As this wonderful summer draws to a close, families across Stirling are settling back into routines, with many pupils returning to school and others beginning college or university. To every young person who has just received exam results, remember that grades, good or bad, do not define your future. Scotland offers many routes to success, including apprenticeships, vocational training and further education, and so there are always opportunities to move forward. Despite what you may read in the press, more young people in Scotland go on to work or study than in any other part of the UK, and the numbers are rising. Education is not just about passing exams; it is about developing the skills and qualities Scotland needs to build a compassionate, dynamic and fairer society.
The SNP Government has long worked to ensure every child can thrive, regardless of background. Initiatives such as free school meals and financial help for school uniforms ease the burden on families and ensure no child is held back because of circumstance. With the never-ending cost of living crisis, this support is not a luxury but a lifeline. Yet these gains would be under real threat if Labour, the Tories, the Liberal Democrats and Reform were to keep the SNP out of government in next year’s election. They have made it clear that they would dismantle SNP policies that are unique to Scotland and which support people throughout their lives, from baby boxes to free tuition to free personal care. Strip these away, and it is not just benefits that are lost, but the values of fairness and equality that have long made me proud to be Scottish.
The language of politicians, particularly in Labour, once a party that claimed to stand for equality, is fuelling the rise of the far right. Across much of the UK, people have no jobs, no prospects, and public services are at breaking point after years of failed Westminster policies. Yet rather than challenge the wealthy or close tax loopholes, Labour has joined the Tories and Reform in blaming immigrants, disabled people and the poor for declining living standards. It is the oldest trick in the book: divide communities and protect the powerful. The truth is that Scotland’s wealth is being channelled into fewer and fewer hands. Labour, Reform and the Tories are all controlled by millionaires, and they govern in their interests. This toxic politics has real consequences: fascists now openly target asylum seekers, as seen at the protests outside the hotel in Falkirk and in communities across the UK. Meanwhile, the online world has become a cesspit where racist abuse and incitement to violence are excused, even celebrated, under the guise of free speech. I long ago gave up on Twitter as a result.
As I enter my final year as an MSP, I will continue to do everything I can to make a difference and improve services for local people. Parliament returns next week, and there will be no shortage of challenges. I will be working on national debates, including the new Education Bill, support for children in care, building safety laws, and the discussion on assisted dying. Parliament will also consider measures such as the Ecocide Bill and the Community Wealth Building Bill. These decisions will affect families in Stirling and across Scotland. One local issue I am determined to address is road safety at Blair Drummond Safari Park. I will keep pressing Stirling Council, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government for meaningful action. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, but it also requires authorities to act where dangers are already well known.
My team and I will continue working every day on the issues that matter most to people in Stirling, and I thank all of you who continue to shape the work we do. I will ensure Stirling’s voice is heard and that progress is delivered on the priorities you have told me matter most.
