A time to pull together for the common good, says Salmond

Published on Tuesday 23 December 2008 20:42

SCOTLAND faces "difficult times ahead", the First Minister, Alex Salmond, warned yesterday.

But he insisted the Scottish Government was doing everything in its power to help people in the wake of the economic downturn.

And he used his Christmas message to stress the action the government has taken to help the less well off at home and abroad.

Mr Salmond said: "As we near the end of another year and gather with friends and family this Christmas, we can look back on 12 months that have brought special challenges for Scotland.

"But this is, more than any other time of year, a moment when we should also pause to think of those who are perhaps less fortunate than ourselves.

"That fine Scottish tradition of protecting the common weal and looking out for one another is something that marks us out as a nation."

Mr Salmond said the 2009 Year of Homecoming promised to be a "landmark year for Scotland".

And he spoke about the country's "vast untapped potential" for renewable energy.

The First Minister said: "That is the face Scotland should be presenting to the world – open, generous, welcoming, enterprising and inspiring – with an eye to the future and a heart to forgive."

He went on: "Christmas is a time for returning home, for gatherings and for enjoying precious time with loved ones.

"But we should never fail to look out for those who may be spending the day alone.

"And, as ever, there will be those for whom Christmas is another working day – especially those dedicated staff in our emergency services, to whom we all owe so much, who work for us every day."

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray also said there were tough times ahead for the country but, that with the right spirit and right attitude, the nation could get through 2009 together.

"The season of goodwill is not only a time for family and friends," he said. "It is also a time to look out for those less fortunate."