Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes Says Her Party Needs to Rebuild Trust

30 September 2024 (images below)

• Aiming to encourage entrepreneurialism in all parts of Scotland
• Call to restore mutual respect in debate on political issues

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes told an audience at the Wigtown Book Festival that her party needs to rebuild trust.

She added that she is confident of getting a Budget through the Scottish Parliament despite now being a minority administration after the end of the agreement with the Scottish Green Party.

Addressing one of the most contentious issues in the region – the proposals for a Galloway National Park – she gave an assurance about the consultation process and said:

“This will be a genuine consultation, absolutely.”

As someone who represents part of the Cairngorms National Park she added that while some people have frustrations many like the fact that decisions are made closer to the community.

Asked whether her party needed to regain the trust of the people she said: “Absolutely”.

She continued:

“That is the aim, the only way you can win is to regain trust that has been lost in every part of the country.”

Ms Forbes also called for a return to mutual respect where people of all opinions can debate openly and listen to one another’s perspectives on issues including independence.

“Irrespective of whether you've got a pro-independence or a pro-union government, you have to acknowledge the part of the country that doesn't support you.

“And it's something I feel really strongly about, that we have lost this ability to build bridges between people and show respect to the other side.

“I would like us to get back to an ability to actually debate these matters in a way that we perhaps have lost since 2014 because views have become so entrenched.”

On the issue of the Budget she believes that she will be able to attract the number of additional votes – or abstentions – needed to succeed.

She recalled that “it was one of my proudest moments” when she managed to get the Greens and Liberal Democrats to support her 2021 Budget, when “everybody said was impossible” to get an agreement.

Looking to her aims in government, Ms Forbes said she wants to encourage entrepreneurialism, including rural areas, and have regulation that is consistent and fair to all.

She said: “We have talented, skilled people. We've got great resources, great assets. We've got a network of extraordinarily entrepreneurial towns and villages. I think that the most entrepreneurial places in Scotland are our towns and villages.”

In terms of what voters want from government Ms Forbes said: “if you put a microphone in front of anybody and you ask them their priorities, I imagine they would say they want their public services to deliver for them when they need them, they want to be able to make ends meet and not struggle. They want fairness. They want equality of opportunity for every generation.”

-Ends-

Notes

• This year’s Wigtown Book Festival has more than 250 events and takes place from 27 September to 6 October. See
• Donations to support the work of WFC are welcome.
• For more about Wigtown Book Festival see www.wigtownbookfestival.com

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For media information: Matthew Shelley at [email protected] or 07786 704299.