FIRST MINISTER ALEX SALMOND SPEECH TO THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL COUNCIL 6th DEC. 20008.

FIRST MINISTER ALEX SALMOND SPEECH TO THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL COUNCIL 6th DEC. 20008.

"SCOTLAND NEEDS THE SNP"

Addressing the Scottish National Party’s National Council meeting in Perth today [Saturday], First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Alex Salmond said:

“For many people, the next few months will be an enormous challenge, with the full impact of the economic downturn starting to bite.

“At times like this, it is even more important that we pull together as a nation. The economic storm clouds are gathering. But I know that we will weather this storm – and emerge even stronger, and well placed to prosper.

“As First Minister, it is my job to do all I can to help those facing the most pressure this winter. That is a key part of the social democratic contract this Government has with the people of Scotland.

“It is why we are delivering our six-point economic recovery plan to help families and business – accelerating investment in the economy, and boosting spending on combating fuel poverty. It means more money to support families struggling to pay their mortgage – and help them keep a firm grip on their home. And it means £70 million available this coming year for local authorities to freeze the unfair Council Tax again – putting much needed extra money in people’s pockets.

“And it is the job of this government to stand up for the people of Scotland. That means opposing London Labour’s plans to slash a billion pounds from the Scottish budget – the biggest cut in Scottish spending since the Tory recession of the early 1990s.

“Already, the UK Government are withholding a billion pounds of money that should be available to Scotland to fund an economic recovery programme – including the £120 million Scottish Fossil Fuel Levy and even our own underspend. These are Labour’s sleekit cuts.

“And now we have Labour’s upfront cuts of ANOTHER billion pounds in 2010/11 and 2011/12.

“DELEGATES, THE TIMEBOMB OF LABOUR CUTS IS TICKING. ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF SCOTLAND, WE WILL MAKE THIS THE DOMINATING ISSUE IN SCOTTISH POLITICS UP TO AND BEYOND THE GENERAL ELECTION. AND SNP SUCCESS IN THAT ELECTION – WITH A BLOCK OF 20 OR MORE SNP MPS – WILL STOP LABOUR’S CUTS IN THEIR TRACKS.

“We have a record £13.2 billion North Sea revenues forecast this year. While the UK as a whole plunges deeper into deficit, Scotland is in budget surplus.

“Labour’s planned cuts in the Scottish Government’s budget are indefensible – they intensify the need for Scotland’s Parliament to be responsible for all tax and spending decisions, and they are a powerful argument for independence.

“If savings need to be made, let’s scrap useless and expensive ID cards – and the obscenity of a new generation of Trident nuclear weapons dumped on the Clyde.

“Financial independence and full access to Scotland’s abundant resources – so that we can invest in our public services and grow our economy – has always been an important idea. With the UK Labour Government’s plans to slash Scotland’s budget by a billion, it is now absolutely essential.

“We need the full financial powers of independence. We need a referendum to give the people of Scotland the opportunity to choose their future – and avoid Westminster’s cuts.

“Scotland needs the SNP.”