Health and Transport Improving

Scotland has once again avoided NHS strikes, and that didn’t happen by accident. By using our devolved powers properly, the Scottish Government negotiated in good faith with resident doctors and avoided the disruption seen elsewhere in the UK. That’s what responsible leadership looks like.

We’re also seeing practical improvements in frontline care. The First Minister has opened Scotland’s first GP walk-in service in Edinburgh to end the dreaded 8am scramble for appointments. Fourteen more are planned.

SNP Candidate Martyn Day said: “I want to see our area benefit from this approach too, and I’ll be campaigning to ensure local people get access to a walk-in service that actually works around their lives.”

It’s not just health. Publicly owned ScotRail is recording high passenger satisfaction and strong numbers. After scrapping peak fares, fares are now frozen, giving real help with the cost of living. But here’s the problem: every year Scotland pays around £1.38 billion to Network Rail to use our own tracks and stations. Hundreds of millions go in track access charges – effectively rent to Westminster. Imagine what we could do if that money was fully under Scotland’s control.

The same story applies to energy. Scotland generates more than we use, yet under the GB market we face some of the highest standing charges in Europe. We subsidise shortages elsewhere while families here pay more before they even switch the kettle on. We’re told meaningful bill reductions won’t come until the 2030s. That’s not good enough.

Meanwhile, Westminster drifts from crisis to crisis, with judgement repeatedly called into question and instability growing. And if Farage and his allies ever take power, things will deteriorate further.

Scotland is showing that with the right leadership, we can make different choices. Independence isn’t a slogan – it’s about having the full powers to build a fairer, more prosperous country.