On Thursday 4 July Scotland voted for change, and for politicians and government to return to the service of working people. While Scottish Labour ultimately won the election in Scotland with a majority of seats, we do not claim a majority on wisdom. We know that for too long now, Scots have been fed up of our two governments spending more time fighting each other rather than fighting for them.
I want to reset our relationship with the Scottish Government. I want to turn disagreement into co-operation. I want the Scottish Government to have a seat at the table, to work with us to deliver generational change.
That’s why the Prime Minister fulfilled his election promise to make it an immediate priority to travel to Scotland to meet the First Minister, John Swinney, to reset that relationship. I joined this meeting alongside the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. Around the table there are clearly political differences, but there are also areas where we can work together to improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
It is those issues want - need - to focus on. There is genuine will to do things differently. The first of these is Grangemouth, and I was delighted that we were able to announce on Friday that the UK Government is investing to help ensure the long term future of the site as part of our transition to clean energy.
This is a great example of what can be achieved when we reset relationships and work productively with partners to drive economic growth and make life .
