YOU'VE never had it so good. Unemployment is on the way out, our hospitals are getting record levels of investment and so are our schools.
This Government cares about the same things as you, and Labour is delivering. Believe that? Didn't think so, but that's what I hear every day from Labour.
No wonder the Women's Institute handbagged Tony Blair last week.
Labour romped home in 1997, promising action on education, health and jobs.
led flexible stripsSo what is the truth? We spend less per pupil than almost every other country in Europe. Health? Yes Labour are spending more, but they have to do that just to stand still.
European countries allocate an average of pounds 9 in every pounds 100 of wealth created to health - in Scotland it is only pounds 7. To bridge that gap would take an extra pounds 1500million in one year alone.
Jobs? Labour brag about how unemployment is lower than ever. The fact is that unemployment in Scotland is higher than Ireland, Finland, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway and Austria. We already know our school buildings are a national disgrace. Hundreds of millions are needed to repair them.
London parties tell us our schools get more money than England, but we must stop comparing ourselves with England and look to other European countries.
The sad fact is that as a society, we are putting less into education than most comparable countries across Europe.
Look at the chart, we're slightly above England, but the gap's closing.
We're near the bottom of the league for the amount we are spending per pupil.
Yes, Scotland spends a small amount more of our national wealth on health than England. We pay more in tax too.
If you want Scotland to have the power to reverse these appalling trends on health, education and jobs, then vote for more power for Scotland.
You can't get away with voting for London parties, voting for phoney tax cuts, believing false promises and then moaning about the state of the schools.
It's your choice, it's your country. What are you willing to do about it? Slow hand-clapping is one thing. Voting with ambition for something different is quite another.
Can we manage new gesture for the Auld Enemy?
OKAY admit it. How many of you are digging around for possible connections with Portugal, Germany and Romania in a feeble attempt to justify supporting these teams against England in Euro 2000?
I for one will just be settling down for what I hope is a great football extravaganza... honest.
Chanel Cambon Handbags The biggest pity is not so much that our team isn't there, but that the ambassadors of the Tartan Army will be missing from the event.
Who could ever forget the picture that captured the spirit of Euro 1992 in Sweden - a mad tartan-clad Scot kissing a Swedish policewoman?It just seemed to sum up the fun, freedom and good-natured cheek that the Scots fans exhibit wherever they go with the team.
That's what the whole idea of following the game is all about.
By the way, I'd love to hear from that guy if he sees this.
It would be good to know what he is doing for Euro 2000 - so if you're out there,
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