Five priorities for Yousaf as he addresses SNP conference

Speaking ahead of Humza Yousaf's speech to SNP conference in Aberdeen, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has called on the First Minister to commit to a series of key policies when he addresses party members.

In his conference speech, Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling on Mr Yousaf to commit to:  

• Launching an emergency nationwide insulation programme to bring down bills, create jobs and put a stop to Scotland missing its climate targets.    
• Driving down long waits for NHS treatment by expanding training places, conducting a proper review of pay and conditions, tackling burnout and establishing a staff assembly to prioritise the knowledge and expertise of those who know the service best.  
• Compensating islanders for the mayhem of ferry disruption, investing in Scotland’s ferry network and putting together a long-term strategy for replacing boats which have been in use for decades  
• Extending support to Scotland’s Long Covid sufferers by establishing nationwide clinics and care pathways for those robbed of so much by this terrible condition.  
• Setting legally binding targets to reduce sewage dumping and accelerating measures to upgrade Scotland’s Victorian sewage system.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:  

“The SNP are meeting more in disarray than in celebration. This is a party that has let division and toxicity trash our politics, and people are now tired.    

“Whether it’s the cost of living or the NHS crisis, the SNP government stall on solutions and rush at every chance to point the finger at the Westminster bogeyman they love to hate.  

“They can’t accept a shred of responsibility for a ferries scandal that has cut deep into the heart of island communities. They lag miles behind England and Wales when it comes to supporting those debilitated by Long Covid. Their own water company is letting sewage free flow into our rivers every day.    

“The measures my party and I are outlining today would bring new hope to Scotland and make a tangible difference for people across the country.

“In his conference speech, Humza Yousaf has another chance to hit the reset button- I just hope he doesn’t waste it this time.”