Despite a busy day last Monday, I managed to sign in online for Orkney SNP’s meeting with First Minister John Swinney, who was in Orkney for two days of engagements.

While John was clear, when he was elected in May 2024, that he wanted to be First Minister for all of Scotland, I know more than most that covering the geographic spread of this beautiful country is easier said than done.

However, John has been in the Highlands and Islands several times during his leadership so far, including now all three island authorities. I’m sure folk in Orkney will say that he left the best until last!

With the Scottish Budget having been backed in a Holyrood vote just before recess by the Lib Dems, as well as the Greens and Alba – Labour sitting on their hands means it will pass – it is clear that the SNP is setting out a positive, forward-looking vision for Scotland that folk are getting behind.

And I am sure that will include a growing number of folk in Orkney, as they start to see decisions made in Scotland, for Scotland starting to make a positive difference to lives in the islands.

It is also clear that the case for independence grows ever stronger, running alongside the case for re-electing the SNP as the biggest party in Scotland when the Scottish Parliament elections are held next year.

The SNP will always make the argument for Scotland’s membership of the EU, and for migration being an economic benefit. If population growth is the quickest way to economic growth, then the stance of the UK Labour Government against allowing Scotland any kind of different migration policy is doing us economic harm.

As John Swinney remarked to Orkney SNP members, his discussions with representatives of NHS Orkney and Orkney Islands Council last Monday included the challenges of delivering social care within the community, which is influenced by the lack of working age folk within the community. We need migration to support and assist with that.

Another disappointment from Labour has been their energy policy. They told us we would see lower energy bills under Labour, but prices keep going up – and it appears GB Energy won’t be delivering what it promised any time soon.

The lack of political will at Westminster to change how our energy market operates really doesn’t make sense, especially in a place like Orkney, where fuel poverty rates remain stubbornly high despite plentiful renewal generation.

Contrast that intransigence with the Scottish Government delivering £5 million towards the creation of a major renewables hub in Scapa Flow.

It was also good to hear of the support to Orkney farmers and food producers in their case for a new local abattoir.

These investments, along with extra funding for Orkney’s ferries through the Scottish Budget, demonstrate that the Scottish Government is listening to islanders and helping them strengthen their communities and the local economy.

This is a regular column by SNP MSP Emma Roddick. All Highlands and Islands Regional MSPs have been offered the same space in The Orkney News to share their personal views.