The P&J comprehensive analysis of the SNP’s record is a great service to the public. The verdict on the last five years is damning.
On justice, we have seen court closures, police stations shut their doors to the public, and the scandal and controversy over the tragic M9 crash.
On climate change, we have some of the toughest climate change targets in the world but they have been missed every year for the past four years.
And in education, the number of college places has been cut and school budgets hammered by the SNP. International organisations say that we used to have one of the best education systems in the world. Now we are only average. That is not good enough for me. It should not be good enough for anyone.
We need to be the best again.
The P&J’s devastating C grade for the SNP is a poor return on what voters were promised.
For the last five years, Scotland has had a government obsessed with the constitution at the expense of everything else. Now we need the next five years for schools, for our NHS and public services.
Liberal Democrats have a bold, positive offer that will help Scotland be the best again.
Our plan for a penny on income tax for education, would mean half a billion pounds for a transformation in early education and childcare, schools and colleges.
We will take mental health seriously. There are not enough specialist beds for children struggling with mental ill health. They have to wait months for treatment. Lib Dems will double funding so that young people get the help they need.
On the environment, we will boost green travel, support renewables, create warm homes and start meeting Scotland’s carbon emissions targets.
This is the sort of action we need to deliver the A grade that Scotland deserves.