This year’s election is a defining moment for Scotland. For the first time in nearly two decades, voters have the opportunity to change the government and set the country on a new path. In just four months, the choice will not be about who governs elsewhere, but about who leads Scotland and what direction we take as a nation.

The SNP will try to frame this election as a protest against Westminster or as a constitutional debate. But make no mistake: this election is about Scotland and the issues that matter most to people here at home. 

It is about our schools, hospitals, and care homes. It is about the safety of our communities and the opportunities available to young people and families. It is about whether Scotland can deliver the quality of life its citizens deserve.

After nearly twenty years in power, the SNP’s record speaks for itself. NHS waiting lists have soared, leaving Edinburgh South West patients in pain and uncertainty. Standards in schools have fallen, putting our children’s futures at risk. Scotland faces a housing emergency (because the SNP & Greens cut the budget), and too many communities feel less safe than they did before. We have a CAMHS crisis, and a pothole pandemic. These are not abstract problems, they affect our lives every single day.

Scottish Labour refuses to accept that this is as good as it gets. We believe Scotland’s economy can be stronger, public services can be better, and politics should focus on fixing problems rather than moaning about them and making excuses. 

Competence and change are at the core of what we offer the people of Scotland. That’s why I’m proud to campaign for Scottish Labour candidates Catriona Munro (Edinburgh South Western) and James Dalgleish (Edinburgh Central). Both have the vision and commitment to deliver the strong local representation these communities have been missing for far too long.

In May, voters face a clear choice: a third decade of SNP failure under John Swinney, or new leadership and fresh energy from Scottish Labour under Anas Sarwar. 

Reform UK offers no real solutions for Scotland. It thrives on frustration, divides communities, and ultimately helps the SNP cling to power. Scottish Labour rejects the politics of fear and blame. We believe the way to defeat extremism is by fixing broken services and restoring trust in government.

This election is more than a contest of parties, it is a verdict on twenty years of SNP government. Scotland now has the chance to choose a better future. A future where schools give every child the best start, where hospitals deliver timely care, and where communities feel safe and supported. A future where government works for the people, not for political games.

There are only two options at this election: another decade of SNP stagnation under John Swinney, or real change with Scottish Labour and Anas Sarwar as First Minister.

The choice is clear. Scotland deserves better, and together we can make it happen.