On Thursday 4 July Scotland voted for change, and for politicians and government to return to the service of working people.
While Scottish Labour ultimately won the election in Scotland with a majority of seats, we do not claim a majority on wisdom. We know that for too long now, Scots have been fed up of our two governments spending more time fighting each other rather than fighting for them.
I want to reset our relationship with the Scottish Government. I want to turn disagreement into co-operation. I want the Scottish Government to have a seat at the table, to work with us to deliver generational change.
That’s why the Prime Minister fulfilled his election promise to make it an immediate priority to travel to Scotland to meet the First Minister, John Swinney, to reset that relationship. I joined this meeting alongside the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
Around the table there are clearly political differences, but there are also areas where we can work together to improve the lives of the people of Scotland. It is those issues want - need - to focus on. There is genuine will to do things differently.
The first of these is Grangemouth, and I was delighted that we were able to announce on Friday that the UK Government is investing to help ensure the long term future of the site as part of our transition to clean energy. This is a great example of what can be achieved when we reset relationships and work productively with partners to drive economic growth and make life better for people in Scotland.
Economic growth and job creation are top of this government’s agenda. That’s why my first official meeting in Dover House was with the Scottish Whisky Association. Scotland’s national drink is one of our greatest national exports and it can be the key to unlocking markets for other Scottish products and services on a global scale - which in turn will create jobs and investment here in Scotland.
That is part of our Brand Scotland agenda, to sell our brilliant country and first-class services and products to the world.
Likewise, my first official engagement at Queen Elizabeth House, the Scotland Office HQ next to Waverly Station in Edinburgh, was to host a business roundtable with organisations like the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Institute of Directors, Scottish Financial Enterprise, Prosper, CBI Scotland the Federation of Small Businesses.
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In my view, Scotland’s economic potential is limitless. From our food and drink to science and innovation, to tourism and hospitality, to services and energy - we can lead the world in so many areas, which in turn will create good jobs and grow our economy.
And on energy, one of the flagship missions from this new Labour government is GB Energy, a publicly-owned energy generation company which will ensure our energy security, create tens of thousands of jobs and bring down bills for good.
This won’t just benefit Scotland – it will be headquartered in Scotland. The UK is about to lead the way in a just transition to clean energy, in a fashion that will cut bills and create good, decent work. And Scotland will be at the heart of it.
That’s why I was so pleased to see Michael Shanks MP appointed Energy Minister this week. From his seismic win in the Rutherglen by-election, to being at the heart of a new government in a brief absolutely essential to Scotland’s future in less than a year, Michael’s own journey is proof that change can happen, and can happen quickly. We can expect more news on GB Energy in the coming days.
I was delighted to welcome new Midlothian Labour MP Kirsty McNeill as the Scotland Office minister this week.
We spent Friday visiting charities that have helping people living with the impact of 14 years of economic chaos from the previous Conservative government. I was very pleased to meet the teams at the Cottage Family Centre and the Kirkcaldy Food Bank, who are giving families access to basic essentials which have become unaffordable as a result of the cost of living crisis.
It was a reminder of the purpose behind our mission to ensure economic stability, drive growth and create good jobs – because the levels of poverty we are seeing in Scotland are simply unacceptable.
We need to set the foundations to ensure people have a decent standard of living and have the security and opportunity for a fair go in life.
We want change for all four corners of the UK, and for all four corners of Scotland.
Resetting relationships to deliver for the Scottish people isn’t just about Holyrood and Westminster, it’s about all of our communities across Scotland.
This week I also spoke to the leaders of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Highland councils, and plan to speak to other council leaders in the coming weeks.
That’s the change Scotland needs, and the change I am ready to work tirelessly to help deliver.
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