This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Year Message
30/12/2006
First Minister Jack McConnell has recorded a special webcast from Bute House in Edinburgh to mark the new year.
He said:
"The new year is almost upon us and there is much to look forward to in 2007.
"Next year will be the tenth anniversary since Scotland voted overwhelmingly to create its own parliament and take more control of our own affairs.
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"Devolution has given us the best of both worlds - with a union dividend through membership of the United Kingdom and the added value of using the powers of the Scottish Parliament to make Scotland a better place.
"Ten years on from 1997 we have changed Scotland for the better. 2007 should be a year when we see even greater progress and Scotland's reputation grow as a wonderful country in which to live and work.
"In 2006 we saw our economy continue to grow. We saw great improvements in the health service and in our schools. We go into 2007 will real optimism and a determination to build on these achievements.
"So, as we ready ourselves for the new year, I want to give three firm commitments.
"Firstly, there can be no let up in the pace of reform as we enter the last few months of this parliament. Of course, the election will feature very prominently next year but there is a responsibility upon those of us in government to maintain a focus on what we were elected to do.
"We will keep governing. We are delivering on commitments we made in 2003 to the people of Scotland to make their lives and their country better.
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"And the pace of our programme will not let up until the gavel falls on the final day of this parliament. I want to use every day at our disposal to make Scotland an even better place to live, work and visit.
"There are still important changes we need to see through. We will improve the nutritional standards of the food in our schools. We will end the system that allows prisoners to be automatically released without any conditions being attached. We will change the law to make it fairer for those victims of asbestos related disease and their families. And we will improve opportunities in our schools to even higher levels.
"These are just a few of the things we will do with the powers of the parliament to improve Scotland in the next few months.
"Secondly, we must keep promoting Scotland. In culture, events such as the Highland Year of Culture will add to the annual success our many festivals already enjoy. In business we want Scotland to be the destination of choice in Europe for companies and we want more Scottish companies to expand globally. We have made great strides in recent years in promoting Scotland to the rest of the world and we need to keep up that momentum in 2007.
"And thirdly, I want November 2007 to be when the Commonwealth decides to hold the 2014 Games in the city of Glasgow. We have worked hard to get this bid to the great position it is in today. We have the best facilities, the best plans and the best track record for sporting events. But I will not rest in 2007 until we secure what would be a fantastic opportunity for our largest city in 2014. I appreciate all the support the bid has secured across Scotland. If we stick together in 2007 we can win.
"These are just some of the challenges for the new year. You will have your own personal challenges too. Whatever they are I wish you and your family, whatever your connection to Scotland, a very happy 2007."
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