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Saturday 17th October 2009 | 15:46
Alex Salmond's speech to SNP conference
Friends - Last year our conference met in the aftermath of John Mason’s victory in the Glasgow East by election.
"And in a few short weeks, Glasgow can be represented by another SNP MP, with David Kerr standing for the people of Glasgow North East – a constituency held by Labour for 74 years.
"74 years and there are 59 parliamentary seats in Scotland and Glasgow North East, despite its exceptional people, comes 59th on every measurement of unemployment and social deprivation.
"74 years of Labour control and Glasgow North East is 59th out of 59.
"Has there ever been any election anywhere where the clarion call of time for a change has had a more decisive meaning.
"And it is change that only the SNP have what it takes to deliver – in Glasgow and across Scotland
"Delegates, some of you may have read of my own plans for change.
"Change to a new job.
"If you listen to the Labour Party, I want to be the next Secretary General of the United Nations.
"All right no-body listens to Labour any more.
"Well, they got it half right – which is better than usual.
"I do want a new job.
"I want to be First Minister of an Independent Scotland.
"Week in, week out, in my present job I have to listen to the Labour Party.
"Week in week out they argue for more public spending in Scotland -just as their Chancellor cuts it from London!
"Labour in the Scottish Parliament are less of an opposition, more of a comedy routine.
"But would I change them? No I like them just the way they are!
"Delegates, just over two years ago we became the Government of Scotland.
"That happened because we offered our vision of a more successful country. We said to the people of our nation that there should be no limits on Scotland's achievement, on Scottish success.
"And the people responded and trusted us to form the first ever Government dedicated only and solely to furthering the Scottish interest.
"It was the first time in more than half a century that Labour lost the popular vote in Scotland. They thought it was a fluke, an accident. A 50 year storm.
"They thought normal service would be resumed at the first opportunity.
"Well they were wrong.
"It happened again this year when we hammered Labour in the European elections.
"Delegates since 2007 the world has tilted on its financial axis but we can win again by offering the same contract to the people in communities across our nation.
"A contract based on our social democratic values – wealth created and wealth shared.
"The creation of wealth is important when times are good. It is imperative when times are tough.
"The sharing of wealth is important when times are good. It is a moral imperative when time are tough.
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