Scotland needs to rediscover 'optimism and hope' after decades of Westminster misrule
I know that things feel tough at the minute. The cost of living is still a massive problem for people – energy bills are still too high, the cost of getting the messages is still going up and people's mortgage costs have gone through the roof in the last few years.
It is really easy to be downhearted. And at times like this, people want to see a vision of how things are going to get better.
That's not on offer from the UK Government. One of the first things Keir Starmer did when he became Prime Minister was to tell us all that things were only going to get worse.
And he has followed through on that promise – putting a tax on jobs, planning cuts to support for disabled people and pushing thousands more children into poverty.
But as First Minister, I do not think Scotland can afford to fall into accepting the doom and gloom of the status quo. I want us to rediscover our spirit of optimism and hope.
That starts by recognising that things do not have to be the way they are now. The UK's decline has been because of political decisions foisted upon us – mainly austerity after the 2008 financial crash, and the economic disaster of Brexit.
So if political decisions got us here, political decisions can get us out. Over the course of this week, I will be setting out my vision for Scotland 's future.
Today, I will be focusing on how we can improve public services like our NHS – including how we can use new technologies to make these services work better for you.
And tomorrow, I will be asking what we want our country to look like in 2050 with an optimistic vision of what Scotland can achieve as an independent country.
In 2050, I do not want us to be looking back on how we had to pick up the pieces of another 25 years of Westminster mismanagement.
I want us to be confidently looking forward as an independent country – where we make sure that our economy works for everyone, and that child poverty is a thing of the past.
Both Labour and Tory Westminster governments have shown they will never be able to deliver that for us – even if they wanted to.
A better future is possible for Scotland. And I think we should have the confidence to grasp it.
MIDDLE EAST HORROR
I have watched in horror as events in the Middle East have escalated. What was already an appalling spectacle of death and suffering is growing even more dangerous.
I have been clear that Israel's actions in Gaza have been completely unacceptable – and their attack on Iran threatens a wider escalation.
The Netanyahu government is completely out of control and is putting its own people and those across the region at risk. The international community needs to bring Israel to account for its actions.
Last Friday, I held talks with the Irish Taoiseach on the situation. Ireland has led the world in demanding peace and justice in the Middle East since the beginning of this conflict.
When looking at the strong, principled stand that a small nation like Ireland has been able to take, the UK Government should feel ashamed at their silence and complete lack of leadership.
Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live in peace – and the international community needs to make clear to Netanyahu that it will not tolerate his actions.
It is time for the UK Government to put serious pressure on Israel to pull them back from the brink – and work towards a two-state solution as part of a lasting peace.
HOUSING
That's why I asked my fantastic colleague Mairi McAllan to lead the government's work and I am delighted she has accepted. Mairi knows the challenges people are facing and I am confident she will deliver.
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