Election matters

WHAT I’ve heard loud and clear from the hundreds of voters I’ve spoken to since the campaign began is the urgent need for cost of living support here and now. Many households heating oil bills have more than double in recent weeks, and it’s not acceptable for the UK Government to offer such a paltry amount of support leaving it once again up to the Scottish Government to put the money up to double the funding. And it’s unreasonable to still have an energy market that uses gas to determine the price of our electricity – when Scotland produces far more from renewables than we consume. There’s also a growing recognition that our energy system needs to better reflect Scotland’s strengths. With the vast renewable resources we produce, there is a real opportunity to shape a fairer system—one that delivers more stable and affordable energy for households. Here in Scotland, there are already measures making a real difference. Free school meals in primary schools, free prescriptions, the Baby Box, free bus travel, eye tests, and the Scottish Child Payment are helping households across our communities, putting more money back into people’s pockets and offering vital support where it’s needed most. At the same time, there’s a clear sense that more can be done to unlock Scotland’s full potential. With the right decisions and a focus on fairness, we can build an economy that works better for everyone and tackles challenges like fuel poverty head-on. I’ve never believed in offering easy or glib answers to the big issues we face. Meaningful change takes time, effort, and honesty about the scale of the challenge. But it also brings opportunity. Because if we get this right, we can create a future where people feel secure, supported, and optimistic. Where every community flourishes.