"Strong communities are the basic building blocks of a better society. Those like Mark - the individuals, campaigners, volunteers, local organisations, businesses and social entrepreneurs who work to build a positive future for us all - are the backbone of our communities. The job of government must be to support and work with them as they improve our society. "Scottish Labour will be on the side of Scotland’s communities. We will develop opportunities for investment in the voluntary sector, support communities to take ownership of properties in their area, appoint a Disabilities Champion and ensure that our plans...

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"We often hear that the UK faces one of the worst economic challenges since the Second World War. Yet, we must remember that Labour seized on the opportunity of 1945 to create work for hundreds of thousands, not throw our workers on the dole. There is an important lesson to be learnt from this example. In every crisis, there is an opportunity to rebuild and a new hope for the future. "I promise that a Scottish Labour government will not stand back as the Tories repeat the mistakes of the 1980s. Even from opposition and in tough economic times,...

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"Education changes lives and changes the world. It is the tool by which our children can live lives that their grandparents couldn’t even dream of. "Scotland’s greatest asset is the untapped potential of our people. It is the key to our economic future. For Scotland to prosper in tough times, our future workers must be the best educated and trained in the world and investing today in skills, learning and knowledge will be the foundation on which we build a stronger tomorrow. The future of Scotland lies in the hands of our young people and so Scottish Labour...

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"The NHS is the embodiment of Scottish Labour’s values of fairness. We are committed to a patient-centred NHS, where the weakest and most vulnerable people can find care and compassion and where treatment is provided on the basis of need, not the ability to pay. "In uncertain times, ordinary people want to know that this principle will prevail, that their healthcare will be protected and that they will continue to have access to first-class services. Scottish Labour will always stand up for the NHS. "Seeing working people struggle to balance their job with caring for an elderly or...

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"Climate change is one of the single biggest long-term threats to the prosperity and wellbeing of our people. We know now, more than ever, that if our economy is to stand up to the challenges to come, it must be sustainable and responsive to our natural environment. As Scottish Labour works to rebuild Scotland’s economy, we realise there is an unprecedented opportunity to ensure that the starting principles of our economic future are cleaner and greener than the foundations of the past. "The drive to build prosperity should not jeopardise Scotland’s natural resource base for future generations. But...

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"From Burns in the 18th century, to T in the Park today, Scotland’s cultural life is world-renowned. The talent of Scottish artists continues to shape the world around us But it is perhaps the most difficult period in our recent history to argue the case for investment in art and culture. But Labour believes that culture matters. "Scottish Labour believes that we need strong leadership in this area more than ever as we pass through the difficult times. Not only has the accessibility of arts, music and culture defined our nation’s heritage and culture, it has enhanced the...

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"We believe that governments should be on the side of those who work hard, who do the right thing and try to get on in life. We believe that every woman and man in Scotland has a right to walk our streets in safety; that every young person has a right to live without fear of knife crime; that every family has a right to live free from intimidation in their own home; and that every community has the right to be supported in getting vandals, drug dealers and thugs off their streets. "We can be immensely proud...

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