KATE FORBES: There is no escaping disappointing General Election result for SNP
Last month’s election result was very disappointing for the Scottish National Party.
There is no escaping that reality.
As a party, and as a movement, we must reflect on the message voters in Scotland sent us on 4th July.
The urgency of getting rid of the out of touch UK Tory Government was pressing to the people of Scotland. That endeavour was of course fruitful, and the Tories have left Downing Street, not a moment too soon.
We all have a responsibility to listen to the electorate and learn from their views. This is especially important for those of us in senior positions within the SNP.
In Government, my colleagues and I around the cabinet table have a duty to regain and re-earn the trust of the Scottish electorate before the 2026 Holyrood election.
We must deliver for the people of Scotland in everything we do.
That means growing the economy, dualling the A9, tackling the cost of living crisis, facing down child poverty, improving our public services and taking bold action on the climate crisis.
As Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, as well as the MSP for Badenoch, I have been getting on with the job of delivering.
Scotland’s economy is performing well thanks to decisions we have made in Holyrood to counter the low growth Brexit-based economic model adopted in recent years by Westminster.
It’s no secret that the relationship between Whitehall and Holyrood was strained under Johnson, Truss and Sunak.
But that doesn’t work in Scotland’s interests and I believe the people of Scotland, especially those in business, want to see more collaboration and joined up working between the UK Government and Scotland’s Government.
I was pleased to see Keir Starmer start the work of repairing the vital relationship between our governments.
This willingness to work collaboratively has been absent for too long in intergovernmental relations, and this change of approach is an opportunity for Scotland.
The coming months and years will tell us whether this opportunity is one that Labour truly wish to grasp with both hands but I earnestly hope we see real change and a marked difference between from what has come before.
The proof as they say is in the pudding.
And be in no doubt, SNP MPs – including Graham Leadbitter – stand ready and willing to hold this UK Labour Government to account if their actions do not match their words.
We’ve seen the importance of this already following Labour’s continued refusal to scrap the two-child benefit cap.
I believe we have a shared desire to unlock more of Scotland’s potential. We know what our businesses and our entrepreneurs are capable of, but we must both play our part if they are to realise their full potential.
The issues we face together as a nation are too serious for political point-scoring between Holyrood and Whitehall. We must deliver for the people of Scotland today, so we can reach our full potential tomorrow.
The message sent to us from the people of Scotland on July 4 is that they expect more from the Scottish National Party. The task is clear, now we must deliver.
Rest assured the Scottish Government will be focused on delivering for you, the people of Scotland, whatever it takes.
Kate Forbes is Deputy First Minister and MSP for Badenoch.
