Nigel Farage hates the very idea of Scotland having its own Parliament
And since their election last year, Keir Starmer's Labour Government have made it worse – cutting the winter fuel payment, presiding over higher energy bills and cutting support to disabled people.
People trusted Labour to sort out the mess the Tories left behind and they have been badly let down. That has opened the door for Nigel Farage to step in and try and portray himself as the defender of ordinary people.
But let's be clear – Nigel Farage does not care about ordinary people. He does not care about you, or your family or your community.
Nigel Farage is a multimillionaire and only cares about himself and making his rich pals even richer. And he is trying to exploit people's anger to get them to vote against their own interests.
We all know that Farage wants to turn people against each other. But let's look at what else he actually believes.
He would like to see Scotland's budget cut – complaining that too much money is 'going over Hadrian's wall' to pay for free tuition and free prescriptions.
He hates the very idea of Scotland having its own Parliament. He votes against basic tenets of workers rights – including things we all take for granted, like sick pay.
And he wants to charge you for using the NHS by moving to an 'insurance-based system' just like America.
That is not the record of a man of the people – that is the record of a conman. He is after all responsible for Brexit which has made everyone poorer.
This week, people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse will be voting in a by-election. And because there are votes up for grabs, Farage has decided to make a daytrip to Scotland today.
Labour have now given up on defending their own record, their campaign has collapsed and they can't win. So it's a two-horse race between the SNP and Farage's candidate.
Only the SNP are standing up to Farage in this by-election. And only the SNP is strong enough to face him down. I am confident that people in Scotland know a conman when they see one – and that they will see through Farage's day trip today.
And on Thursday, I am asking people to unite behind the SNP to send him packing.
My inspirational wife is the reason I can do my job
Last Friday we marked World MS Day – a chance for us to show our support for people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
One of those people is my wonderful wife, Elizabeth. She has never been someone who is willing to let her condition stop her from living life to the full – but it does make life harder and there are times we just cannot do things that other people take for granted.
As First Minister, I spend a lot of time travelling the country so I have not been able to be at home as much as I would like – or perhaps as much as Elizabeth needs.
With the help of friends and family – but mostly due to Elizabeth's strength and our son Matthew's helpfulness - we manage to make it work.
But it is undeniable that without Elizabeth's sacrifice and support, I would not be able to do the job of serving the country I love.
Every day she is an inspiration to me, and both Matthew and I are so grateful for the courage she shows every day.
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