It is good for Conference to be back in Dundee and to be here for my first Scottish conference since being appointed as Secretary of State for Scotland. It was a huge honour to have been asked to serve in the Labour cabinet by Gordon Brown, and a privilege to do so as Scotland’s representative in the Cabinet.

Over the last six months I have made clear my intention to work with anybody who wants to work in the interests of Scotland. In times of unprecedented global economic turbulence, people expect politicians to concentrate on working together with unions, business and other organisations to help people through current difficult circumstances.

That will continue to be my approach. Concentrating on working for the interests of people in Scotland and throughout the UK does not mean that there are not differences between Labour and other political parties.

And it does not mean that Labour will be afraid to stand up for people in Scotland when they are being sold short and let down by the Scottish Government. But that is quite different from the politics of grudge and grievance, distorting issues and facts to foster conflict between different parts of the United Kingdom that some of our opponents appear to revel in.

The Labour government is providing real help for people and businesses now, in Scotland and across the United Kingdom. Labour-led councils in Scotland are helping and supporting their communities, and in the European Parliament, Labour members are working hard with their colleagues from across Europe in the interests of people in Scotland.

Iain Gray and his team in the Scottish Parliament are doing an excellent job in highlighting the shortcomings of the Scottish Government, and proposing better policies, considered answers and principled positions.

This year’s conference is an important opportunity for the Labour Party in Scotland to demonstrate our values, discuss and debate issues and develop our policies. We have significant electoral tests ahead of us over the next three years.

Let’s use the weekend to demonstrate to people in Scotland that we are ready and able to face those challenges, and to do so as the party that represents the interests of the people of Scotland.