First Minister's New Year Message
First Minister's New Year Message
2003 will be a year of challenges - and a year of
change.
Next year, like this one, Scottish people will work hard
to improve their own lives. Across the country, we will
work hard to look after our families, to do our jobs well
and to build our futures.
I am proud to be a Scot because of who we are, what we
do - and most important of all - what Scotland is capable
of today.
For centuries our country has produced men and women who
have made great achievements - and some of those
achievements have altered the course of history and
improved the lives of people many miles away.
But there are still challenges for us today. Children
still suffering neglect and abuse. People frightened in
their own homes or their own communities. Young people
tempted by drug dealers to throw their futures away.
The difficult challenges many of you deal with every
day, because of the colour of your skin or the religion you
practice.
And the challenge to each of us to take responsibility
for our own health, to take some exercise and eat more of
the foods that will protect us from ill health in years to
come.
My job, the job of government is to understand those
challenges and face them with you.
In Scotland we can do that by working together.
Every day, in our business world, in our universities
and in public service, men and women are achieving great
things - large and small.
I believe that Scotland's Government - your government -
must celebrate their efforts, promote their success and not
talk Scotland down.
From the carer working with the elderly in the street
next to you, to the scientist working to find the cure to
illness - I want us to recognise their greatness and
support their hard work.
We can all do more to highlight success and keep failure
and disappointment in perspective.
I am determined that this government will not only keep
alive Scotland's success, but we will shout long and loud
at home and abroad about Scottish achievements.
From Scottish scientists in Dundee undertaking cutting
edge research into treating cancer to the medal-winning
performances of Scottish athletes at the Winter Olympics
and the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
From our authors, artists and musicians to those
business leaders who drive growth in our economy.
And you have my promise that I will not talk Scotland
down because I want all of us to celebrate Scotland's
successes.
The Scottish Parliament exists to make a difference, and
we have made a start.
We have put down the foundations in support for working
families, guaranteed nursery education for all 3 and 4 year
olds, delivered free personal care for elderly Scots,
created more warm and dry homes than ever before.
We have laid the building blocks for a growing economy
by investing in the skills of people the length and breadth
of this country.
But we have more to do.
For all of us, New Year is a time to look forward. I
look forward to working with you to build a better
Scotland. A Scotland of growth and opportunity for all.
In looking forward to 2003, I wish you and your families
a healthy and prosperous New Year.
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