As I am writing this column the Scottish Government has just published its draft budget for the coming year. But this is just the beginning of a process which may be longer and more difficult than in previous years.
For most of this session of parliament there was little doubt that the SNP government would get its way on the budget. It was all agreed in advance and behind closed doors with their Green coalition partners. Other parties could make their suggestions, and protest against the cuts to local services, housing and mental health, but the reality was that the government was guaranteed the votes it needed to pass the budget.
That all changed last year when Humza Yousaf unceremoniously ended the agreement with the Greens and ejected their ministers from Bute House. Not only did that lead in short order to the end of his time as first minister and the installation of John Swinney, but it has also meant that the government can no longer be sure of winning votes in Holyrood. We have seen that play out in votes on free school meals and peak rail fares.
My Scottish Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are taking a responsible, pragmatic approach. We have supported the budget in previous years where the government made a substantial offer to meet our priorities and the needs of the people we represent. We have been engaging in good faith with the government and will continue to do so.
We have to be honest though that this is a difficult negotiation and that we have been a long way apart. Over their seventeen years in power the SNP have badly mismanaged Scotland’s economy and public services and failed to grow the economy at the pace needed to support public services.
We have set out our priorities which reflect the daily challenges people face. We are also clear on our red lines, including that no money is spent on pursuing independence. Ultimately the change that Scotland needs is a change of government, which can only come with an election.
Now that it is published MSPs from all parties will examine and debate the draft budget, but the first votes won’t be held until February.
We will examine the budget, continue discussions with ministers, talk to our constituents, and reach a responsible judgement. People in Scotland will have the chance to reach their own judgement on nearly two decades of SNP governance at the next election.