MAREE TODD: Working together can help Caithness and Scotland thrive
Holyrood Notebook by Maree Todd
As they say, a week is a long time in politics. It was very sad to see my friend and colleague, Humza Yousaf, a thoroughly decent and principled man, step down from his role as First Minister.
Despite deeply challenging circumstances, Humza worked tirelessly to deliver a progressive policy agenda, rooted in fairness and equality.
Committed to tackling child poverty, he delivered increased investment in the game-changing Scottish Child Payment. He alleviated the pressure on family finances by introducing a national council tax freeze and oversaw a record number of affordable housing completions.
He was committed to our Highland communities too, demonstrated through the significant progress made on the A9 dualling programme and strategies to counter rural depopulation.
He has been a powerful and compassionate voice on Gaza, speaking out against the killing of innocent men, women and children. His leadership during times of deafening silence from other UK political leaders, whilst dealing with his own exceptionally difficult personal situation, will be remembered.
His departure from government will be felt but I know he will continue to be a champion for the rights of people, both at home and abroad, and a dedicated campaigner for independence from the backbenches.
I had always been supportive of my party’s cooperation agreement with the Greens, but equally, I recognised its eventual conclusion as an inevitability. From the introduction of free bus travel for those under 22 to bringing Scotrail into publish ownership, I am proud not only of what the Bute House Agreement accomplished but of what it symbolised too. Cross-party working should be encouraged and celebrated.
As Humza Yousaf said in his resignation speech: “We have an electoral system that is designed for no political party to have an overall majority. Devolution’s founding fathers and mothers, rightly in their wisdom, believed that no one loses out by politicians sharing wisdom, counsel and ideas.”
This is true. Yet, our political landscape has never felt more divided.
With John Swinney as our new First Minister and fellow Highland MSP, Kate Forbes, serving as his deputy, we have an opportunity for a reset.
In his first speech as First Minister, John Swinney highlighted the policies that resulted from cross-party cooperation and consensus in the Scottish Parliament. The ban on smoking in public places, taken forward by the Labour and Liberal executive, minimum unit pricing by the SNP government and the introduction of free bus travel for the under 22s, all demonstrate what can be achieved when parties come together.
As a minority government, we must work to bridge political and constitutional divides. John Swinney has made it clear that his government will strive to create agreement across the chamber, and I hope opposition parties will show the same willingness to deliver for the people of Scotland.
Now that his cabinet and ministers are appointed, the First Minister will work to deliver on his promises of eradicating child poverty, driving economic growth and tackling the climate emergency.
I am delighted to have been asked to continue to serve as the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing, and Sport in his government. Whilst representing my constituents in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross remains my top priority, I am deeply honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to serve in Scotland’s government again.
• Maree Todd is the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.