Nicol Stephen MSP - Leader's speech to Scottish Liberal Democrats

12.55.48pm GMT Wed 21st Feb 2007

It's great to be back in Aviemore when it's at its busiest and its best.

That's what the Liberal Democrats have to be, over the next few weeks - or more precisely the next 75 days.

Our bravest, our boldest and our best.

It's easy to feel upbeat here in Aviemore, because we are in Liberal Democrat territory.

And the same was true when we last gathered in the autumn in a place called Dunfermline.

Some of you may have heard, Dunfermline is now Liberal Democrat too.

So we are winning, and we are growing, in new parts of Scotland.

Jo Swinson, the UK's youngest MP, in East Dunbartonshire.

Danny Alexander here in Aviemore.

And Willie Rennie, the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife.

But in the future there will be one big difference - and we plan to deliver that difference on the 3rd of May.

And that is, with our candidates: Cathy Macinnes - and Craig Harrow - and Jim Tolson, we are determined to win these three seats not only at Westminster, but in the Scottish Parliament too.

That is our challenge and that is our determination. And to win more - in Edinburgh Central, in Aberdeen Central, Greenock and Inverclyde, Edinburgh North and Leith, Rutherglen, East Lothian;

with Siobhan Mathers, John Stewart, Ross Finnie, Mike Crockart, Robert Brown and Judy Hayman.

And they will be joined by more and more Liberal Democrat MSPs from the party vote across Scotland. Because our vote is up, our strength is up and we are winning more and more support in new parts of Scotland.

This conference, today, this moment, marks the start of our election campaign.

And my message, my mission is simple. The Liberal Democrats are set to take the next major step forward.

We have a fantastic opportunity to show we have the passion and the vision, the attitude and ambition, the energy and excitement to lead Scotland.

Our success owes a great deal to all of you in the hall today.

Success in councils

Success in Europe

Success in Westminster

And success in the Scottish Parliament.

The Liberal Democrats plan to win right across Scotland on the 3rd of May and to become the largest party in the Scottish Parliament.

More MSPs. And, with fair votes for local elections, more councillors too, building on the great work they do in communities across Scotland and especially where we run councils.

And when we do that we will have many to thank. People like Cllr Audrey Findlay and Cllr Jim Mitchell, standing down after years of dedicated service.

People like Donald Gorrie first elected over 35 years ago. He served this party as its chief executive and at every level in elected office in Scotland with huge dedication through all of that time.

But one person deserves special mention above all others. And I single him out today. He will continue with us in the power of his politics, his persuasion and his personality. But no longer with his presence in our Parliament. He stands down from Parliament this year after serving his constituents in Orkney continuously for the last 24 years. He took the Liberal Democrats into government for the first time in over 50 years. And he above any other will inspire me, inspire us, to take this party to new heights over the next 11 weeks.

For everything you have done, for liberal democracy and for Scotland, Jim Wallace, this party owes you and owes Rosie a huge and whole hearted debt of gratitude.

And Jim I know this to be your view: there will be no greater tribute, as the torch is passed to a new generation, than for the Liberal Democrats to grow in strength and stature.

And on the 3rd of May

In councils and constituencies

In counties and in cities

In credibility and in confidence

For the Liberal Democrats to lead Scotland.

But next comes a warning. The campaign that lies ahead will be tough and testing.

Already we see the negativity and the name calling not only from the SNP but now also from Tony Blair and his increasingly unpopular Labour Party.

The language is brutal, bruising, abrasive.

And this is shaping up to be the most bitter, negative personal campaign we have ever witnessed in Scotland.

Words like "charlatans", "desperate", "ranting", "raving", "deceit", "pathetic" and the promises of a "highly personal attack" do not do much to help people decide, do they?

People in Scotland have had enough of negativity.

They want a party that is positive. A party that is passionate. A party that puts Scotland's future first.

And for a growing number of people - a gathering number of people - and greatest amongst young people and amongst women.

That party is the Liberal Democrats.

That's pretty impressive isn't it?

Best with young people and best with women.

Let me give you one woman's words. She sums up for me the spirit that we will need in the days ahead when the attacks turn on us.

Michelle Obama, the wife of Barack Obama, the Democrat presidential contender, said in Chicago this week. It is a powerful message to the forces of darkness and negativity in Scottish politics too. She said:

"Don't be fooled by people who claim it is not our time. We've heard this spewed from the lips of rivals every phase of our journey.

He is not experienced enough, he should wait his turn,

he is too young,

he is not black enough, he is not white enough,

he is too articulate."

That message applies not just in Chicago or the United States. It sums up our spirit and the powerful reasons for supporting the Liberal Democrats in this campaign.

People - especially young people and women - are fed up with the old style politics of the old style parties.

And increasingly as traditional voting patterns break down and people turn away from class and family loyalties, it is to the Liberal Democrats they are turning.

That is what Dunfermline proved - that was the tectonic shift that Dunfermline delivered.

And here is another example of the old style politics. Last weekend, we were told local Labour Party branches got a command from HQ to avoid all mention of two subjects.

The war and Trident. It's a bit like John Cleese in that episode of Fawlty Towers isn't it. "Don't mention the war - I did but I think I got away with it".

Well they haven't got away with it. Ming Campbell, with his outstanding leadership on this issue has seen to that.

But let me help the Labour party and suggest a list of a few other words and policies best avoided by them.

Let's start with the words Tony Blair and George W Bush and move on to cash for peerages, Guantanamo, John Reid and the Home Office

Dawn raids.

If you say those words, it loses Labour votes.

Have you got that? The war. Trident. Blair. Bush.

The Liberal Democrats will not keep quiet on these issues Labour should not be allowed to duck responsibility. Labour should stand up and be held accountable - not hide in silence. They will be held accountable to the voters of Scotland on the 3rd of May.

You know, one of my great political heroes was Bobby Kennedy. He was angry about war. And we should be angry about war too. He spoke out on the waste of lives and talent. He said: "our brave young men are dying in the swamps of Southeast Asia. Which of them might have written a poem? Which of them might have cured cancer? Which of them might have played in a world series or given us the gift of laughter from the stage or helped build a bridge or a university? Which of them would have taught a child to read? It is our responsibility to let these men live. It is indecent if they die because of the empty vanity of their country."

The place of war may have changed but these words will still strike a chord with people in Scotland.

And the Liberal Democrats are in tune with Scottish people on these big issues.

Against the war in Iraq.

Supporting strong action on climate change.

Demanding urgency in Darfur and in the tragedy of famine war and disease in Africa.

And we share their priorities on the big issues for Scotland.

In this campaign I want to focus on three.

First will be the priority we will give to education and Scotland's young people. The UNICEF report about children in the UK published this week was devastating - and said everything that I and the Liberal Democrats have been saying now for many months.

Long term under investment in the welfare of children was the phrase used by the chairman Professor Jonathan Bradshaw. Britain, he said, was "a picture of neglect". Staggering statistics are peppered throughout the document.

Labour and the SNP continue the same mistake - constantly, consistently, conspicuously negative about young people.

We want to support young people, encourage young people. Young people are the future of this nation the hope of this planet.

We will invest more in education, reducing class sizes and recruiting more teachers and sports coaches. Every pupil will have one hour of physical activity per day and we will invest in new sports, music and drama facilities.

And to show we are serious we will start now.

The Liberal Democrats commit today to building two new 50 metre swimming pools - one in Aberdeen and one in Inverness; and we will ensure the major refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth pool in Edinburgh proceeds without delay.

Big investment in new facilities right across Scotland.

And we give strong and full support to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bid.

We want champions from all across Scotland to be winning medals in those games. Liberal Democrats in government will help them go for gold; and to win.

The second task is to tackle climate change.

I am determined to deliver wave power in Scotland creating millions of pounds of new investment and thousands of jobs. Last year I set up a new fund to support marine energy in Scotland.

I was told we would be lucky to get even one or two applications.

Next week I will be announcing support for the first projects from the marine energy support fund.

Next week I will be announcing nine successful applications, all determined to build a world class wave and tidal industry here in Scotland.

Make no mistake, I want to see Scotland become the renewable energy powerhouse of Europe.

I am determined to deliver more decentralised energy, with microrenewables in every new development. Let's see wind turbines and solar panels and biomass boilers in our homes and our schools and our hospitals.

And I am determined to set a big and deliberately bold target on all of this. By 2050 the Liberal Democrats want all of Scotland's electricity to be generated from renewable sources - 100% clean electricity in the lifetime of our children.

That is the sort of policy to inspire young people in Scotland.

And third we are determined to support a stronger economy - new jobs and new opportunity.

Lower business rates can give Scottish businesses real competitive advantage.

The Liberal Democrats are increasingly supported by business - particularly small and medium sized businesses. We will build our credibility and strength with Scotland's key industries, in energy, in life sciences, in the food industry , tourism and financial services. And with more powers to the Scottish Parliament, we could go further still, doing more to support growth and encourage enterprise.

More powers for the Scottish Parliament - but not separation. That is Liberal Democrat policy. More powers but no separation. That combination is the most popular option in all the opinion polls.

We are not and will never be a party of independence. The Liberal Democrats, more than any other party, are the party of interdependence.

We support devolving and decentralising power to local communities and local people, but in a federal structure where nationalism is less and less relevant. The little Scotlanders are as alien to us as the little Englanders. We believe in breaking down boundaries, not building new barriers.

And it will come as no surprise to remind you of this. In 1997 the Liberal Democrats saw no need for a referendum before establishing a Scottish Parliament which we strongly supported.

So why in 2007 would we support a referendum to establish a separate Scottish state, which we strongly oppose.

The Liberal Democrats will not support any back door route to independence after a Scottish election where the parties that support separation have no majority.

Instead our priority will be getting on with delivering on policies that people and communities care about most. That is what this election should be about: health, education, the economy and young people.

For young people we will take our lead from Bobby Kennedy:

Bobby Kennedy did not demonise and condemn the young. He said:

"the world's hope…is to rely on youth. The cruelties and obstacles of this swiftly changing planet will not yield to obsolete dogmas and outworn slogans. ...It demands the qualities of youth: not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease."

It will be that state of mind, that quality of the imagination, that passion for the future that will drive our ambition for Scotland.

So we have today published proposals for a Future of Scotland Bill.

If I am First Minister after May, a government, for the first time in Scottish history, will bring forward a piece of legislation to guarantee a positive role for young people; to give young people the power and influence to get things done for their own lives and their own communities.

That is where the future of Scotland lies.

But that is just one part of our programme.

Month by month - from Polling Day to Christmas Day - Scottish Liberal Democrats in government in Scotland will take the steps for a bright future for Scotland.

We will bring a pace and a dynamic that will leave the other parties behind and take a great stride forward for Scotland's future.

In May, I will also appoint new ministers. Ministers given tough new roles to deliver our priorities; Crime Reduction, Local Health Care, Carbon Saving and Climate Change, delivery for young people.

In June we will take our Future of Scotland Bill to Parliament. New rights for young people; guaranteed services for young people; new vocational skills. The graduate endowment scrapped.

In July we will publish our Sentencing and Crime Reduction Bill. A tough regime of community sentences that make criminals work to repay their crimes. And knife crime taken more seriously with 7 year sentences put on the statute book.

In August we will publish recruitment and deployment plans to get 1000 extra community police officers, into every local town and community.

In September will publish our spending review. It will focus on government efficiency. It will slim down the quango state, reducing business regulation and cutting the size of government.

A Scottish Energy Bill will set new targets for renewable energy. It will make micro generation of electricity in homes, businesses and communities a reality.

In October we will publish our detailed capital plans for the health service. 100 new community health centres so people can get the care they need locally. Diagnosis and treatment quicker and closer to where you live. And we will start the recruitment of the extra nurses to make it happen.

In November we will announce the change for business rates in Scotland. We will set those rates lower than in England. We will create a competitive advantage for Scotland and show that Scotland has a government that means business.

In December we will announce revised teacher training places to make sure we have the extra teachers and sports coaches we need.

We will head teachers headteachers more power in school to tackle discipline; we will treat abuse of teachers by pupils or parents more seriously; and get head teachers best headteachers to move schools to transform those that perform poorly.

In seven months we will have set the foundation for a bright future for Scotland.

For young people.

For the environment.

For success.

It's a time to get things done in Scotland. And it is the first time the Scottish Liberal Democrats have set out how our bold plans and positive policies will be taken through government month by month by month.

There are lots of parties in this election but only the Scottish Liberal Democrats will get things done in 2007.

In 100 days the SNP won't even have agreed the words for their first referendum.

In 100 days Labour will still be waiting for their orders from the new leader to be sent from London - or Fife.

And the Tories have promised they will not go into government and will not implement any of their policies in the first 100 days - or indeed ever.

That will be the choice.

Parties that let people down; who prefer a bitter battle of words and want to live in the past.

Or the Scottish Liberal Democrats with our eye on the future; to work hard; to listen to people; to listen to young people, to give them hope and courage and opportunity - and to get things done.

That is our challenge for Scotland.

We all have big moments in our lives.

Think back and remember.

Many involve our families, our friends, our children.

Some are about personal achievement, in sport, our work our studies.

But for me and for many of us we have memories of politics and of campaigning.

I remember when I first stood for election and won by 81 votes.

I remember when I became an MP for Kincardine & Deeside - many of you here helped - the intense excitement of a big by-election.

I remember being elected to the first Scottish Parliament in 300 years.

And I remember becoming the leader of this great party.

And then the nerve tingling thrill of Willie Rennie's success in Dunfermline.

But as I stand here today, it is not the past we dwell on, but rather the future.

The future of our great party and the future of Scotland.

For more than anything I am ambitious for our future. And more than memories I have dreams.

Dreams of a bright future, an even brighter future for Scotland.

Dreams of Scotland, the renewables powerhouse of Europe.

Dreams of new opportunity for our young people.

And with these dreams a burning desire and determination to deliver.

The power to dream and the purpose to deliver.

A party that can inspire and involve young people.

Pro enterprise, pro education, pro environment.

A party that can lead Scotland.

So for the Liberal Democrats and for Scotland, the biggest moment, the best moment, the brightest moment has still to come.

That is why the 3rd of May - and each one of the next 75 days - is so important.

And in the end the choice and the chance is not ours - it is for the individual. Each and every person has that choice.

So choose a bright future, a positive future, an even better future for Scotland.

Choose the Liberal Democrats.