 100,000 affordable homes across Scotland since
Contact Telephone Number:
This is a syndicated prize among the 25 daily regional newspaper titles. Standard Reach plc competition rules apply see www.dailyrecord.co.uk/rules. Competition closes 5pm on Friday, March 31, 2023 for postal and digital entries. First 7 correct entries drawn from postal/online entries will receive £200 each of B&Q vouchers. Winners will be contacted within 7 days of the competition closing date. Winners will receive their £200 voucher for B&Q in the post.