SNP CONFERENCE ADDRESS BY ALEX SALMOND MP MSP

SNP CONFERENCE ADDRESS BY ALEX SALMOND MP MSP

SCOTTISH FIRST MINISTER AND SNP LEADER

Friends

On Thursday night we lost – Scotland lost – a great spirit. Billy Wolfe was a good man – too good to be a politician.

But he was an outstandingly successful one, not in personal success in a parliamentary seat, but in the kind of success that really matters - changing the course of the politics of a nation.

I visited Billy a couple of weeks ago in Hairmyres hospital.

We were talking about the February 1974 election which he thought had some lessons for the current position. I reminded him of the advice he had given me as a young lad in West Lothian “always remember that the SNP stands for two things – independence for Scotland and home rule for Bo’ness!”

We owe Billy a tremendous debt. He professionalised the Party, enabled us for the first time to really take on the London Parties. He realised, long before the Party accepted it, that we needed a political identity as a party as well as fervour as a national movement.

Everything we have now as a Government, all of the success and strength which we enjoy, all of the POLITICAL opportunity we now have was built by people like Billy.

We are incredibly privileged as a political generation in the SNP. Many of you, most of you, go into an election as candidates and workers with a decent chance of winning.

The pundits say we can’t win 20 seats. Of course we can and the reason we are in that position is that we are building on the shoulders of giants like Billy Wolfe.

Delegates, a few days ago, at our general election campaign launch, I did something very foolish – and very brave.

I risked the wrath of the Deputy First Minister.

I made some less than glowing references to her favourite TV show – the X-factor.

It took her a few days to forgive me. Indeed I’m not altogether sure that I am totally out of the woods.

Friends, the point I was making was a simple one whether for pop or politics.

NEVER TAKE THE PEOPLE FOR GRANTED.

You'll remember the story. In the race for the Christmas number one, the pundits all thought the x-factor had it sewn up.

They had the slick PR and the prime-time TV shows.

They had everything going in their favour – until the people decided they would have their say. They raged against the machine and they won.

At this election the London Parties think they have it sewn up.

They have tried to carve the SNP - INDEED SCOTLAND - out of their prime-time debates.

And the capitulation of the broadcasters in that stitch up is a democratic outrage.

They have even told us our nation is irrelevant to the outcome.

But they have forgotten the most important thing.

ELECTIONS AREN'T JUST WON IN THE TV STUDIOS

IT ISN'T THE PUNDITS OR THE POLITICIANS WHO DECIDE.

THEY ARE WON ON THE STREETS AND ON THE DOORSTEPS, IN THE NEW MEDIA.

FRIENDS, IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO WILL VOTE

THE PEOPLE WHO WILL DECIDE

AND ON POLLING DAY, MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND WILL BE HEARD.

There is of course another reason the London parties don't want the SNP in the leaders debates.

They know we offer an alternative to their cosy consensus.

A consensus on cuts that will see the pain inflicted this year whether it is Gordon or David in Number 10.

THE WRONG CUTS AT THE WRONG TIME – THAT IS THEIR FOOLISH AGENDA

A cosy consensus on Trident. The extent of their disagreement is whether we have three new submarines or four new submarines.

BUT WE SAY - NO NUCLEAR SUBMARINES. NO NUCLEAR MISSILES. NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION ON THE RIVER CLYDE

Theirs is a consensus on nuclear power. On nuclear dumping.

Consensus on the deeply flawed tax proposals from the Calman Commission - proposals that would see a 5p hike in income tax just to see Scotland’s budget stand still.

Tory and Labour agree on student fees, punishing taxes on fuel, post office privatisation and post office closures.

It won't be much of a debate.

And friends, they don't just want to silence the SNP. Their rules, the rules they have demanded, even silence the audience. They say no clapping – I would have thought that’s a pretty unnecessary rule!

THEY WOULD DO BETTER TO BAN BOOING!

Only questions submitted in advance.

FRIENDS, WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF QUESTIONS THE LONDON PARTIES NEED TO ANSWER.

They can try – they can try - to silence our arguments in the TV debates.

BUT THEY WON'T SILENCE US IN THE COMMUNITIES OF SCOTLAND

Friends, I can tell our opponents one thing today.

The reason the SNP has seen the biggest increase in support of any party since the last general election – not just in Scotland but anywhere in the UK.

That reason is simple.

We, the SNP, are on the streets and on the doorsteps, speaking to people, listening to their concerns.

We are working hard and hearing what they tell us.

We are putting the voters where they should be – front and centre in this election.

That is why more and more Scots will turn to the SNP.

Friends, this election, this election above all, is not for the pundits or the politicians.

This election is for the people and for the future of our nation.

And the seats we are working hard to win are not Labour seats or Liberal seats.

THEY ARE NOT EVEN SNP SEATS.

THEY ARE THE PEOPLE'S SEATS

AND WE WILL NEVER FORGET IT

It is the people who will decide the result – in Scotland, in the UK and in every constituency.

Their local champion – their national champions.

FRIENDS, THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT CHANGE

BUT IT IS NOT CHANGE IN THE WAY OTHERS TALK ABOUT IT

LABOUR OR TORY, TORY OR LABOUR – THEIR AGENDA IS THE SAME. THEY ARE BOTH CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH.

PART OF THE SAME SYSTEM

A METROPOLITAN MACHINE THAT HAS LET US DOWN

AND YES, THE PEOPLE ARE RAGING AGAINST THAT MACHINE

THIS TIME, ON POLLING DAY, PEOPLE WILL NOT JUST VOTE FOR ANOTHER POLITICIAN

THAT MUCH IS CLEAR

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR MORE

THEY ARE LOOKING TO ELECT A CHAMPION.

LOCAL AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

THAT IS THE BIG CHANGE, THE REAL CHANGE

THAT IS THE NEW PEOPLE POWER – AND FRIENDS, IT IS THE POWER OF SCOTLAND

Friends, there is a film on release at the moment. In Alice, Matt Lucas plays the characters Tweedledum and Tweedledee. It is well worth a look.

Tweedledum and Tweedledee, two peas in the same pod.

I know what it reminds me of.

Tory or Labour, Gordon or David, Tweedledum or Tweedledee – even in 3D - the agenda is the same.

Big cuts, even savage cuts – cuts next year and then every year.

Cuts that will go deep into Scotland’s budget and hit hard the services we rely on.

Cuts that could choke off recovery and threaten thousands of jobs.

Cuts at the wrong time and on the wrong things.

The debate between Labour and Tory is a phoney war – the extent of the debate is whether the big cuts programme which they share should start this year or next.

Meanwhile other major economies, in fact all the major economies, are maintaining economic recovery spending into 2010.

The UK is the only G7 member to cut spending, to withdraw its fiscal stimulus this year.

THAT IS THE WRONG APPROACH

THE WRONG CHOICE

WITH OUR ECONOMY NOW TURNING THE CORNER

WITH RECOVERY IN SIGHT

FOR THE SAKE OF JOBS, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COMMUNITIES

WE CAN'T, WE WON'T, LET THE LONDON PARTIES PUT THE BRAKES ON SCOTTISH RECOVERY.

Friends, the recent death of Michael Foot, another politician of principle
and passion, brought to mind one of his most memorable speeches.

He recalled as a child being taken to see a music hall conjuror.

The conjuror took a splendid gold watch from a member of the audience, smashed it to bits, and then announced

‘I’ve forgotten the rest of the trick’.

Michael Foot compared that to the economic policy of the Thatcher Government of the day. And in those dark days of the Tory recession Michael Foot had it right. The Tory response then left communities devastated and a generation of Scots out in the cold.

Today, it is both Labour and Tory who have forgotten the rest of the trick. And they have forgotten the lessons of the past.

FRIENDS THESE TIMES, THESE CHOICES ARE CRUCIAL FOR OUR NATION.

CRUCIAL FOR SCOTTISH FAMILIES, FOR THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT.

For the sake of jobs, for the sake of our communities, stimulus must be followed through.

We can't let Labour or Tory stop Scottish recovery because the decisions taken today will affect the prosperity of tomorrow.

Earlier this week, I had the great privilege of announcing the latest Crown Estates round of offshore renewable energy leases. Friends, these leases for the Pentland Firth – the Saudi Arabia of marine renewables – are first in the world for tidal and wave power. And these 10 projects have the potential to generate 1.2 GW of power. Enough for 700,000 Scottish homes.

And this is only the beginning.

The prize on offer to Scotland is huge. The economic potential – in jobs, in exports, in expertise – of all our marine renewables is as great as for North Sea oil and gas.

And so I am delighted to announce today, that the Scottish Government is setting up a new £12 million marine renewable fund.

A fund to support the development and deployment of the technologies that will turn Scotland's vast green energy potential into tens of thousands of green energy jobs and billions of green energy wealth.

THE SNP INVESTING IN SCOTLAND'S SUCCESS AND SCOTLAND'S FUTURE.

Friends, the money for this fund is available today because we are doing all we can to direct resources towards jobs, recovery and the frontline. It is money that is available this year that will provide a return many times over in the years to come.

IT IS EXACTLY THIS SORT OF PROJECT WE NEED TO PROTECT.

AND EXACTLY THIS SORT OF INVESTMENT THAT WILL BE THREATENED BY THE LONDON CUTS.

WE CAN'T LET TORY OR LABOUR CLOSE OFF THE PATH, NOT JUST TO RECOVERY, BUT TO THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF OUR NATION.

FRIENDS, THAT IS WHY THIS ELECTION IS SO IMPORTANT WHY SCOTLAND MUST BE HEARD

And we cannot let their cuts smash what is precious in our public services. Destroy what we hold dear.

And have no doubt, public services like the NHS are a part of who we are.

A few weeks ago I opened the new Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow. It is a magnificent new facility with wonderful, dedicated staff. It is a jewel in the crown of Scotland's NHS.

And that is not just my view.

When I was there I met John Morrison – 97 years young. John was a miner at Auchengeich Colliery and was part of the rescue efforts when tragedy struck that mine and that community half a century ago.

John went down the pit at thirteen, had a trial for Heart of Midlothian at 17. Went to university in his 70s.

He has seen a bit of life and is also a bit of a fan of Nicola - so Peter had better watch out!

John said we all had to understand the importance of having an outstanding health service. And delegates, we have an outstanding national health service.

And friends, since we took office we have been investing, not only in the best, most modern health facilities. We have been investing in the frontline staff.

More doctors, more nurses, more dentists – 2000 more since May 2007.

They are the reason people like John Morrison praise Scotland's NHS.

This is what is precious and important.

This is what must be valued and protected.

BECAUSE WE ARE A PART OF ALL WE HAVE EXPERIENCED.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES OUR NATION THE COMMUNITY IT IS TODAY

A SCOTLAND WE CAN BE PROUD OF

A SCOTLAND WE MUST PROTECT

And friends there is another person I would like to praise.

Our Deputy Leader, our Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

Our friends in the press say Nicola has too much compassion.

I say better a politician with too much compassion than one with too little.

NICOLA STANDS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE OPPOSITION AT HOLYROOD

SHE IS WORKING TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF OUR NATION.

SHE IS A TRUE CHAMPION, A HEALTH SECRETARY, AND A HUMAN BEING OF WHOM WE CAN ALL BE PROUD.

Friends, this party, this government, is working day in and day out to deliver for the people of Scotland.

Our job is to make Scotland the country we know it can be.

In good times and bad times, that is our passion, our ambition, our focus.

And, friends, difficult times are coming.

I can't stand here today and promise that there will be no reduction in
spending, or that there will be no pain, that we can stop every cut. No one can.

Scotland will pay a price for Labour's recession.

But what I can promise is that we will do all we can to minimise the impact of those cuts here at home. To make sure that the right choices are made.

Senior salaries will be frozen - there are no pay rises for SNP
ministers.

The number of quangos cut by 25%.

We will deliver a 50% reduction in our marketing budget and a 5% cut in Government administration costs.

THERE WILL BE LESS SPENT ON GOVERNING

LESS SPENT ON PR

SO MORE CAN BE SPENT ON DELIVERING FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR NATION

Already this year spending on government travel is down by a quarter.

And we have saved £300 million more than our £500 million savings target.

AND EACH AND EVERY PENNY SAVED IS NOW BEING SPENT ON JOBS, ON SERVICES AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

EACH AND EVERY PENNY HELPING US DELIVER THOSE 1000 MORE POLICE ON OUR STREETS, RECORD LOW WAITING TIMES IN OUR HOSPITALS, SMALLER CLASS SIZES.

AND OF COURSE, THE COUNCIL TAX FREEZE

SCOTLAND WILL PAY A PRICE FOR LABOUR'S RECESSION.

BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU TODAY, THIS PARTY, THIS GOVERNMENT WILL WORK FLAT OUT TO PROTECT THE SERVICES THAT REALLY MATTER. TO PROTECT THE FRONTLINE.

TO PUT AN EMPHASIS ON JOBS AND ON TRAINING - ON INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE

That is why on Wednesday of this week, I was able to announce that this year we have met our target for new Modern Apprentices.

And friends, we didn't just meet it. We did better than that. Over the last year, the SNP has delivered 20,000 apprenticeship places.

That's over 1,000 more than budgeted.

THIS GOVERNMENT, THIS PARTY – SUPPORTING YOUNG SCOTS

Young Scots like Ryan McDonald who I met on Wednesday – a young man who was made redundant last year. He was in danger of losing his chance in life.

However Ryan is back in work today because of a fantastic scheme called Adopt an Apprentice which support companies in taking on apprentices who have been casualties of recession during their apprenticeship.

Friends there are many young men and women like Ryan who need our help, need our support.

We must do more. And we will do more.

That's why I can announce today that the SNP Government is committing a further £15 million this year to provide 4,000 ADDITIONAL college places for young Scots.

FOR JUST AS THE announcement on green energy is an investment in the natural resources of the country so the announcement on college places is an investment in the most precious resources of all – the people of the country.

FRIENDS, WE HAVE LEARNT THE LESSONS OF THE PAST. WE WILL NOT LET LABOUR'S RECESSION CREATE A NEW LOST GENERATION.

THIS PARTY, THIS GOVERNMENT, WILL NOT WALK BY.

THAT IS OUR PLEDGE - IN HOLYROOD AND AT WESTMINSTER.

Friends, as we are showing in Scotland, there is another way.

Labour or Tory, their talk is of cuts across the board. Cuts that will impact on health, on education, on the police. On jobs and economic recovery.

Cuts to the things that matter.

That is not Scotland's way.

Friends, there is much to protect.

But there are also places the spending axe should fall.

On the £100 million cost of the House of Lords or the £8 million cost of the Scotland Office.

Indeed it is now heading for £10 million having overrun its budget by 10%. If John Swinney had such an overrun it would cost the country £3 bn. If a local authority overspent it would be up before the accounts commission.

This is a Department which does nothing at all but play at politics and mismanage elections.

Abolish the Scotland Office and pay for 280 teachers or 300 nurses or 250 police officers.

THE SCOTLAND OFFICE IS A BURDEN THAT SCOTLAND CAN NO LONGER AFFORD.

But that is not the end of our savings. There is the £5,000 million on the remnants of the ID card programme or the £4,000 million for deep geological storage of Britain's nuclear waste

And this above all - the obscene £100,000 million Labour or Tory will spend to replace Trident.

Friends, that is at the very top of our target list.

SPEND LESS ON NUCLEAR BOMBS SO WE CAN SPEND MORE ON LOCAL SERVICES.

NOT JUST OUR CHOICE

BUT I KNOW, SCOTLAND'S CHOICE

Friends, the threat posed to our nation, to our communities, to our recovery is real and it is pressing.

As a party, in the weeks ahead, our job is clear.

BECAUSE ON POLLING DAY MORE VOTES MEANS MORE NATS

AND MORE NATS MEANS LESS CUTS

CUTS WHERE THEY SHOULD BE – ON NUCLEAR BOMBS

BUT PROTECTION FOR THE SERVICES THAT MATTER

And with the people of Scotland, the power of Scotland behind us – there is much we can achieve.

A balanced parliament may be a difficulty for Westminster but presents real opportunity for our nation.

SCOTLAND CAN PUT THE BRAKES, NOT ON RECOVERY, BUT ON THE TORY OR LABOUR CUTS.

We can champion the issues that matter.

And secure key concessions for our nation.

The release of the near £200 million fossil fuel levy fund. Money that is sitting, idle in an Ofgem bank account. Fair connection charges for our generators - a crucial issue if we are to capitalise on our vast energy resources.

Money that could and should be used to deliver jobs in communities across Scotland.

A commitment to Scotland being part of the FIRST phase of the high-speed rail network. London to Birmingham is nowhere near Scotland, and nowhere near good enough.

And a guarantee that there will be no further budget cuts this year – new cuts that Scotland's local authorities tell us would be 'catastrophic'.

If Westminster is balanced on Scottish and Welsh votes these things and more can be secured. These things and more can be achieved.

In ten days time along with our allies in Plaid Cymru we will be announcing our full platform. It is a an alternative programme which will stand in contrast to Labour and Tory.

It will shine like a beacon in the gloom.

FRIENDS, SCOTLAND WILL BE HEARD.

Scotland needs champions. There is no doubt.

National champions, working hard for this community, this nation that is Scotland.

And local champions.

Local champions like John Mason – a man who lives and breathes the community he represents. A man who shook Glasgow Labour to its core when he won the Glasgow East by-election.

And friends, if there is ever a party that needs shaking to its core, it is the Labour Party in the city of Glasgow.


Local champions like John Finnie, looking to represent this part of our country. I was speaking to John earlier today and he was telling me about one of his campaigns here in Aviemore for a replacement for the Grant House care
home.




The SNP administration on the Council was determined to deliver – something the local Liberals won’t now guarantee.

I know the people of Aviemore, of this constituency could have no better champion than John. And I wish him every success in his campaign for Grant House - and for Westminster.

And friends, there’s one other local champion I want to mention. A young man who I know will be working very closely with his local MSP.

Richard Thomson is running a great campaign in Gordon on fuel prices. He’s asking a very simple question. Why does it cost so much more to fill up in Ellon, so close to where the oil is produced, than it does in London?

Friends, soaring fuel prices will be a big issue in this election. And it is the UK government that has the questions to answer. With tax hike after tax hike, the motorist’s pain is London’s gain.

AT THIS ELECTION, SCOTLAND CAN SEND THE MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

WHEN OIL PRICES GO UP, FUEL TAXES SHOULD GO DOWN.

END THE ROAD FUEL RIP OFF.

On these and other issues, the SNP will be speaking up for Scotland.

Speaking up for the communities we represent.

National champions and local champions.

Returning politics to what it should be – by the people and for the people.

NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL.

If the people give us the power we can achieve much at Westminster.

BUT THAT IS NOT THE REAL ANSWER FOR SCOTLAND.

That is why we will take forward plans for a referendum on independence, so Scots can have their say on our nation's future.

A clear majority in this country want our parliament to take on more responsibility.

To have the ability to grow our economy.

To do more to support those in greatest need.

The opportunity to invest our vast energy wealth in the future success of our nation.

And these things – all these things – are within our reach.

The other parties are running scared of the voice of the people. But we say, the people must be heard.

And have no doubt, the people will choose our stronger, fairer, more prosperous Scotland.

THE UNIONISTS USED TO ARGUE THAT AN INDEPENDENT SCOTLAND WAS TOO BIG A RISK.

FRIENDS THE RISK NOW IS SCOTLAND STAYING WITHIN THE UNION.

BROWN HAS LED THE UK INTO A SEA OF DEBT - 1 TRILLION POUNDS OF UK DEBT - AND THE PROSPECT OF A GENERATION OF CUTS

I KNOW OF ONLY ONE NATIONAL ASSET BIG ENOUGH TO BALANCE THAT EQUATION - THE TRILLION POUNDS OF OIL AND GAS LEFT IN THE NORTH SEA.

FOR SCOTLAND OUR SHARE OF THAT ASSET WOULD BE TEN TIMES OUR SHARE OF THE UK DEBT - A FUNDAMENTAL REASON WHY INDEPENDENCE IS BETTER FOR THE FUTURE.

Because after 18 dismal years of the Tories, and 13 dismal years of Labour – Thatcher or Major, Major or Blair it’s always been a case of Tweedledum and Tweedledee.

Friends, we remember Labour’s feeble fifty who stood by while the Tories imposed the Poll tax on Scotland.

We remember Labour’s lobby fodder who voted shamefully for war in Iraq.

Labour MPs who went to London to settle down.

Who remained silent as the gap grew between rich and poor. As inequality in this nation reached levels not seen since the end of the Second World War.

13 years to make a difference – an unlucky 13 for too many Scots.

Let down by the Westminster machine.

And yes, people are raging.

But friends, it doesn't have to be like this.

With MPs who are champions for the people of Scotland

SNP MPs who will be at Westminster, to stand up for Scotland, not stand up for the system.

To protect the people, not the perks.

Not to settle down in London but to settle up for Scotland.

Scottish MPs who will put our nation first.

National champions, local champions.

MPs worthy of the peoples trust.