It has been an unexpected week in Scottish politics.
Nicola Sturgeon has been at the forefront of public life in Scotland for more than 20 years. Despite our profound disagreements, that is an incredible achievement.
In fact, the first time that we met was when she was standing against my Dad and I was just 12 years old. Although I’m not sure she’ll appreciate that reminder, it is testament to the service that she has given Scotland.
No politician can deny her electoral success, but she leaves behind a country more divided than she found it. After 15 years of a Scottish nationalist government, there is not a single institution that is stronger.
Every single one is weaker. Our NHS is in need of life support.
Pupils, parents and teachers struggle to get and deliver a world-class education, and the entrenched inequalities that saw the poorest do worse at school remain.
Homelessness on our streets is on the rise, and devastating council cuts mean that the frontline services that don’t disappear will be cut to the bone.
Enough is enough. So I want to make a direct appeal to people who have voted SNP in the past.
Some of you may once have been Labour voters, or you might never have thought about voting for my party. But one of the things I believe is that we share is a belief that Scotland’s best days lie ahead of it.
That together we could change Scotland and make it the best place to grow up and grow old in. And the first step to that is booting the Tories out of Downing Street at a general election.
It is far from the only one – we need a government at Holyrood with energy and hope for the future. But hope for a better future has long been absent from our opponents.
The current approach of the SNP, if anyone dares point out the challenges in our country, is to say… “Well at least it’s not as bad as… somewhere else.”
You don’t hear doctors saying, “Sorry for that 12-hour wait in excruciating pain, but just be thankful that you weren’t in Humberside.”
That is doing such a disservice to the people of Scotland. Because the truth is the SNP has nothing left to offer – and those in line to succeed Nicola Sturgeon lack the ability needed to turn our country around.
Instead, we will now be treated to the spectacle of SNP politicians arguing with themselves about themselves when Scotland needs action. It is just the latest example of the arrogance at the heart of a government which cannot be honest and own up to its failings.
A government which says it takes responsibility for everything, but is accountable for nothing. A party that is not on the side of the people, and is not working to deliver on your priorities.
“There was a scenario of tweets just before the trial started and the jury was empanelled. At that time there was a tsunami of tweets.”
Because we need to be honest, none of the current runners and riders, stood shovel in hand at the bottom of a deep hole, have what is needed to get us all out of this mess.
The choice that will be forced on Scotland is an awful one. Who will be our next First Minister? The Health Secretary who has patronised nurses?
The Culture Secretary who jets around the world while theatres and arts venues across Scotland close?
The Finance Secretary who can’t deliver a public sector pay policy? The Justice Secretary who won’t give police officers the equipment they need?
Scotland deserves so much better than this. This is my promise to you – that the Labour party I lead will always be on your side.
Because this isn’t as good as it gets. It’s not enough to tell people that the Tories and the SNP deserve to lose.
It is my job to convince you that Scottish Labour deserves to win and that my party will deliver for you and your family.
I have never been as confident as I am today that change is possible. That a Labour government is possible and ready to reduce energy bills, eliminate poverty and tackle the climate emergency.
To rebuild our high streets and grow the economy, and deliver workers rights. To deliver on the dream of home ownership and provide better public services.
Because these are the changes that Scotland needs – changes to bring power closer to people. At the next general election there will be a clear choice.
It’s a choice between a Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, or another five years of Tory incompetence.
The Conservatives have nothing to offer our country. They have wrecked the country and crashed the economy.
The SNP lack the energy and vision to stand up for Scotland – and they can’t get the Tories out of office.
Only Labour can deliver the change that Scotland needs.
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