SPEECH BY THE DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND, NICOLA STURGEON MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SPEECH BY THE DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND, NICOLA STURGEON MSP,
TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Speaking at the SNP’s 75th Annual conference in Inverness today
(Sunday) at the Eden Court Theatre, the Deputy First Minister for
Scotland, Cabinet Secretary for Health and SNP Depute Leader, Nicola
Sturgeon MSP, said:

"Fellow nationalists, we came here to Inverness this week with a real
spring in our step.

"This has been a fantastic conference.

"And hasn’t it been great to be back in the capital of the Highlands.

"It’s no wonder that we are full of confidence and optimism.

"More than two years into the first term of the first SNP government
in history, our bond of trust with the Scottish people is strong.

"Since we last met in the spring we’ve won the European elections,
beating Labour hands down.

"The polls say we are Scotland’s choice to win the next Holyrood election.

"And for the first time ever, we have a consistent poll lead for the
Westminster election as well.

"You know, as I look ahead to the Westminster contest next year, I can
do no better than quote a former Labour leader - “bring it on”.

"And, delegates, we have the chance in just a few weeks to get our
General Election campaign off to a flying start by winning the Glasgow
North East by-election and ending, once and for all, 74 years of
Labour arrogance, complacency and neglect.

"David Kerr is an outstanding candidate. So let us all resolve today
to get out there and campaign hard to make him the next MP for Glasgow
North East.

"Delegates, our government is popular because we work every single day
to protect Scotland’s interests.

"The recession has hit the country hard.

"In tough times it is more important than ever that people across
Scotland, their families, businesses and communities have a government
firmly on their side.

"A government that’s got what it takes to lead our country to a brighter future.

"And, delegates, we have shown that we – the SNP - are that government.

"We’ve made a real difference to people’s lives right across Scotland.

"We’ve abolished business rates for tens of thousands of small
businesses, saving jobs on every high street the length and breadth of
the country.

"That’s down to our SNP government and the difference we’ve made.

"We’ve funded a freeze on the council tax, last year, this year and
next year, providing real help to pensioners and hard-pressed families
across Scotland.

"And we’ve abolished university tuition fees. Scotland once again has
education based on the ability to learn not on the ability to pay.

"Yes, delegates, we have made a difference. A big difference.

"In fact, we’ve done more – much more - in just two years than Labour
and the Liberals managed in eight.

"It is our government that, step by step, is delivering on the issues
that matter and taking the tough decisions.

"And there have been difficult decisions.

"There is no Minister who has faced a tougher call than Kenny MacAskill.

"His decision to release the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds
will long be debated.

"But I think Kenny MacAskill did the right thing for the right reasons.

"And he proved that he is the right Justice Secretary for Scotland.

"Delegates, the past year has seen our government work hard to help
our fellow Scots cope with the effects of the downturn.

"Nowhere has that mattered more than in our support for new, affordable housing.

"Our record investment in housing has protected jobs.

"And it has delivered record numbers of houses.

"I am proud to tell you that last year we built nearly 5000 new houses
– that is the highest number achieved by any government in Scotland
for 15 years.

"And our investment in council house building will ensure that 1,300
council houses are started this year in councils right across
Scotland.

"That’s the first central government funding for council house
building in 30 years.

"What a contrast between an SNP government making things happen and a
Labour executive that was just marking time.

"Delegates, we have a record on housing to be proud of.

"And that record has not only achieved more housing. It has also
delivered support to the construction industry in difficult times.

"But that will all be under threat unless the Chancellor allows us to
bring forward more capital spending for housing next year.

"So, let us today, from this conference, demand that the Chancellor
does the right thing and allows our government to keep investing in
Scotland’s housing.

"Delegates, home ownership is an aspiration this government supports.
Our investment in shared equity is helping more than 1500 people get a
foot on the housing ladder.

"But we also have a responsibility to provide homes for those who
can’t afford to buy.

"The credit crunch and the recession have reminded us just how
important that is.

"We’re building record numbers of houses, but our ambition to
substantially increase the supply of homes for rent will be frustrated
if we then sell them off under the right to buy.

"That is why I believe that the right to buy has had its day.

"When we were elected, we promised that we would protect the rights of
existing tenants. And we will.

"We also said we would abolish the right to buy for tenants of new
build social housing. And we will.

"But I can announce today that we will go further. We will bring
forward proposals to abolish the right to buy for all new tenants.

"Over the next decade, these proposals will safeguard up to 18,000
houses, providing homes for rent for those who need them most.

"Real action from a government building for Scotland’s future.

"Delegates, there is not much evidence of the UK parties doing what is
right for Scotland.

"We all know that the next few years will be hard.

"Labour has made an almighty mess of the public finances and they now
want ordinary folk to pay the price for their failure. And the Tories
are just the same.

"Labour and Tories. The Tweedledum and Tweedledee of the politics of
failure, vying with each other over how much they will cut public
services.

"Labour has started already. Next year, the Scottish budget faces the
first real terms cut in spending in the history of the Scottish
Parliament.

"That’s Labour’s legacy to Scotland and they should hang their heads in shame.

"As Scotland’s government, we have no choice but to find the best way
to deal with these cuts. And we will.

"But the job of a progressive government is not to boast about how
savagely it can wield the axe.

"Our job in tough times is to work even harder to protect what really
matters to people in Scotland.

"And make no mistake, the choices a government makes when money is
tight tells you much more about its values than the choices made when
money is plentiful.

"So the budget that our SNP government has put forward for next year
makes clear our priorities.

"I am proud of the choices we have made.

"Delegates, I am proud that we have made the positive choice to
protect the National Health Service.

"I am proud that we have chosen to increase spending on education.

"And, delegates, I am even more proud that we – the SNP - will improve
schools for 130,000 of the pupils left to languish by Labour in
substandard school buildings.

"These are the priorities of a government firmly on Scotland’s side.

"But as the full consequences of Westminster economic mismanagement
come home to roost, we will have to work even harder to protect the
things that matter most.

"Our government will defend the NHS, but we know that big increases in
spending are, for now, a thing of the past. That’s why it is so
important that we make the budget go further. It’s why we must make
sure that every penny possible gets to the frontline.

"When it comes to efficiency savings the NHS in Scotland has a good
record to build on.

"Last year the NHS was asked to make savings of 2% amounting to £215 million.

"I can reveal today that the NHS not only met that target, it exceeded it.

"Last year, the NHS delivered savings of nearly £300 million.

"And, delegates, thanks to this SNP government every single penny was
reinvested in frontline services.

"That’s why, with the SNP, we now have record numbers of doctors,
nurses, midwives and dentists.

"It’s why we are investing more in life saving cancer services.

"And it’s why, with the SNP, we have more NHS cleaners to help us in
the battle against hospital infections.

"So delegates, I make no apology for continuing the efficiency drive.
This year and next, the NHS will be asked to yet again meet
challenging savings targets.

"But in return, I make this pledge – in future, just as in the past
every penny saved will be invested in frontline care.

"That is my compact with the NHS, ensuring that even in tough times,
we go on delivering real improvements for patients across Scotland.

"Delegates, let me promise this too. Our government will invest
taxpayers’ money always to build up NHS services not to build up the
private health sector.

"I am proud that this government – our government – has stopped in its
tracks the Labour privatisation of our NHS.

"We have already shown our commitment to funding new hospitals with
public capital, not through the daylight robbery of PFI.

"And we have put an end to the privatisation of hospital cleaning contracts.

"Today, I can announce another step towards a truly publicly funded
and publicly delivered NHS.

"In 2006, Labour contracted with a private company to provide a
regional treatment centre at Stracathro hospital in Angus.

"The private sector provides the service but the NHS pays for it -
which means of course that the NHS pays not just for the service
provided but for the profit margin as well.

"Delegates, this government will continue to invest £5m a year to
secure the future of the Stracathro Regional Treatment Centre.

"But from now on we’ll do so with one very important difference.

"From January, the service will be delivered in and by the National
Health Service.

"Stracathro is coming home to the NHS.

"Delegates, let me make one more pledge about healthcare in Scotland.

"I pledge not to listen to the calls from the Tories and Labour to
restore the tax on ill health. It’s hard to believe, I know, but
Labour and the Tories want us not just to stop reducing prescription
charges - they want us to put the charges back up to £7.20.

"Well, let me make it very clear - hitting the 600,000 people on low
incomes and the many thousands more with long term conditions who have
benefited from lower prescription charges might be the Labour and Tory
way of dealing with tight finances.

"But it is not our government’s way.

"We will reduce prescription charges to £3.00 next year and this SNP
government will abolish them completely in April 2011.

"Delegates, I am passionate about our NHS and I am very proud of those
who work in it.

"I have never been more proud of them than in the last few months as
they’ve dealt with the swine flu pandemic.

"Let me put on record my thanks to all of the frontline and management
staff, to all those working behind the scenes in our labs and records
departments, to our public health and health protection teams, indeed
to everyone in the NHS.

"You do a magnificent job. We all owe you a big debt of gratitude.

"Of course, the threat of swine flu is not yet behind us – it almost
certainly has even bigger challenges in store.

"We don’t know for sure what will happen over the winter.

"We do know that for the overwhelming majority of people, swine flu is mild.

"But still we can’t be complacent.

"We’ve seen already that for some swine flu leads to very serious and
even fatal illness.

"It hits younger and, sometimes, otherwise healthy people harder than
normal seasonal flu.

"Last week in Scotland 12, 500 people contracted the virus. And,
tragically, we saw a 50% increase in the number of people who died
from it.

"So we must continue to prepare.

"We have put in place plans to double critical care capacity, to help
our NHS cope with what will be its toughest winter in many years.

"But prevention is better than cure.

"And that is why our best defence will be vaccination.

"Our vaccination programme will begin on Wednesday. It will take time
to complete but by the end of this year, we will have offered vaccine
to 1.3 million Scots, including frontline health staff and those most
at risk of complications.

"Now I know that some people worry about vaccines. I know that there
are those who think vaccination is not necessary.

"But make no mistake, swine flu can kill and this vaccine will save lives.

"So today I encourage everyone in Scotland who over the next few weeks
is offered this vaccine to take up the opportunity.

"If you are pregnant, if you have asthma, if you have heart problems,
if you live with someone being treated for cancer, if you do a job
that’s vital to the NHS, if you are in any of the priority groups, I
urge you to get vaccinated.

"You will be protecting yourself. You will be protecting those close
to you. And you will be helping the NHS protect all of us.

"Delegates, over these past two years, we have demonstrated our
ability to govern in Scotland’s interests.

"Every power and every pound available to us has been used to build up
our public services and protect jobs.

"But these last two years have also been a stark reminder that for
Scotland to realise her full potential, we need the full powers of
independence.

"And let me say this: never before has the case for Scotland to take
responsibility not just for some, but for all of our own decisions
been more compelling; never before has the case for independence been
stronger than it is right now.

"Scotland needs independence.

"We know that while Westminster holds the purse strings Scotland will
always be shortchanged.

"And we know that while we let Westminster do our talking on the
international stage, our voice will not be heard.

"The decision by the UK government to lock us out of the climate
change summit in Copenhagen is nothing short of outrageous.

"And the conspiracy of the unionist parties to deny the people of
Scotland the right to choose our own future in a democratic referendum
is shameful.

"Delegates, that is why the General Election next year is so important.

"It is an opportunity that we must grasp with both hands. An
opportunity to make Scotland’s voice heard. An opportunity to make
Westminster sit up and take notice.

"I predict – in fact I guarantee – that we’ll be hearing a lot of the
old Labour line that we’ve heard so often before, that only they can
beat the Tories.

"Well, like so many of you, I grew up in the dark days of Thatcherism.
I know the damage the Tories did to Scotland.

"But I also know that Labour held the majority of Scottish seats
throughout all of these long years. Who could ever forget the feeble
50?

"These Labour MPs did absolutely nothing to stop the Tory assault on Scotland.

"So we’ll take no lessons from Labour on protecting Scotland from the Tories.

"And we’ll not lose sight of this fact either: it’s not just the
Tories who pose a threat to Scotland.

"Labour does too.

"Just like the Tories, Labour will cut spending on vital Scottish services.

"And just like the Tories, Labour wants to spend billions putting new
Trident nuclear weapons on the Clyde.

"Delegates, Scotland can help to stop this nuclear madness.

"May 2010 is, as we know, the likely date of the General Election. But
it’s an important date for another reason. In May next year, the UN
will host a conference to review the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

"What better time to send a message. To send this message loudly and
clearly - Scotland does not want Trident on the River Clyde.

"Delegates, Labour and the Tories won’t want to talk about Trident at
this election.

"It will be up to us to make sure there is no cosy conspiracy of
silence on this vital issue.

"There must be in this election a strong, loud, authentic voice for
nuclear disarmament. And that voice must be heard.

"Delegates, that’s just one more reason why Alex Salmond must be
included in the leaders debates of the General Election campaign.

"Delegates, the real question for Scotland in this General Election is
not Labour or Tory.

"The real question is who will speak up for Scotland and make our voice heard.

"To that question, there is, always has been and always will be only
one answer. The SNP.

"We owe allegiance only to Scotland and to the best interests of the
Scottish people.

"And we offer a real choice.

"We have a positive vision for the future.

"A fair Scotland with opportunity for all.

"A confident Scotland.

"A Scotland free of nuclear weapons.

"An independent Scotland.

"Fellow nationalists,

"That is our vision.

"It is the vision that will win for Scotland.

"It is now up to us – to all of us - to show that we’ve got what it
takes to realise it."

SPEECH BY THE RURAL AFFAIRS and ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY, RICHARD LOCHHEAD MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SPEECH BY THE RURAL AFFAIRS and ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY, RICHARD LOCHHEAD MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Speaking at the SNP’s 75th Annual conference in Inverness today (Sunday) at the Eden Court Theatre, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment , Richard Lochhead MSP, said:

"Conference, it’s great to be back in Inverness isn’t it?

"So much has changed since last time we met here - we are living in an exciting period of Scottish political history

"And it’s the SNP that’s making history.

"I pay tribute to our excellent team of MSPs who run circles around our hapless opposition in Holyrood.

"And our MPs and MEPs who punch way above their weight and whose work rates have left most of their Scottish counterparts disappear from public consciousness. And our councillors who are delivering for their communities.

"Most of all, I pay tribute to the efforts of every member of the SNP, past and present, who has campaigned for Scotland’s cause. It’s their efforts and your continued hard work that have brought us to where we are today.

"Just think, many of you who travelled here by road or rail, will have had the pleasure of knowing that most of the countryside and communities you were passing through are now represented by SNP constituency MSPs, and often MPs and councillors.

"So on your way home, reflect on our Party’s amazing progress.

"And you will also be reminded we represent urban and rural Scotland – we are truly Scotland’s only national party.

"It’s an honour to once again address you as Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in the first SNP Government.

"I have the privilege of working alongside our talented Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham in taking forward policies to support our rural communities and to safeguard our environment.

"Over the summer months, Cabinet, once again, held meetings across the country from the Borders to the Western Isles. And again we were struck by the vibrancy of our rural communities.

"After years of being ignored, Rural Scotland has a party in Government that’s on its side.

"Each and every member of the Cabinet has been delivering for rural Scotland.

"To help address our rural housing crisis, rural councils are set to build their first council houses in a generation. We have a record number of police officers patrolling our villages and towns. We are restoring health services such as NHS dentistry and rural health services are being modernized. We are piloting the Road Equivalent Tariff bringing benefits to the islands and we are extending broadband coverage to every corner of the land.

"Just think - the only occasions when Labour have intervened in rural Scotland in the past two years has been to close our post offices or hike up fuel prices!

SRDP

"But challenges remain. The economic downturn has affected many rural sectors.

"So, over the past year we have been working harder than ever before to stimulate the rural economy.

"The Scotland Rural Development Programme continues to play a key role. Over the past year we have committed a further £157 million to support innovation and environmental measures for the benefit of our rural businesses and communities. And we will be drawing down additional tens of millions of pounds from Europe to boost the cash already available for next year.

"We are funding projects across Scotland from farm-based renewable energy projects, new farm shops to bird observatories in Shetland, to community facilities such as village halls.

"90% of Scotland is rural and our rural communities have a big role to play in pulling Scotland out of recession.

Our Natural Resources

"Rural Scotland is blessed with the natural resources that are essential for any nation to be successful in the 21st century.

"As the world’s population grows, rural Scotland will feed our people.

"And as we look for new clean sources of energy, rural Scotland has the capability to power our economy.

"Climate Change is also leading to an increasingly thirsty world, but here in Scotland we have an abundance of water available for our people and for industry.

"Once you add in the talents and skills of our people, then you have the ingredients for a successful and competitive Scotland in the 21st century.

National Food and Drink Policy

"The importance of our food sector, is one of the reasons why the SNP Government is delivering our first ever national food and drink policy.

"Scotland's food and drink is the best in the world – indeed, I’m looking forward to being back in Inverness on Friday to take part in the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards.

"As food minister, I get to eat for Scotland – it’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it!

"Let me tell you, our efforts to promote Scottish produce are already paying off.

"Since the SNP took office, sales of Scottish brands in supermarkets across Scotland, England and Wales have increased by 21% - that’s over a fifth – worth nearly £300m to our economy.

"The Saltire effect is paying dividends! A welcome boost in the current climate.

"Scottish food and drink is a success story but we want to do more.

"Conference, visitors from across the world come to visit our shores every year to experience the best Scotland has to offer.

"Indeed, 16 million visits are recorded each and every year.

"I’m sure that like me you are sometimes disappointed by the lack of Scottish food served at tourist destinations, and where we do serve local produce, I am often disappointed that we don’t let folk know it’s local and Scottish!

"Conference, I want to see every single overseas visitor introduced to the best of Scotland’s larder, and those holidaying at home given more opportunities to experience their own nation’s produce.

"So today, I can announce a new initiative.

"We will be bringing together representatives from our main visitor attractions to agree how we can transform every Scottish visitor attraction into a showcase for the best of Scotland’s food and drink.

"Measures will include a new charter to promote the use of seasonal produce and guidance to help buyers source Scottish produce.

"Conference, reaching out to 16m customers will provide a further boost to the sector and further enhance Scotland’s image overseas.

"Let’s step up the food revolution and take advantage of producing the best food and drink in the world!

Rural Scotland

"Of course, our food and drink sector relies on the best raw materials.

"Our world famous seafood harvested by our fishermen from our pristine waters,

"Or the fish grown by our successful aquaculture sector – Europe’s biggest and which is being supported with a new ambitious strategy developed by Roseanna Cunningham.

"And we have the crops grown, and the livestock reared, by our farmers and crofters.

Agriculture

"One thing’s for certain - To ensure we can feed the nation, we need to support agriculture.

"And that’s exactly what we’ve been doing. Working with our farmers and crofters to keep Scotland disease-free, to protect our environment and look after our landscapes to protect biodiversity and to benefit tourism.

"But most of all, we need to support them because we absolutely must maintain the capacity as a nation to produce food, and that’s why food production is once again at the heart of agriculture policy.

"And we want to ensure that £500m of public support that is delivered to farmers and crofters is only delivered to those that are genuinely active and delivering these public benefits.

"And that’s why have launched an inquiry into the future of farming payments chaired by Brian Pack.

"To help our hill farmers in particular, we also announced an additional £15m in payments to help them cope with the costs of producing in our more remote areas.

"And Roseanna Cunningham is working closely with our crofters to see how we can help them continue to play their special role in the 21st century.

"We are delivering for Rural Scotland which is just as well given the UK Government’s lack of understanding of the needs of rural industries.

"Just last week, an independent report showed the impact of the Labour Government's future vision for the Common Agriculture Policy – a vision they are trying to sell Europe and that envisages an end to direct support for our farmers to help save the UK Treasury cash.

"If implemented, the UK vision - would be a disaster for Scottish agriculture.

"Labour’s vision ignores Scotland’s distinct characteristics - our land, climate and population.

"We can’t let London Labour make their vision a reality.

"And that’s why it is a travesty that Scottish Ministers are frozen out of the UK’s negotiations with Europe on the future of farming policy.

"Conference, to safeguard rural Scotland’s future, we need our own voice in Brussels and a Minister who stands up for our rural communities - NOT PLOTS AGAINST THEM!

Fisheries

"Conference, one sector that brings healthy food to our tables is our fishing industry. Some sectors are doing very well but others have been hit hard by the recession.

"The downturn brought low fish prices and the loss of niche export markets in France, Spain and elsewhere. And on top of that, many fishermen have faced more and more restrictions from Brussels.

"For many of our fishermen, 2009 has been a tough year.

"And given Friday’s quota proposals from Brussels, 2010 looks as if it will be equally tough.

"The SNP Government will continue to make protecting fish stocks a priority and, yes, being in Government means that, from time to time, we have to take difficult decisions for the long term benefit of the industry.

"But our industry is showing leadership in conservation and we have introduced trail blazing schemes that have won plaudits throughout Europe and beyond.

"It just goes to show that when we are allowed to use our own initiative, we can make a better job of running our affairs than Brussels or London ever will.

"But any law that forces fishermen to discard good quality, marketable fish over the side of the boat, dead back into the sea is crazy. Yet, that is exactly what the Common Fisheries Policy does.

"Discards are a waste of a valuable food resource.

"And economic and environmental madness.

"A million tonnes of fish dumped overboard each and every year in the North Sea by Europe’s fleets.

"Conference, we have to make discards history if we are to save the industry and save the stocks.

"Thankfully, the CFP is being reviewed and Scotland is leading the debate on its future.

"And our guiding principle throughout next year’s CFP negotiations is simple.

"Decision making must be returned to Scotland where it belongs!

"But we can’t wait for 2013 for radical changes – we need changes now – not before it is too late for Scotland’s fishermen.

"And Conference - every SNP Westminster candidate in our coastal communities will be reminding every Tory candidate that it was the Tories that took Scotland into the CFP.

"The official record show the Tories viewed fishing as “expendable”.

"Well our view is that the industry is “invaluable”

"You can trust the SNP and in the storms ahead we’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with our fishing communities.

"Conference, after my speech, I am going to Luxembourg for tomorrow’s European agriculture and fisheries council.

"But when I get to the Council Chamber tomorrow, I won’t be allowed to sit at the top table.

"I’ll get to observe but not to participate. I’ll be representing Scotland but not able to put Scotland’s case.

"You know at a recent council meeting, the UK Minister had to leave early.

"Did he offer the seat to the Scottish Fisheries Minister?

"No – wait for it - on orders from Downing Street, he instructed one of his civil servants to take the vacant seat.

"So we had to two civil servants at the top table - neither of whom would be able to point to Peterhead, Lerwick or Eyemouth or Stornoway, or any fishing port on a map!

"London Labour will go to any length to stop Scotland having a voice on one of our key national interests.

"Friends, Scotland has 70% of the UK’s quota - and we have a Government that makes fishing a priority.

"At the top table, to the left of the UK, sits Malta - a country the size of Edinburgh - and on the right sits the small nation of Estonia – same population as Greater Glasgow!

"Conference, Scotland’s fishing communities deserve to have their voice heard at the top table - not gagged on the sidelines.

"When many of our fishermen are fighting for economic survival, our proud fishing industry needs Scottish independence more than ever.

Marine Bill

"Conference, our fishermen and marine sectors rely on a healthy marine environment. And that’s another area where we are showing international leadership.

"Scotland’s first Marine Bill is now making its way through Parliament.

"For the first time, we will have a planning system for our waters to help us strike a balance between the competing demands for our valuable marine resources.

"And we will have the ability to establish Marine Protected Areas to help safeguard our unique marine environment - that is home to some of the planet’s most spectacular habitats and over 40,000 species.

"Years from now, this Party will look back with pride at how it was an SNP Government that took that action to protect our seas.

Climate Change

"One factor that is certainly impacting on our seas is climate change.

"Climate change will change our lives and environment.

"We all have a role to play in tackling climate change; the smallest action can make the biggest difference.

"And our Government is helping to generate grassroots action across Scotland.

"Our Climate Challenge Fund of nearly £28m is funding is helping 157 projects across Scotland - £700,000 towards allotments and grow your own schemes, to energy efficiency projects.

"Collectively, these latest projects will reduce Scotland's emissions by 250,000 tonnes - the equivalent of taking 83,000 cars off the road.

"We are empowering communities to reduce their own carbon footprints. Bottom up action is often better than top down and we must hand more power to our communities in the future.

Zero Waste Strategy

"We can also help reduce emissions by reducing the amount of waste generated by society.

"Our Zero Waste Strategy is about much more than cutting emissions - it is about preserving our finite resources.

"It is about helping to cut costs by cutting waste – something that is even more important in this economic climate. And treating waste properly could create 2,000 new jobs.

"We have achieved much already.

"Since devolution, recycling rates have gone up from just 5% to 34%. And we recently met our 2010 landfill target 18 months early

"Our Carrier Bag campaign has already halved the number of free carrier bags issued by our supermarkets.

"Our National Spring Clean campaign this year recruited a record 50,000 volunteers to clean up their communities.

"We have launched a Love Food, Hate Waste campaign to cut down on food waste.

"These just a few examples of how we are acting to clean up Scotland and move towards a zero waste society.

Flooding

"One consequence of climate change for our communities is the increased threat of flooding.

"This was brought home to me recently when I stood alongside my constituents as the River Lossie in Elgin broke its banks and brought devastation to the local community.

"Serious flooding is becoming more frequent and poses enormous challenges for society. Earlier this year, the Scottish Parliament passed the Flood Risk Management Act that will speed up the process for getting flood prevention schemes in place.

"And there has been more expenditure on flood prevention schemes in the past two years since we came to power than was delivered by the previous administration in eight years.

"But we know that more needs to be done and we are continuing to work in close cooperation with local authorities.

Forestry

"In tackling climate change, we must also make the most of our existing resources.

"Scotland's forest estates are one of our best national assets.

"Over the coming years we will be seeking to grow the forestry industry and increase our planting rates – forestry is a vitally important industry is many parts of Scotland.

"And timber buildings are energy efficient and the forests that produce them store carbon and are a renewable resource.

"Today, I can announce an even greater role that our forests will play in tackling climate change.

"The SNP Government is going to use our forests to produce renewable energy.

"We are going to establish joint ventures with communities and developers, and it’s estimated these renewable energy partnerships with the National Forestry Estate could generate electricity for one million homes, and £30 million a year in revenues.

"The climate change challenge needs new thinking and that’s what the SNP is delivering.

Our Natural Environment

"Conference, Climate Change reminds us about the fragility of our planet.

"And the fragility of our planet reminds us about the importance of protecting our natural environment – our landscapes, our water quality, and our native species. The SNP attaches enormous value to our species and habitats.

"And Conference, that’s why it’s appalling to witness the targeting of our iconic birds of prey.

"Every time we see pictures in our newspapers of dead golden eagles it’s sickening.

"Rest assured that Roseanna Cunningham is working hard with the authorities and rural interests to tackle this.

"And those who commit these despicable crimes can also be assured –

"Assured that this Government will hound them until the deliberate killing of our iconic species stops.

Conclusion

"Conference, In Government, we acting to protect our natural heritage, wildlife and everything that is special about our environment.

"And the SNP is delivering for rural Scotland.

"We are striving to sustainably use our natural resources to deliver economic and social benefits for the people of Scotland.

"We have an unrivalled natural environment that if used responsibly will continue to make our country a great place to live.

"We have the people and the skills to make the most of our resources.

"All we need is the political leadership and the political powers to make the most of what we have.

"All that stands in our way to becoming one of the world’s most successful nations is an outdated 18th century union – but we know its days are numbered.

"But first we have to continue on our successful journey - first we have Glasgow North East and then the Westminster elections and then sooner or later we will have the Independence Referendum.

"Let’s get the job done – let’s win freedom for our country! “

SPEECH BY THE FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND, Rt Hon ALEX SALMOND MP MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SPEECH BY THE FIRST MINISTER OF SCOTLAND, Rt Hon ALEX SALMOND MP MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SCOTLAND'S GOT WHAT IT TAKES FOR INDEPENDENCE

Speaking at the SNP’s 75th Annual conference in Inverness today (Saturday) at the Eden Court Theatre, the First Minister for Scotland and SNP Leader , the Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP MSP, said:

"Friends - Last year our conference met in the aftermath of John Mason’s victory in the Glasgow East by election.

"And in a few short weeks, Glasgow can be represented by another SNP MP, with David Kerr standing for the people of Glasgow North East – a constituency held by Labour for 74 years.

"74 years and there are 59 parliamentary seats in Scotland and Glasgow North East, despite its exceptional people, comes 59th on every measurement of unemployment and social deprivation.

"74 years of Labour control and Glasgow North East is 59th out of 59.

"Has there ever been any election anywhere where the clarion call of time for a change has had a more decisive meaning.

"And it is change that only the SNP have what it takes to deliver – in Glasgow and across Scotland

"Delegates, some of you may have read of my own plans for change.

"Change to a new job.

"If you listen to the Labour Party, I want to be the next Secretary General of the United Nations.

"All right no-body listens to Labour any more.

"Well, they got it half right – which is better than usual.

"I do want a new job.

"I want to be First Minister of an Independent Scotland.

"Week in, week out, in my present job I have to listen to the Labour Party.

"Week in week out they argue for more public spending in Scotland -just as their Chancellor cuts it from London!

"Labour in the Scottish Parliament are less of an opposition, more of a comedy routine.

"But would I change them? No I like them just the way they are!

"Delegates, just over two years ago we became the Government of Scotland.

"That happened because we offered our vision of a more successful country. We said to the people of our nation that there should be no limits on Scotland's achievement, on Scottish success.

"And the people responded and trusted us to form the first ever Government dedicated only and solely to furthering the Scottish interest.

"It was the first time in more than half a century that Labour lost the popular vote in Scotland. They thought it was a fluke, an accident. A 50 year storm.

"They thought normal service would be resumed at the first opportunity.

"Well they were wrong.

"It happened again this year when we hammered Labour in the European elections.

"Delegates since 2007 the world has tilted on its financial axis but we can win again by offering the same contract to the people in communities across our nation.

"A contract based on our social democratic values – wealth created and wealth shared.

"The creation of wealth is important when times are good. It is imperative when times are tough.

"The sharing of wealth is important when times are good. It is a moral imperative when time are tough.

"This speech is therefore about the economic choices which we as a society must make in tough times, about the political decisions that we as a country must take if we are to protect and defend the fabric of our communities.

"Our contract was based on the sure and certain knowledge that we, the SNP, will always put the people of this nation first - creating a rich country and rich society.

"And it is a contract that has at its core our determination to work to keep the trust and support of the people. Because government, election victory, is not the purpose of our objective.

"Our objective is a Scotland free to reach its full potential - a Scotland that is more prosperous, fairer, a voice for peace and reconciliation in the world – a Scotland that is independent.

"Each and every SNP MP elected next year, will join each and every SNP councillor, MSP and minister, member and supporter in this great project to make our nation the place we all know it can be.

"To improve the quality of life, and life chances of Scots young and old;

"To protect and support the people of our nation, strong and weak;

"And to be Scotland's voice, Scotland's Party, north, south, east and west, in Holyrood and Westminster.

"And let me say to the London parties in terms that leave no room for misunderstanding. Scotland’s voice will be heard on the great issue of the country’s future.

"Labour want a referendum on the alternative vote, the Tories on Europe, the Liberals on everything else! But they have the effrontery to refuse the people of Scotland the right to speak.

"Let us be clear. No political party can long deny the right of the Scottish people to exercise self determination and survive as a political force in Scotland.

"And delegates, at home, we are delivering on our vision and our contract.

"We promised safer communities with 1000 more police on the streets, and we have delivered.

"There are 1044 more police officers in Scotland, and a near 30 year record low level of crime.

"On 29 August last year the Opposition forecast that it would take us thirteen years to redeem our pledge of 1000 extra police. In fact we achieved it on 30 June this year two years early and a full twelve years before their forecast.

"And let me tell you some of the things our police officers are doing to make Scotland safer for all of us.

"There is a great initiative called the Violence Reduction Unit led by Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan – police officers focused on targeting the gang violence and knife crime that blights too many of our communities.

"They are carrying out more searches, taking knives off our streets. But they also engage with the youngsters breaking the cycle of violence – an approach that separates the daft laddies from the hard cases.

"More knife carriers in custody, tougher sentences but also police with the time to change offending behaviour.

"As a direct result of their effort knife crime is now falling in Scotland – still far too high but falling not rising. Falling by 18% in the city of Glasgow over the last two years.

"Does anyone seriously believe that would be possible if Labour had won the election and employed not a single extra police officer.

"We said Scotland must be wealthier and fairer, and in the face of the worst recession for generations, we are working hard to protect jobs and leave people with more of the money they earn.

"The Council Tax freeze, scrapping prescription charges, introducing free school meals, and abolishing tolls on the Forth and Tay Bridges – measures that will save families on average £340 over our four years.

"Our Economic Recovery Plan is in place and protecting 15,000 jobs. It is equipping Scots with new skills and putting our nation at the forefront of the global renewables revolution.

"And with our Small Business Bonus, we have acted to protect the thousands of small businesses that form the life blood of local economies.

"Make no mistake how important that is. Take for example the case of Julie Diver who runs a business, 39steps, in Edinburgh. She knows the benefit of the small business bonus. It has eased the pressure during the downturn, and is helping her business grow.

"Delegates, this is exactly the result we wanted – and Scotland needs.

"The small business bonus is helping over 60,000 small businesses properties, which survive and grow on the high streets and small towns of Scotland leaving our nation better placed for the coming recovery.

"The Labour party wants to end this support, just as they wanted no extra police. But our message today is hands off the small business bonus. It is here to stay.

"Scotland is a nation of entrepreneurs. A nation of inventors.

"And as a nation that means we've got the essential ingredients for success.

"Through our efforts, through our skills, Scotland's got what it takes to recover and to prosper.

"Friends.

"Through ScotAction, pioneered by Fiona Hyslop Scotland is leading the UK in new support for apprentices and skills.

"I do love that name - ScotAction.

"And I like in particular one part of the package – our Adopt an Apprentice scheme. This initiative proposed to us by the Scottish Trade Union Congress gives young apprentices made redundant by the recession a second chance to complete their training.

"Two of them, Craig McKenzie and Jason Hardy, are now working for Dumbreck Decorators, in Glasgow. Because of the downturn that company had no plans to take on new staff. But, with the help of ScotAction, these two young men now have the opportunity to finish their training.

"THAT’S GOOD FOR CRAIG AND JASON, GOOD FOR THE COMPANY AND GREAT NEWS FOR ALL OF US.

"And our Scotland is healthier with health services kept local and waiting lists at an all time low.

"A&E's saved in Monklands and Ayr. Maternity units in Inverclyde and Dumbarton, child cancer centres retained and enhanced in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen - and after years of neglect a new, secure future for the Vale of Leven.

"For the first time we are meeting Scotland's cancer waiting time target, we have turned the tide in the battle against hospital acquired infections and are building for a truly 21st century Scottish National Health Service.

"Earlier this year at our Spring Conference Nicola Sturgeon announced 600 extra cleaners in the National Health Service. Last week she was able to announce the lowest C Diff and MRSA rates since monitoring began, still too high but huge progress.

"Delegates we are currently facing a huge challenge in the H1N1 flu virus. But is there anyone better able to handle this crisis than our outstanding Health Minister - Scotland’s Deputy First Minister- Nicola Sturgeon MSP

"And delegates, after two years of an SNP Scottish Government, Scotland is getting greener.

"We have passed the world's most ambitious climate change legislation, and it is our determination to tell the world of this Scottish initiative at the Copenhagen climate change summit.

"Now I have been in correspondence with the Prime Minister on this very matter of having a Scottish Minister at the summit. In his latest letter he gave me a very full explanation why Jack McConnell attending the Johannesburg conference in 2002 was not a precedent.

"He said the issue “is not the same”

"Well that is that then - except it is not.

"The reality is that Gordon Brown cannot stand the idea of Scotland being visible in the international community – even when we have passed world leading and potentially planet saving legislation.

"It is part of the insularity of the unionist case that the UK government is petrified of any distinct Scottish presence in any international arena –

"Delegates, this Scottish success story of legislation on climate change cannot, will not, be silenced.

"Friends over the last two years there have been huge issues for the rural communities of Scotland. Farming faced the challenge of foot and mouth and overcame it. They had a powerful advocate in Richard Lochhead.

"Now our fishing communities face huge pressure from low prices, from recession and restrictions imposed by the discredited Common Fisheries Policy.

"Let us be clear. This party and this rural secretary will always stand by the fishing communities of Scotland.

"Delegates, in all 63 of our 94 headline manifesto commitments have already been achieved – two-thirds at just over half way through our term. That is a record we can all be proud of.

"And on the big issues, we have stuck by our principles, stayed true to our values and delegates, we have been proved right.

"That is why, despite calls – disgraceful calls - from some, we kept our promise to raise Scotland’s international aid budget from £6 million to £9 million

"Even in these difficult times we will not turn away from our international obligations, we will not abandon those in this world who have nothing at all.

"And so against the worst funding settlement since devolution and in the teeth of a recession this SNP government has frozen the council tax, delivered 1000 extra police, introduced the small business bonus, saved hospitals, delivered lower class sizes, led the way in the environmental challenge and kept faith with the world's poorest nations.

"I am told that our Labour/Tory/Liberal opponents cannot understand why we are more popular now than when we were elected.

"It is simple. People like the record of action of an SNP government compared to the wasted years of a peely wally executive

"As a party and as a government, we will stick firm to our principles.

"And without fear or favour, we will take the big decisions. And delegates that is exactly what Kenny MacAskill has done.

"I was delighted but not surprised when statesmen like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela welcomed the decision to release Mr Al Megrahi.

"Delegates, Kenny MacAskill made the right decision for the right reasons. He showed that there is a place for compassion in the administration of justice. That even in the face of the most terrible atrocity, the most severe provocation, we can put mercy before retribution.

"We all recognise the suffering of the families of the victims. What they have experienced no family, no person, should ever endure.

"But the evil of terrorism thrives in the darkness of fear and shrinks from the light of compassion.

"It is right that Mr Al Megrahi was tried and convicted for his crimes, but it is also right that he has been sent home to die.

"Last week Arun Gandhi came to see me - the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

"He seeks with our Scottish churches to found a reconciliation centre in one of our great universities.

"One of the things that he told me is that his grandfather's philosophy is much misunderstood.

"His resistance was not passive but active.

"His dedication to non violence a strength not a weakness.

"Sometimes someone has to break the cycle of retribution with an act of compassion.

"That is what Kenny MacAskill did and we should be proud of him for doing it.

"And at home, as we face an unprecedented Budget squeeze, there is nothing right, nothing good about Britain replacing its obscene weapons of mass destruction.

"The contrast could not be clearer.

"Not for us, not for Scotland, Labour and Tory priorities that would mean £100 billion wasted on new nuclear bombs when that money should be invested to create jobs, protect recovery and the public services we hold dear.

"Delegates, we know we are on the right side of this argument - the opposition is crumbling. The London Labour government has been pushed into cutting their plans from 4 to 3 new nuclear armed submarines. Fewer boats, but just as many bombs.

"The correct number of new Trident submarines on the Clyde is not 4, nor is it three. It is zero. Nil. None. Zilch.

"Not a single nuclear weapon on the river Clyde

"We know we are right on identity cards, with the first concessions now made – but concessions that will not prevent £5 billion from being wasted on this big brother ID scheme.

"Politics is about priorities. Politics must be about what really matters.

"These are the issues that will be central to the debate in the months ahead as we approach the UK election.

"And every vote for the SNP will put Scotland's voice and Scotland's values into the heart of Westminster.

"Delegates, Ed Miliband gave the game away when he said there was no difference between the Tories and Labour.

"Quoted in the Daily Telegraph – where else for a new Labour Minister? – on 26th September he said “in certain areas there are no differences between us . . . People don't like (politicians) pretending there are big differences when there aren't.”

"How refreshing it is to see a Labour politician caught telling the truth!

"And he's right – whether its Labour cuts or Tory cuts, the cuts will be deep. The pain will be felt in communities across our country. So delegates, our task, our job is to protect the people of Scotland.

"Over the last few weeks we have seen the London parties queue up to declare that their cuts are going to be bigger and better than the other parties cuts.

"What a miserable depressing vision they offer to the people of the nation.

"The Labour/Tory battle is a phoney war. The only thing they disagree on is the timing of starting the cuts. The scale of the cuts is just the same and both have Scotland in their sights.

"But friends we have already published our budget for next year. We have already faced up to the first real terms decline in public spending for a generation. Alone among the political parties across these islands we have laid out our budget strategy. Not in talk but in legislation. Our priorities were clear. John Swinney put the focus on the front line and economic recovery.

"On economic recovery because the way to address the public finances deficit is to get the economy growing again.

"We advanced £350 million of capital into colleges and schools, the health service and housing - accelerated capital that paid for the A9 improvements at Carrbridge and Moy.

"We need the right to continue that process this year because 5,000 jobs depend on this initiative

"When times are tough the creation of wealth is an imperative.

"We prioritise the front line because we know that it is the ordinary people who depend on public services.

"That includes the additional 40,000 young Scots who will now enjoy free, healthy school meals

"The 600,000 low income Scots who will feel the benefit of lower prescription charges

"And the more than 1 million older Scots who will keep their free bus pass with the SNP

"DELEGATES, WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH THE SHARING OF WEALTH IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE.

"This is who we are and what we do.

"And the more who rally to our cause, the more who add their voices to our voice, the more we can achieve.

"Delegates, Gordon Wilson, in his recently published book, The Turbulent Years – and I have to confess I perhaps helped cause a wee bit of the turbulence! – Gordon tells the story of how the SNP first won in Dundee. I think it is fair to say that at the start of the 70's Dundee East was not at the top of any target list. Gordon and his team knew they had a long climb to victory. And in February 1974 they achieved it.

"And they put in place a party and an organisation that today sees the SNP, for the first time, leading the council, with an MP and both MSPs and poised to win in both Dundee East and West next year.

"Delegates there are two points to this story. First it is to recognise that whatever success we enjoy today is not ours alone. We owe so much to those men and women who knocked doors and filled envelopes, who organised and those who led before us.

"And second, it is that no seat, no vote is out of reach. Every part of our country can become a Dundee East, a Banff and Buchan, a Glasgow Govan or Edinburgh East.

"Much has been achieved, and there is much more to do.

"Next year Scotland's voice must be heard. Decisions will be taken at Westminster that impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people we work with, the people we care about, the people we represent.

"Labour and Tories can never, will never, put the people of Scotland first.

"Choices will be made, to cut Trident and ID cards or cut health and schools.

"Delegates, our priorities are what define us – by our priorities we will be judged and by our deeds will we be known.

"What more could we do with the £100 billion to replace Trident. £100 billion is a big number, but what does it really mean?

"It is three times the annual Scottish Budget – three times the amount we spend on all our public services in a year.

"It is 50 new Forth Crossings.

"Enough to fund the NHS in Scotland for a full decade.

"There are Labour cuts and Tory cuts.

"They say there is no more money for Scottish health and education.

"And choose to spend £100 billion on new nuclear weapons.

"We say they are wrong and will be shown to be wrong in the general election

"And delegates today Labour says no to Scotland at Westminster – no to our calls for a further acceleration of capital spending: spending that would protect and provide thousands of jobs.

"No when we ask for the Barnett formula to be applied to regeneration spending around the Olympics. Why shouldn’t Glasgow be treated the same as London?

"And no, to the release of the £160 million fossil fuel levy – money that is sitting frozen in a London bank account, scandalously wasted. Money that could be invested now in Scotland's renewables future and creating jobs in house insulation.

"But Scotland's voice can be heard.

"Votes for the SNP will turn all these noes into yeses from the London government. A Scottish bloc of MPs will unblock Westminster.

"We shall use voting power to make London dance to a Scottish tune.

"Delegates, much has been achieved, and there is more to do.

"As Scotland's government, we will protect our vital public services and invest more in the frontline.

"I said earlier that this speech would be about choices.

"And there are some big choices in Scottish politics today.

"We choose the frontline and the NHS.

"£842 million on the new Southern General in Glasgow. Delegates, we won't let Labour undermine this flagship project.

"£95 million on the new Grampian Emergency Care Centre, a project that started construction over the summer.

"New hospitals and new equipment

"It is our choice to invest in the most up to date technology across Scotland.

"And so let me announce today £7.5 million of capital investment that we will spend, next year, replacing the 710 defibrillators in Scotland's ambulance fleet – helping us improve survival rates – nationwide - for heart attacks.

"And just this week, the go ahead given to Raigmore Hospital to buy the equipment to bring life-saving state-of-the-art radiotherapy treatment to Inverness, for the first time.

"Giving the people of the Highlands local access to the very best cancer treatment and care.

"In the face of the biggest cut in our budget since devolution, these are our priorities and I have no doubt Scotland's priorities too.

"Let Labour campaign for an airlink– delegates, we choose Scotland's NHS.

"And delegates, when we came to office, 260,000 Scottish pupils were being taught in schools that were well past their best. That was a national disgrace and the legacy of a decade of Labour rule.

"In our first two years, we have lifted 100,000 young Scots out of the worst condition schools. And through our partnership with Scotland's local authorities, I can reveal today that by the end of the next school year a further 30,000 Scottish children will be lifted out of the worst condition schools into first class accommodation.

"The SNP – in our first term - cutting by half the number of pupils left in poor condition schools.

"The SNP sorting out the legacy of eight wasted Labour-Liberal years.

"Delegates, we are the party of Scotland's NHS and Scottish education.

"And we are the party of jobs and recovery.

"Since the first signs of recession, we have been working hard to protect and create jobs and support our communities.

"We have been investing in education, in skills and in the industries that will deliver a more prosperous future.

"Our economic recovery plan is in place and it is working.

"And this government will work flat out to bring new jobs to Scotland.

"And delegates, I am delighted to announce today the most recent RSA awards for 32 businesses across Scotland.

"£19 million from the Scottish Government, supporting projects with planned investment of over £70 million.

"Projects in Dundee, in Paisley, in Fife, in Annan, in Glasgow, in Girvan, in Edinburgh, LifeScan here in Inverness, in Fraserburgh, Stirling, Dalgety Bay, Glenrothes, Aberdeen and East Kilbride - projects with the potential to safeguard and create almost 2,500 jobs across Scotland.

"Delegates, we've got what it takes to drive recovery for all of Scotland.

"And yes there is much more to do and yes we need more powers to achieve it.

"Independence is the key to Scotland's future and Scotland's success.

"Delegates, there isn’t one single reason for independence. There are more than 5 million reasons why Scotland needs independence.

"For the people many, who have waited a life time – for those, with a life time ahead. Each and every one, has a stake in the future only independence can bring.

"A future where our nation enjoys equality and opportunity. With no limits on what, together, we can achieve.

"Delegates, the people of Scotland will have their say.

"And we will offer a new relationship on these isles, a relationship of equals, a new, modern partnership, a social union that cements the friendship and bonds that have been built up and frees Scotland to flourish.

"A partnership that means we work together when that is right and take our own path when that is in Scotland's best interests.

"Our own path towards prosperity - so jobs are not lost from Scotland because we can't compete.

"Our own path towards greater security – with our natural wealth invested in an Energy Fund – providing strength, stability, and protection for future generations.

"And our own path towards peace – free to remove the obscenity of Trident from Scotland's shores.

"After ten years of devolution, the time is coming for this next step forward.

"Because, Scotland's has got what it takes – for independence."

SPEECH BY JUSTICE SECRETARY, KENNY MacASKILL MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SPEECH BY JUSTICE SECRETARY, KENNY MacASKILL MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SCOTTISH POLICE HAVE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO TACKLE KNIFE CRIME

Speaking at the SNP’s 75th Annual conference in Inverness today (Friday) at the Eden Court Theatre, the Cabinet Secretary Justice , Kenny MacAskill MSP, announced that every police force in Scotland will be issued with new metal detectors in the effort to tackle knife crime.

Commenting Mr MacAskill said:

“Good afternoon delegates.

"We’re back in Inverness for another conference and some of that old-time religion.

"There’s some who accuse me of launching a temperance crusade. They seem to forget my own past form! You can rest assured you’ll be fine in the bars tonight.

"Seriously though, delegates, things have moved on significantly we last gathered here five years ago.

"We have grown as a Party and as a country.

"And this last year has been one in which we have celebrated our enduring links with the Scots Diaspora the world over.

"For me, that involved a visit to Canada and the particular challenges of wearing a kilt in temperatures of minus 28 degrees – the things we do in the line of duty!

"That visit to Toronto and Nova Scotia at the start of the year gave me the chance to reflect on our place in the wider world and the deep well of goodwill and affinity there is for Scotland around the globe.

"Let me repeat what I said on that visit to Nova Scotia and Toronto:

"..."It’s 387 years since Scottish settlers first landed in Canada, 236 years since the “The Hector” berthed in Nova Scotia and 250 years since the birth of our National Bard.

"Despite over 300 years of an incorporating union and but 10 years since the reconvening of Scotland’s Parliament our shared Scottish identity has survived.

"That is truly remarkable. Our common identity remains strong, not just across the North Atlantic, but around the world. It is truly exceptional that people have sought to retain this common bond when often they left with only an education.

"But whoever and however they came – they remembered the land they left behind.”

"Ladies and Gentlemen,

"I was proud to be able to convey those sentiments on behalf of the Government and people of Scotland. As I say, it is truly remarkable that so many still retain an affinity and an abiding affection for the land their forebears left, sometimes generations ago.

"Fellow delegates, I want to talk this afternoon about the strong and effective justice system we have in Scotland. Of course, neither “the boy” Baker nor “British bulldog” Bill Aitken let the facts get in the way of a good rammy.

"Their irresponsible opportunism was never better demonstrated than over the issue of inmates absconding from open prisons.

"Let’s be quite clear. We take any abscond very seriously indeed. But let’s look at the facts. In 1993, under a Conservative Government there were 95 absconds. In 2006-07, under a devolved Lib/Lab Government there were 79 absconds. In 2008-09, under the first ever SNP administration there were 16 absconds, a fifth the rate it was in the last year of the Labour administration and an eighth of what it was in the last year of the Tories.

"Action had to be taken and it was. A review was carried out by an eminent academic and former Governor and action will follow. But this Government’s record stands in stark comparison to theirs. That irresponsible oppositionism threatened the viability of the Open Estate - a fundamental part of the prison system, introduced by a Tory Government in the 1950s.

"But, I was proud to receive the support of the Prison Officers Association in Scotland.

"This year we have been continuing the policies that we embarked upon on election to office, underlining our pledge to make Scotland a stronger and safer country.

"And delegates, nothing could be more fundamental to the safety of our communities than a visible police presence in our communities, reassuring good citizens and deterring bad.

"That is why I am proud that this SNP Government has more than delivered on our manifesto commitment on police numbers. A little over two years since we took office, there are 1,044 more policemen and women than when we entered Government. Some of our opponents said we would never do it – but there we have it, two years ahead of schedule, an all-time record number of police officers in Scotland, delivered by this SNP Government.

"We are also making our communities safer by tackling the scourge of knife crime. My colleague Fergus Ewing has been acting throughout the year to address this most serious of issues.

"Tough laws. Longer sentences. And concerted action to break the culturethat afflicts too many of our towns and cities. But last year recorded crime fell to the lowest for nearly 30 years. Violent crime is down to the lowest level since 1986.

"And knife crime in 2008-09 was down 11 per cent from the level we inherited from Labour.

"In addition, over 250,000 stop and searches carried out, to prevent as well as prosecute.

"Today I can announce that we will be providing additional resources for every police force in Scotland to be able to carry out more effective searches to make our communities safer. Every police force will be provided with mobile scanners to detect knives and other weapons carried on the street.

"Not only have we established a Serious and Organised Crime Task Force, but we are bringing in new and tough laws. Taking on and taking down the Mr Bigs. Those who perpetrate evil in our communities are being detained and as well as punishing them, we are stripping them of their ill-gotten gains. We will not allow hard working Scots to be undermined by individuals or businesses that are either a front for, or built on, the profits of organised crime.

"And we are working towards a coherent penal policy, where prisons are for those who are a danger to our communities or commit a crime of such magnitude that no other sentence is appropriate. They should not, and will not, be free bed and board for those who perpetrate low level offences and who should pay back the harm they have done through the sweat of their brow. A new prison has been opened for those who have to be detained and significant resources have been put in to ensure that those who need to do a hard day’s work do so.

"And it’s not just the criminal law we are advancing and improving, but our civil jurisdiction. We have to drive our legal system forward into the 21st century when, after all, our senior Judges acknowledge that improvements can and must be made. Action is being taken to change the structures of the legal profession. And given the difficult economic times we face changes have been brought in to the legal aid scheme so that three quarters of all Scots are now eligible.

"And we delivered on our commitment on justice for those who suffer from pleural plaques. We weighed in the scales of justice the needs of our people who have suffered and the complaints of the insurers who objected. We are proud to have delivered justice for those who have suffered. And we also continue the battle against booze. Re-configuring Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol. When we first mentioned this several Conferences ago, we were accused of scare-mongering and, perish the thought, of me being over the top! Now it is accepted as the norm.

"We cannot go on as we are. Action needs to be taken and this Government is seeking to deliver it. We need to have responsibility in alcohol. In how it’s promoted. In how it’s priced. And in how it’s consumed. Action has already commenced on how it is promoted with new legislation which came in on 1st September this year.

"However, let’s be under no doubt that price is a factor. Cheap drink is not a right, but access to sports, arts and leisure must never be a luxury for our children. That’s why we continue with huge investment into the Cashback for Communities Scheme. Football. Rugby. Basketball. Music. Drama. There is something out there for every bairn rather than hanging around street corners drinking cheap hooch and getting into bother. Those who seek to defend the right to sell cheap, high-strength drink in our communities - irrespective of the harm it causes - should hang their heads in shame.

"Delegates, I consider it an absolute privilege to serve as Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Justice.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Lockerbie bombing was the worst terrorist atrocity ever perpetrated not just in Scotland but in the British Isles.

"It will never be forgotten. The applications for the release of Mr Al Megrahi were not matters I chose to decide upon. But, they were decisions that fell to me given the position I am privileged to hold.

"The decision was mine and mine alone. But others did play a huge part and I pay tribute to them. I was ably supported by officials. Sustained by colleagues. Guided by the laws of Scotland and the values of the people of Scotland. There is one individual sadly no longer with us though to whom I must pay tribute. He lectured in those laws and he epitomised those values. He taught me and he taught me well. We remember Professor Sir Neil MacCormick.

"Iain Gray said he opposed my decision – but only after I had taken it. Even then Gordon Brown couldn’t decide whether he was for it or against it. Many Labour MPs and MSPs have since told me that they agreed with my decision but none of them have spoken out. Only Malcolm Chisholm had the courage of his convictions.

"Scotland’s laws and Scottish values dictate that justice must be done but that mercy must be available. To act otherwise would be to discard the values by which we seek to live and debase the beliefs which we seek to uphold.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I said in Parliament that it was my decision and my decision alone. It was not based on political, economic or diplomatic grounds. It was taken the right way, for the right reasons and I believe it was the right decision.

"Fellow delegates, as we look forward isn’t it absurd that Scotland’s Parliament is still not competent to legislate to ban air guns or even lower the drink drive limit. Our Government has shown itself to be capable in many matters. It’s time that our Parliament had the competence to act as other sovereign nations do. It’s time we had the powers of an independent Parliament.

"As my good friend Charlie Reid of the Proclaimers sings:

"..."we fight when they ask us, we boast then we cower, we beg for a piece of what’s already ours.”

"We still fight when they ask us. And whether on the Plains of Abraham or in the hills of Afghanistan, our soldiers serve us with pride. They deserve better.

"..."We boast then we cower.” – well, not under this Government or this First Minister. We stand up for our principles and defend our values. We’ve shown that we’ve got what it takes as a Government and as a Nation to take big decisions.

"..."We beg for a piece of what’s already ours.” We don’t want pocket money from the Calman Commission or anyone else. We only want what is rightfully ours. We want to be able to ensure that in tough economic times that it’s those who have the most who contribute the most. The right to spend on our poor and our pensioners not on weapons of mass destruction. The right to use our oil wealth for the good of our people not a war in Iraq.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as we consider our nation’s future, I am minded of the Irish lawyer and patriot Robert Emmet who said when my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then may my epitaph be written. There is work to be done. But we have shown that we’ve got what it takes – there’s a nation to build and elections to win. Let’s get to it.

SPEECH BY FINANCE SECRETARY, JOHN SWINNEY MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

SPEECH BY FINANCE SECRETARY, JOHN SWINNEY MSP, TO SNP ANNUAL CONFERENCE

WE’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO DRIVE RECOVERY AND INVEST IN PUBLIC SERVICES

Speaking at the SNP’s 75th Annual conference in Inverness today (Friday) at the Eden Court Theatre, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Development , John Swinney MSP, said Scotland and its Government has what it takes to drive recovery and invest in Scotland’s public services.

Commenting Mr Swinney said:

"Since our Conference last met in Perth, the agenda of our Scottish Government has focused relentlessly on tackling the challenges facing our country – the need to deliver economic recovery, the difficulties caused by cuts to our Budget from the UK Labour Government, the importance of protecting frontline public services and the need to make our contribution to tackling climate change.

"All of these issues have been to the fore in my work as Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth. But I have been greatly assisted in this task by my colleagues. By the First Minister and the members of the Cabinet. By the members of the Parliamentary Group. And particularly by my Ministerial team, Stewart Stevenson as Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change and Jim Mather as Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism. And we have all been assisted by our two Parliamentary Liaison Officers, Joe FitzPatrick and Shirley-Anne Somerville. Please join me in thanking a fantastic team.

Climate Change

"One of the high points of the parliamentary year has been the passage of the Climate Change Act, recognised around the world as the best and the most ambitious piece of legislation to tackle one of the greatest problems facing humankind. We formulated that Act with a great deal of dialogue and discussion, bringing together parliamentary opinion, with public opinion and opinion within the broad range of non-governmental organisations. We built a consensus of ambition that we could and should act. And we have backed up this legislation with a delivery plan to demonstrate how in transport, energy, business and household activity we can achieve these ambitious targets.

"On Tuesday, I met European Commissioner Dimas in Brussels. Commissioner Dimas has responsibility for Climate Change issues. His first words to me were that Scotland had passed excellent and ambitious legislation on Climate Change. I was proud to be representing Scotland and our SNP Government in that discussion.

"Many people ask why are we acting on this subject? Many ask what difference Scotland can make to a global problem into which we are relatively minor contributors?

"Our answer is crystal clear. We are determined to be responsible citizens of the world. Scotland has shown on the issue of climate change that we can lead on the international stage. Scotland can have a strong voice in the world.

"Our country has rightly won strong plaudits across the world for our actions and leadership on climate change. We have a great story to tell, a great example to explain. We want to share that story with the global climate change summit in Copenhagen and have appealed – in a spirit of partnership – to the UK Government to enable our Ministers to be part of that delegation. Despite the support of NGOs and other devolved administrations, the UK Government has said no.

"Scotland should be at the centre of the process and no matter what the UK Government says, our Government will make sure Scotland’s voice is heard on the international stage.

Economic Recovery

"On the international stage we have promoted Scottish interests and here at home we have worked to protect Scottish interests. And that has been no more so than on the economy.

"In July last year, long before the Treasury acted, long before the UK Government started to intervene, our SNP Government started to form our Economic Recovery Plan. We recognised times were going to get tough and we needed to be quick off the mark to deal with the consequences.

"Our early action to accelerate capital spending on housing put more resources into new social house building and kept construction workers in jobs. Our priority to distribute European Structural and Social Funds sustained employment and gave new skills training opportunities with over £335 million supporting 474 projects across Scotland.

"The further announcements on accelerated capital spending have seen local authorities spend £90 million on new or refurbished schools, social work and recreational facilities.

"£29 million has been invested to deliver road improvements on the A9 and the A96 and enhanced park-and-ride facilities.

"Projects have been taken forward to develop the SECC in Glasgow and also the Fife Energy Park. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has match funded infrastructure projects with the University of the Highlands and Islands and has advanced other projects in Moray and Argyll.

"These are just some of the projects taken forward. And they have all had the benefit of keeping people in employment with new opportunities across Scotland. And although the conditions have been tough, these measures, and the actions of our Government, have kept unemployment in Scotland lower than the rest of the United Kingdom and economic activity higher in Scotland than the rest of the UK. Protecting jobs - that’s the record of this SNP Government.

"Our Economic Recovery Plan has had a beneficial effect on Scotland at a time of recession. Our Plan is supporting 15,000 jobs in Scotland and giving vital support to the construction industry. That is why we want to do more. Because we operate within a fixed budget, we cannot just deploy new resources much as we would like to do. Without the consent of the Chancellor we cannot stretch our Budget to meet the essential investment objectives that we know are working for Scotland and which we wish to see delivered.

"We believe there is a compelling case for the Chancellor to assist economic recovery by further accelerating capital budgets into 2010-11 in order to support thousands of jobs across Scotland in these tough economic times. With further acceleration of capital expenditure, we can invest in key sectors of our economy such as housing, transport and other infrastructure activities that are essential to the safeguarding of jobs and to recovery.

"The Chancellor has an opportunity in his Pre-Budget Report to accelerate more capital expenditure. For every £100 million in extra capital spending, we can safeguard 1,500 jobs in our country. We call on the Chancellor today to deliver the resources and the impetus and opportunity to enable this Government to protect the livelihoods of people in Scotland.

"From our first days in office our Government has been focused on improving Scotland’s economy. The Recession has not changed our focus – it has simply increased the scale of the challenge.

"Our early actions have clearly established the foundations of recovery. Focusing our enterprise agencies on supporting the businesses that can grow and create new employment. Supporting the new industries like renewables that have such potential for development with a quarter of Europe’s wind and tidal power alone.

"And supporting the back bone of our economy – the small business sector – with the Small Business Bonus Scheme that has cut or abolished business rates for thousands of small companies. Real action to safeguard our small businesses in Scotland.

"And we have done more. When we came to office, the Government had a poor record at paying its own bills on time. The target was to pay bills within 30 days and even that target was regularly failed. Spurred on by the First Minister’s direction, we set a new target of paying the Government’s bills within 10 days to give vital cash flow to our business community. And I am delighted to report to conference today that last week Scotland’s Government settled 95.3% of its bills in 10 days giving real help to the businesses of Scotland.

"One of the groups that we believe has a key role to play in economic recovery and in changing the way we do business is the third sector. That’s why we increased funding for Scotland’s voluntary organisations in this spending period by 37%.

"For the first time, Government is focused on building the social economy and developing a new generation of social enterprises that can create new opportunities for some of the hardest to reach in our society. We have established the Scottish Investment Fund that is now distributing support to develop the social enterprise sector.

"And we have been working with the third sector and our local authority partners to ensure the third sector has a strong place at the top table of decision making in Scotland. Just two weeks ago we published along with COSLA a statement that entrenches the role of the third sector in Scottish public policy. This is a welcome step.

"But we recognise that the third sector is not immune to the current financial difficulties and faces some tough times. For that reasons I was delighted to announce the Government has established a Resilience Fund totalling £1.7 million to give additional support to the third sector in these difficult times.

"And I am delighted to announce a further measure today to extend the entitlement to water rates relief to small charitable organisations for another five years. I am also pleased to announce that we will be increasing the maximum income of those benefiting from the scheme to ensure that more of our charities can benefit.

"The third sector makes a big contribution to our economy as well as the social fabric of our nation. These measures will ensure that small charities, churches and voluntary organisations have more assistance at a tough time. This Government is determined the voluntary sector will be at the heart of our efforts to increase sustainable economic growth in Scotland.

Scottish Budget

"My core duty is to manage the public finances of Scotland and to ensure we set and deliver a balanced Budget each year. There is no room for over-spend in the fixed budgets of devolution. No room for running up a new deficit of £180billion as Alistair Darling has just done. We have to live within our means. And this SNP Government has proven – each year we have been in office – that we can set a balanced Budget, that we can implement a balanced Budget. The SNP Government knows how to manage the people’s money.

"Earlier this year of course we had a bit of a hiccup in the Budget process. Some of the Opposition parties thought they could have their cake and eat it. They thought they could vote against the Budget without any consequences. They thought there was a way to attack the Budget and not face up to their responsibilities. A week after voting against the Budget the Opposition were back – but this time - they were voting for the Budget. They found out the hard way that you can’t play games with the public services of Scotland.

"And I hope those lessons are to the fore in the thinking of Opposition parties in forming next year’s Budget. I have presented the draft budget to Parliament against the backdrop of a significant squeeze on public expenditure. The Scottish Government's departmental expenditure limit—the money over which we have direct control—will reduce in real terms by 0.9 per cent, compared with this year.

"That is the first real-terms cut in the Scottish budget since devolution imposed by Westminster. We have taken the correct decisions to accelerate capital expenditure in order to counter the effects of recession. That step has helped to boost the economy, but the Treasury requirement to repay that resource at a critical point at the start of economic recovery, poses a threat to that recovery.

"But the real terms cut is also happening because the Chancellor of the Exchequer has decided to reduce our budgets with a £392 million cut in the planned resource budget and a £129 million cut in the Scottish Government's planned capital budget. So when people say beware the cuts of a future Tory Government – and we know the cuts the Tories’ can make - I say don’t forget the £500 million cuts from the current Labour Government.

"Those pressures in 2010-11 will be the first of a sequence of pressures on the public finances. A range of forecasters predict significant real-terms cuts to the Scottish budget of up to 8.5 per cent between this year and the end of 2013-14. Reductions of that size would bring substantial challenges, so our decisions in this budget must take account of the medium-term outlook.

"It’s for that reason the Government has taken a set of very difficult decisions in forming the Scottish Budget for 2010/11. One of those difficult decisions was to cancel the Glasgow Airport Rail Link. I know that decision has disappointed some people. But we have to be able to put the public finances on a stable footing for the years to come. And we have given a commitment to the City of Glasgow to give new support to the Fastlink transport system and the upgrade of Dalmarnock Station for use in the Commonwealth Games, two decisions that will significantly enhance transport connections in the City of Glasgow. This is something the SNP Government is completing, something labour never fulfilled the M74, upgrading the M80 and spending £1 billion to improve the Glasgow Edinburgh rail infrastructure.

"And there are other actions that we have taken to deal with the Chancellor’s cuts. First, our core Scottish Government administration budget will be cut by £14 million in 2010-11. We accept that, while asking others to save money, we must rein back our central Government spending.

"Secondly, we are asking local government to take its pro-rata share of the Chancellor's cuts. Scottish local authorities have said they will work within these new limits to protect public services working in a spirit of partnership with the Government. We welcome that approach.

"Thirdly, additional savings will be found by reducing spending on a number of projects and programmes that give us a better ability to protect frontline services and economic recovery.

"At the UK party conferences over the last few weeks, there has been a Dutch auction about public spending cuts and the effect on public services. Nick Clegg wanted savage cuts and then got into a guddle about what that meant. Gordon Brown – forever on the fence - couldn’t decide if he was cutting public spending and then went for it, as usual, in a panic. And the Tories – well – you heard what I had to say about the Tories on public spending.

"Our approach has been different. We have taken the difficult decisions within Government to protect the programmes that matter most to the people of Scotland: spending on front-line public services, such as schools and hospitals; our economic recovery plan, including support for skills development and hard-pressed businesses; and programmes that help to protect households at a time of economic hardship. This Government doesn’t play games. This Government’s got what it takes to manage Scotland’s public services.

"So our Budget for 2010/11 will maintain investment in our economic recovery plan. We will invest in the new technologies and industries of the future. We will continue with the small business bonus scheme. We will invest in the rail network in Scotland to encourage greater use of our public transport systems and we will provide free bus travel to more than 1 million people – including extending that to injured veterans.

"We are delivering sustained investment in Scotland's health service, making sure Scotland is well prepared to respond to the flu pandemic.

"We are supporting investment in the further and higher education sectors and are protecting the essential investment in skills that will enable us to emerge from economic difficulties.

"We are taking forward our £1.25 billion school building programme, which will see young Scots in communities across Scotland benefit from the best possible learning environment.

"Our partnership with local government means that we will work together to deliver all the commitments that were made in the concordat that was signed in November 2007. Local Government will be receiving – as we promised – a rising share of public expenditure in Scotland. That reverses the trend under Labour and the Lib Dems and demonstrates this Government’s commitment to invest in frontline services in the communities of Scotland.

"And our financial agreement with local government provides for us – working in partnership - to put more money in people's pockets, with resources being made available once again to freeze the council tax for the third year in succession – real help to Scotland’s hard-pressed families.

"Our approach also ensures that money is available to meet commitments that were given in previous budgets, such as additional investment in modern apprenticeships, the on-going development of the home insulation programme and the Edinburgh capital city supplement. We will continue to prioritise spending on action to combat climate change across a range of Government programmes, and specifically through the climate challenge fund, which is assisting community action to reduce emissions.

"And although we are working within very tight constraints of public spending, this SNP Government will never forget those who are not as fortunate as we are here in Scotland. We have international obligations whether on the issue of climate change or the need for international development. So I know Conference will welcome the fact that in a tight public spending environment the Scottish Government will propose to increase the budget for international development from £6 million to £9 million next year.
Fiscal Autonomy

"Running through my comments today has been the current necessity for restrictions that force our Government to operate within a fixed financial envelope set by the UK Government with only limited flexibility. We have demonstrated we have the skill to steward the nation’s resources. And we believe that the nation should be trusted to deal with its own finances.

"Our opponents came up with a wheeze to compete with our dynamic agenda for Scotland – a wheeze called the Calman Commission. It devised a scheme that could never be described as dynamic nor ambitious but we should consider what it offers.

"On income tax, Calman’s proposals would expose the Scottish Budget to a significant degree of volatility and vulnerability without giving us the levers of economic control to counter these effects. And even if revenues were rising in Scotland, we would still not be the beneficiaries. The UK Government would remain in the driving seat of controlling the Scottish economy while the Scottish Government would be left picking up the pieces. And who would want to pick up the pieces of this UK Labour Government’s handling of our economy. Under Calman, over 80% of revenues generated in Scotland would flow to the UK Government and despite the views of their expert panel Calman proposes no share for Scotland of North Sea Revenues.

"On borrowing, Calman has a more positive proposal, conceding that borrowing powers would help the efficient planning of public projects in Scotland and we agree. The problem is there is no action on the Calman agenda. Labour has stalled and are silent. The Tories are in retreat promising no action for years. And the Lib Dems now realise they have been taken for mugs and their members are pressing to support our Referendum on Independence.

"History could not be clearer. Scotland’s political and constitutional agenda moves ahead only when the driving seat is occupied by the SNP. As public spending gets tighter, and the absurdity of wasting billions on new Trident missiles becomes ever more obvious, the need for Scotland to take our own financial and economic decisions is paramount to safeguard the future of our country.

Conclusion

"Delegates, as we meet for our 75th Conference, our Party and our ideals have come a long way.

"From the imagination and aspiration of our founders, to the principled and disciplined approach of our Government, we have remained true to the ideals that set this Party on its journey. The ideals of freedom, equality and a determination that Scotland should play her full part in the world.

"Our founders were told they would never get a Party off the ground. And they did.

"They were told they would never enter Parliament. And they won seats.

"We were told we would never have a Scottish Parliament. And we have one now.

"We were told we were the party of permanent opposition. And we are now the Government of Scotland.

"Our next step is to win the argument for Independence. And we’ve got what it takes to win that NOW."