AS we see out the old and ring in the new, the turn of the year is a good time to reflect on where we are as a nation - and rededicate ourselves to where we want to get to.
The year to come will mark the 10th anniversary of the 2014 referendum, and if the last decade has taught us anything it has been a hard lesson on the costs to Scotland of not being an independent country.
We have year-on-year Westminster austerity, which is getting worse. Within a system that is even imposing real terms cuts to NHS England, we are now at the very margins of being able to protect public services and prosperity in Scotland with devolution.
There is the ongoing damage of Brexit, which is causing permanent harm to the Scottish and UK economy - destroying billions of pounds of revenues that would have been available to invest in health and education.
In the Middle East, in the face of unimaginable death and horror in Gaza and Israel, there has been the shameful spectacle of the UK failing to back calls - and even votes in the United Nations - for an immediate ceasefire.
Compared to the political culture at Westminster, we have very different values in Scotland that are widely-shared, and which we must continue to articulate loudly and clearly in 2024.
We are being held back by a Tory government that doesn't care about Scotland, and a Labour opposition that on all the big questions doesn't dare to set out a materially different approach: on spending, Brexit, Gaza; even watering down its position on climate change.
2024 is going to be a general election year, and my message to independence supporters is vote for what you believe in.
When the SNP is winning, Scotland wins.
The Yes movement can only be strong when the SNP is successful.
So if you want Scotland's voice to be heard louder than ever.
If you want to ensure that Scotland progresses on our journey to independence.
If you want to support the values and policies that underpin the Scottish Government's social contract with all the people - and an approach to international relations based on justice and humanity.
Then the SNP will provide the leadership in 2024 - through the general election and beyond - that enables you to do so. That is my New Year pledge.
