It is a pleasure to write my first column for the Orkney News since being elected once again to represent the Highlands & Islands in the Scottish Parliament earlier this month.
The election count was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon — following a tense 17-hour wait in Inverness, I ended up being the final MSP declared across Scotland. Clearly, they saved the best till last!
Although I was naturally disappointed not to win the Caithness, Sutherland & Ross constituency seat for the SNP, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return as a regional MSP for the Highlands & Islands. Representing the region during my first term at Holyrood between 2016 and 2021 was a real honour, and I look forward to continuing that work on behalf of communities in Orkney.
It was a historic vote with the SNP securing its fifth successive term in government alongside the largest pro-independence majority the Scottish Parliament has ever seen.
That message of constitutional reform was not confined to Scotland alone— election results across the UK pointed to an appetite for change, with nationalist parties now at the helm of governments across the Celtic nations.
As the First Minister made clear last week – his government is committed to continuing to build support for Scottish independence. Westminster is in utter chaos, and it is hurtling towards a Farage future making our independence more crucial than ever. Labour would prefer to bury their heads in the sand but it’s not an issue they can ignore – polls show that support for independence in Scotland is now in the majority. That is why Parliament yesterday, Tuesday, voted on a motion formally seeking the transfer of powers from the UK Government to enable a referendum on Scottish independence to take place.
Our focus remains on delivering the priorities people voted for, from improving public services to growing the economy. But we will continue to make the democratic case for independence and demand the UK Government respect the wishes of the Scottish people.
Following the formation of the new Scottish Government by First Minister John Swinney, I am honoured to have been appointed Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, and Alcohol & Drugs. Having previously worked across these portfolios, I know how important they are to people and communities throughout the country and I’m ready to get stuck back in.
I am of course, delighted to be retaining ministerial responsibility for sport – an area I care deeply about, not just as a lifelong rugby fanatic, but because I firmly believe in the positive impact sport can have on both our physical health and mental wellbeing.
This summer promises to be a landmark moment for Scottish sport. The men’s national football team will compete at the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years, before Glasgow once again proudly hosts the Commonwealth Games. These major events will undoubtedly inspire many, and we want to build on that momentum by encouraging more children and young people into physical activity. £40 million of new investment has been committed to ensure that everyone in Scotland — regardless of background — has the opportunity to take part in sport. Part of this will include a new Sports Taster Fund, backed by £5 million, designed to give young people across the country the chance to try new sports and discover activities they can enjoy for life.
I always say that we need to look North if we want to be inspired and the figures published in the Orkney News this week on walking and wheeling demonstrate exactly that. 73% of Orkney residents walk or wheel every day, compared with a national average of 57%. Safety is a key factor, as reported, with figures showing that 87% of residents feel safe walking or wheeling alone.
If we are serious about increasing active travel and encouraging more people to be physically active, there is clearly much we can learn from Orkney. The SNP has committed to working with the Scottish Outdoor Recreation Alliance and other partners to develop a Scottish Paths Fund, which will protect and enhance our landscapes while supporting the development of active travel routes. Alongside this, we will introduce a £2.5 million bike repair scheme to support people with the cost of living and make it easier for more bikes to be repaired and used as an everyday means of transport. We know the enormous benefits physical activity can have for both physical health and mental wellbeing, and these measures are about making active lifestyles more accessible to everyone.
There is certainly plenty of work ahead, but I will always work to be a strong voice for Orkney in Parliament. Please do get in touch if there is anything I can help with.
This is a column by SNP MSP Maree Todd. All Highlands and Islands MSPs who wish to feature their personal views in The Orkney News can email, news@theorkneynews.scot