Secretary of State's Blog
October
Jim Murphy,
Secretary of State for Scotland
6 Oct 2008
When I was Minister for Europe I had a regular blog. I found it a useful way of letting people know what was going on in Europe, and I got a lot of good feedback. Now I'm Secretary of State for Scotland I'm going to carry on blogging and I look forward to having a dialogue about the really important issues that face our country.
I'm very proud to have been appointed as the Secretary of State. I doubt that I can ever match their legacies, but I am proud to follow in the footsteps of some truly towering political figures. Willie Ross who set up the SDA, Tom Johnston who gave Scotland its hydro-schemes - a key part of our lead in producing renewable energy, Donald Dewar who delivered devolution. The role of Scottish Secretary has changed, but it is still vital. I will be Scotland's man in the Cabinet, representing and defending Scotland's interests at the highest levels.
I will work with anyone who wants to advance our interests. In Europe I worked with centre-right and centre-left governments, with conservative and nationalist. I even enjoyed working with the Communist President of Cyprus. I know from experience the importance of building alliance to achieve real progress. But I will also vigorously oppose ideas and actions that will damage Scotland and her people. I love Scotland. I am passionate about its past and optimistic about its future. No political party has a monopoly on patriotism and I will challenge anyone who says otherwise. We have a great diversity in Scotland but we can all be united by the Saltire.
This morning I was at the first meeting of the Government's new National Economic Committee where the Prime Minister set out the scale of the new challenges we have to face up to as a result of global financial instability. We live in exceptionally integrated world. Demand for oil and food in China leads to rises in prices on forecourts and high streets across our country. Weakness in the US housing market leads to pressure on European - and British - banks. Meeting these challenges will need new measures. The right regulation - including protection for savers. The right investments in skills, science and in infrastructure - areas where I want to work with the Scottish Government. And the right support for small business. If anyone doubts the UK Government's commitment to SMEs - or the strength that comes from being part of the sovereign state which negotiates at an European level - they need only look as far as the Prime Minister's recent visit to Paris where he pushed for the early release of a £12 billion fund to help small businesses deal with the current global financial situation. SMEs are the engine room of the Scottish economy and this is just one area - regardless of the boundaries of reserved and devolved powers - where I am determined to work to create the best chances for Scotland, its employers and its employees.
As Secretary of State I will be relentless in my pursuit in the interests of Scotland. I will be out and about, criss-crossing the country. Travelling from north to south, to cities, towns and villages to meet businesses and voluntary groups, to visit workplaces and factories, to host round-tables and hold debates. I will listen, learn and act. I will passionately put the case for our current constitutional settlement. Ours is a great nation, with a proud history and a great future. I look forward to meeting you and talking to you - and most of all hearing from you. This is the first of what will be a regular blog.