NICOLA STURGEON - CONFERENCE SPEECH
Speaking today to
delegates at the party's conference at the Macdonald Aviemore
Highland Resort, SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon MSP today laid
out the party's policy platform as it sets it's sights on winning
the Scottish Parliament Elections in 2007.
"Fellow nationalists,
we were privileged this morning to pay tribute to Winnie Ewing. To
an outstanding political career; to a true Scottish patriot, and to
a quite remarkable woman.
"I have to admit that
I wasn't even born when Winnie won Hamilton in 1967. Yet her example
has inspired me. And I know it has inspired each and every one of
us.
"Hamilton was a
by-election in which the SNP was the challenger but by no means the
certain victor. It was hard work, inspired campaigning and a
formidable candidate that made it a historic success.
"And it is hard work,
inspired campaigning and the formidable talents of Angela Constance
and Maire Whitehead, bright, able, determined women just like Winnie
- that will produce historic success next week as well.
"Fellow delegates,
this has been a Conference full of tributes to Winnie. But the very
best tribute we can pay to her is not in words from this platform -
heartfelt though they are. It is in our actions today, tomorrow
and everyday until we achieve what Winnie has worked so hard and so
long to achieve.
"For it falls to us
now to complete the work she started. To fulfil her dream. Our
dream. To win Independence for Scotland, for our country, that every
other country takes for granted.
"Delegates, as the
opposition in Scotland, we have a duty to hold the government to
account. And we will. But to win government and, from there, to win
our Independence, we must do more. We must lead and inspire. We must
be positive and confident. We must see not what's wrong with
Scotland but what, with effort, can be made right.
"That's why I want my
speech today to be different from what you might expect. We can
spend too much time talking about the failings of our political
opponents. And, let's face it, with Jack McConnell in charge, there
are failings aplenty to talk about.
"But people in
Scotland don't just want to hear about what doesn't work. They want
to hear about what will work. What people want to hear from the SNP
is the good news, the positive news, the news that makes us
different.
"They want to know
how we'll tackle long waiting lists in the health service; restore
confidence in the justice system; get our economy growing; and put
excellence back at the heart of Scottish education.
"Our job as we
approach the elections in 2007 is to give the Scottish people the
answers to those questions. Today, I want to make a start. To begin
to set out how an SNP government will make a difference to the lives
of people in Scotland.
"How we will build a
successful, compassionate and confident Scotland. How we will foster
a culture of Independence; Independence for Scots as well as for
Scotland.
"I want the SNP to be
the party of opportunity and aspiration. A government that puts the
economy first because we know it's the only way to earn the wealth
to fund the fair society we want.
"We'll cut
corporation tax because we know from our European competitors, like
Ireland and Sweden, that it's the way to grow our nation's wealth.
But an SNP government will do more.
"We'll stand up for
our businesses and our industries. We'll encourage them to grow and
we'll defend them when they are under threat. That's what
governments the length and breadth of Europe do. And it's what an
SNP government will do.
"Yes, we will be
economic patriots - and we will be proud to be so. Economic
patriotism means that an SNP government would never have favoured a
subsidised Polish shipyard over Ferguson's shipyard on the Clyde - a
Scottish yard supporting Scottish jobs.
"The Labour/Liberal
government that sold Ferguson's down the river tells us we need to
play by the rules. Well, we will play by the rules. But the first
rule will be this: we will never let Scottish industries and
Scottish jobs be destroyed by those who are bending the rules.
"Jack McConnell was
recently taken to task by two of Scotland's most successful business
folk for not flying the flag for Scottish business. His response was
to call them "idiots".
"They weren't being
idiotic. It is not idiotic to promote Scottish business and Scottish
jobs. It is idiotic not to and if Jack McConnell can't see that then
he is not fit to be First Minister of this nation.
"Delegates, economic
patriotism also means that an SNP government would never stand by,
saying and doing nothing while our biggest industrial company is
targeted for take-over by an overseas competitor.
"Scottish Power pays
the wages of 6000 people across this country. It is of enormous
strategic importance to Scotland. And we cannot afford to lose it.
There are those who say we don't understand the global economy.
"Well, I say, we
understand it all too well. We know that across Europe and the
world, responsible governments defend their national champions and
their national economic interest. And we understand that without
major Scottish players on the world stage, Scotland can't take part
in and benefit from the global economy.
"So, let me make this
pledge loudly and clearly. We will stand up for Scottish Power. And
it is to Labour's shame that they refuse to do so.
"Delegates, if the
economy is the bedrock of our society, then people are the bedrock
of our economy. The Scottish people are this nation's most valuable
asset. Young people are the foundation on which our future will be
built.
"One of the most
disgraceful acts of this Labour government when it first took office
was the introduction of university tuition fees. It was shameful to
watch a whole generation of Labour politicians who benefited from a
free education choose to pull up the ladder of opportunity behind
them.
"I am proud that we
have reaffirmed at this conference our unswerving commitment to free
education. We will abolish tuition fees - front door, back door, any
door - and we will restore grants.
"But we will do more.
The average graduate now leaves university burdened with student
loan debt. It is a drain on our economy and it holds young people
back. That is why it is right that we should aim to write off that
debt - that Tory/Labour/Liberal debt. And give our young people a
clean slate and a fresh start.
"Delegates, young
people will always want to see the world. But we must encourage them
to put down roots here in Scotland, to help build our country. And
so an SNP government will also introduce first time buyers' grants
to give everyone a better chance of making a start with a home of
their own.
"We will do all of
this because we understand that it is only if we invest in our young
people, that will they invest in our future. But we want to foster a
culture of independence for every generation.
"An SNP government
will help pensioners and families too. We'll get rid, once and for
all, of the unfair council tax. The council tax that has gone up by
55 per cent under Labour and which hits hardest those who can least
afford to pay it.
"We'll put in its
place a local income tax, based on ability to pay. Under our
proposals, a majority of pensioners will pay nothing and most people
will pay less than they do now.
"It is called
fairness. It is a principle that old Labour used to believe in but
that New Labour has betrayed.
"Delegates, By being
successful economically, by reducing the burden on individuals so
that they can make the most of their own lives, we can build success
in other ways too. We can build a more compassionate Scotland.
"A Scotland that is
proud to be judged by the quality of our vital public services. It
is not acceptable that thousands of people in Scotland languish on
hidden waiting lists - put there simply to make this Executive look
a bit better.
"We will get rid of
that duplicity and spin. With the SNP what we promise is what you
will get. No ifs, no buts, no cover ups, no lies. Patients are
people and they have a right to honesty and respect. They also have
a right to be treated as individuals.
"Every patient has
different needs. In a small, wealthy, oil rich country like
Scotland, we should have a health service capable of meeting those
needs.
"I can announce today
that an SNP government will introduce a Patients' Rights Act. It
will give every patient the statutory right to an individual waiting
time guarantee, based on their own needs. And it will give them a
right of redress if it is not met.
"But these ambitious
targets will only be met with reform of our NHS.
Not simply by
throwing more and more money at it. But by facing up to
the challenge of
reform. We will build capacity in our health service.
But we will also
introduce a new funding system for hospitals that will
increase efficiency
and ensure that more patients are treated faster.
"But delegates, there
will be even more clear water between Labour and the SNP on health.
An SNP government will not privatise the health service. Not now.
Not ever.
"We will not use
taxpayers' money, like Labour, to help the private sector undermine
the NHS. That will be the SNP guarantee. And what we guarantee is
what you will get. A truly national health service. Delivered by the
nation, for the nation, free at the point of need.
"Delegates, the
future of our country depends on the wellbeing and confidence of our
people. Poverty, deprivation and ill health are evils that still
stalk too many of our fellow citizens. They blight lives and they
break communities. We will heal them by restoring compassion and
justice to our society.
"Compassion and
justice. I don't believe - as the UN reported a few days ago that
Scotland is the most violent country in the world. But I do believe
we need tougher action on violent crime.
"Everyone accused of
a crime is innocent until proven guilty. But it wrong that every
year more than 4000 people charged with a serious crime of violence,
including murder and sexual assault, are freed on bail, too often to
offend again.
"Justice is the
foundation of a safe society. It is the foundation of a society in
which people can feel confident. But confidence also comes from how
we see ourselves as a nation.
"Look around Europe
and the world and you will see many small, confident, successful
nations, sure of themselves and of their place in the world. They
all have one thing in common. Independence.
"Take Norway. This
year Norway celebrates 100 years of independence. It is the second
richest country in the world. Voted by the UN for the 5th year in a
row the best place on earth to live. It's no co-incidence that
Norway is so successful.
"It is successful
because it is independent. Norway has public services to be proud
of. The people's wages are a third higher than ours. Norway has an
oil fund of £100bn that is being invested in the future of her
citizens.
"We could have all
that too. We could have had it a generation ago, if successive Tory
and Labour governments had not lied about our oil wealth. And,
delegates, they did lie. And they kept on lying.
"Do you remember the
one about how it wasn't Scotland's oil anyway? Well, let me read to
you from the secret document.
'Its hard to see any
conclusion other than to allow Scotland to have that part of the
continental shelf which would have been hers if she had been
independent all along.'
"Put simply,
delegates - it WAS Scotland's oil. It IS Scotland's oil. But it is
never too late to learn.
"Delegates, our
natural resources give us riches that many would envy. The only
question we have to answer - we in each generation who inherit this
land - is how we use those natural resources for the benefit not
just of ourselves, but of those who come after us.
"This generation has
that question to answer now. Will we use our oil riches wisely? Will
we invest in a better future for our country? Or will we let that
great advantage be poured away again?
"I think, deep down,
everyone in Scotland knows what the answer to that question must be.
For 18 long years, we let the Tories squander our oil wealth paying
for unemployment. We are now watching Blair waste it on an illegal
war in Iraq.
"Surely, it is time
for Scotland to say enough is enough. To proclaim loudly and clearly
that it is still Scotland's oil and that we are not prepared to be
cheated out of one more drop. Let us send that message from this
conference today.
"Fellow delegates, we
are a lucky country. We have the prospect of a future , a bright
future , secured by our natural resources and re-enforced by our
natural talents. Not many countries get that chance once, let alone
twice. But we have it on offer at each and every election. All
that is required is a will to choose it.
"Winnie Ewing,
standing in front of that crowd at Hamilton, almost thirty eight
years ago, uttered those immortal words:
'Stop the world,
Scotland wants to get on'.
"Well, the world is
spinning faster than ever. There are challenges aplenty out there
for Scotland to face. But our desire to get on, to join in, to be
part of the world is greater than ever. And the advantages of
getting on, joining in, being part of the world is greater than ever
too.
"We know that we can
only join in if we choose independence. If we choose, as a nation,
a better future. The time is coming round again when that choice can
be made. Our task is to persuade everyone who lives here to choose
the best future for our country. To persuade them to choose
Independence.
"There is no one else
to take on that task. It belongs to the Scotland's Party. Now we
must do it, for Scotland's sake."
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