As we begin 2023, now is a time for looking ahead and setting new goals, preparing for fresh challenges and facing the future with optimism and hope.
We all start every new year with the hope that it will be better than the last one, and I will be working to make that a reality.
Because as we reflect on the last year, there is no denying that this year has been another difficult one for far too many people.
Around the world, including in Ukraine, people still live with war, persecution and oppression, and we stand in solidarity with them all.
Here in Scotland people have been struggling with rising bills, increased mortgage rates and an NHS in crisis.
But despite the challenges this year has brought, our communities – as always – have come together and done their best to tackle these them head-on.
While these hardships have revealed the weaknesses of our two governments, they have reminded us of the strength of our communities.
There are the hardworking NHS staff going the extra mile for their patients.
There are the volunteers helping our communities through the cost of living crisis.
There are the people who have opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees, offering those fleeing war and oppression a life here in Scotland.
Everywhere you look Scotland is full of compassion, talent, and potential.
I am lucky enough to see this first hand as I meet people and communities across Scotland.
I travelled right round the country over the course of 2022, talking to people, families, charities and businesses. Time and time again I heard the same overriding message: we are desperate for change.
That’s true for communities across the UK.
From Glasgow to Gloucester, Liverpool to Loanhead, and Manchester to Musselburgh people have had enough of the status quo.
Because this isn’t as good as it gets. We can have a fresh start. We can choose to reject the politics of grievance and division.
Change is possible, and our country’s best days definitely lie ahead.
So as we enter 2023, let’s resolve to advocate for the change that this country needs.
Let’s work together and fight for unity rather than division.
We can come together to build a brighter future for everyone.
I am determined that next year can be a better one for all of those struggling – a year filled with empathy, unity and hope.
Let’s deliver the change that we all want to see.
So from our family to yours, I hope the New Year brings you peace, love, health, happiness and success.
This year, let’s not just wish for a better future, let’s work together to build one.
Happy New Year.
SNP must do better on NHS
The crisis in our NHS has hung over the holidays.
The SNP have presided over years of decline in our NHS, but this is on a different scale altogether. The very survival of our NHS is now under threat.
That’s not just my opinion – last week the chair of the BMA warned that "there is no way that the NHS in Scotland can survive" in its current form.
We saw A&E performance sink to its lowest point on record once again, leaving almost 2,000 Scots in a single week languishing in waiting rooms for more than 12 hours.
We learned QEUH management ignored staff’s calls to declare a major incident amid "grave concerns" over patient safety.
Incredible NHS staff are the only thing standing in the way of total chaos. They are exhausted from constantly being forced to go above and beyond to keep patients safe – but in return they are being treated with total contempt by the SNP.
Staff raising the alarm about the state of services are ignored, while nurses’ are being driven to strike as the SNP impose a pay deal on them instead of negotiating fair pay and conditions.
Our NHS deserves better than this.
Skating skills
Got to put my (non existent) ice skating skills to the test this winter! Adventures with the kids are always the best part of the holidays. I hope your Christmas and New Year were filled with as many games nights, movies and chocolate as mine – but not with as many falls on the ice!
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