"If you want change, vote Scottish Labour" - Sarwar delivers campaign launch speech

"Let's hear it for our brilliant candidates.

All fighting for change, all from different walks of life, from different backgrounds, but all united by one thing

The desire to change their communities and our country, Scotland, for the better.

And all determined to win.

And friends let me be clear about our ambition and our goal.

It is to win. It is to elect a new First Minister and it is to elect a Scottish Labour Government.

Over the next 6 weeks we will be making it clear that:

After 20 years of SNP government, Scotland needs change, and this is the only party that can deliver it.

Because the fact is that only Scottish Labour can beat the SNP.

This is the only campaign that can change the government and fix the SNP's mess,

This is the only campaign that can change the government and make sure we get the basics right.

And this is the only campaign that can win and build a better future for our country, Scotland!

This is the first opportunity in a generation to change the Government in Scotland and it is not one we can afford to miss.

And I know it is one we will not miss!

My first priority and my first loyalty is to my country, Scotland.

So I proudly stand in front of you today, thanking you for your support and encouragement,

and proudly accepting your trust as our party's candidate to be the next First Minister of Scotland.

The promise I make to you is this, over the next 6 weeks I will demonstrate that you can win and change our country by bringing Scotland together, not by dividing Scots.

And that will be a stark contrast to the campaigns of our opponents.

We know what they will say about us and what they will say about me.

The SNP will say I am not for Scotland.

Reform will say I am not Scottish enough.

But they misunderstand the mood of the nation.

People are fed up of the old politics of division.

They want a more positive and hopeful government and a more positive and hopeful future for Scotland.

Because friends, there are now two kinds of politician in this country.

Those like John Swinney and Nigel Farage who see problems and use them to divide us.

Or leaders who see problems, get to work fixing them and bring our country together in the process.

I have never believed the answer was to shrug your shoulders and say, we can't fix things. I never will.

When I worked as an NHS dentist, every day, my colleagues and I rolled up our sleeves and asked, how can we help?

That is who I am.

That is who we are.

And that is what this campaign will deliver.

Regardless of politics, the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland want the same basic things.

A country that works.

A government that listens.

A future that feels better than the present.

And after 20 years in Government, the SNP have had their chance, and they have lost their way.

That's why this election must be about removing them from office and demonstrating that Scotland is a country full of ambition, talent, ideas and resources that should be used to get things done.

So I say directly to those who support independence.

You know my view and even if we disagree on Scotland's destination,

that doesn't mean we can't come together and make Scotland better right now.

Not more excuses,

no more looking for someone else to blame.

But instead new energy, new ideas, new leadership and a new First Minister that shares the same ambition for Scotland as you do.

Now I know lots of people feel scunnered.

Worse than that, there are many that feel angry.

They know how broken things are and feel as if nothing works.

Some may be tempted by Reform.

I say to them directly,

Don't be fooled by the Tories in disguise.

The Same team with a different badge.

Reform can't win in Scotland and they can't beat the SNP.

All they risk doing is helping a tired SNP desperately cling on to power - stopping change.

Scots have seen these chancers before and rejected them and I have no doubt they will reject them again.

Nigel Farage and Reform don't understand Scotland, don't care about Scotland and can't change Scotland.

But Scotland does need change.

The people of Scotland need change.

You all see it every day.

If you are stuck on an NHS waiting list waiting in pain, you need change and this campaign is for you.

If you are working harder and harder, but feel like you are getting less and less in return, you need change and this campaign is for you.

If you are worried about your kids future and want better opportunities for all our children, you need change and this campaign is for you.

If you are one of the thousands looking for a home or struggling to save to buy your first home, you need change and this campaign is for you.

If you feel unsafe, insecure and worry about crime and the state of your local community, you need change and this campaign is for you.

If you agree that Scotland needs change.

And that it needs a new government that will fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future.

Then this campaign is for you.

And what does this change look like?

Over the next six weeks we will set out the case for change and what it will mean for you and your family.

Not just why we have to beat the SNP.

But how we will deliver a government that will fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future.

A Scottish Labour government!

A Scottish Labour government that will fix our NHS so it's there when you need it. Cut waiting lists, end the 8am rush for a GP and bring back the family doctor.

A Scottish Labour government that will make life affordable, end the waste and back business to create local jobs.

A Scottish Labour government that will put police back where they belong, on our streets ensuring safety, crack down on anti-social behaviour and end the SNP's soft touch on crime.

A Scottish Labour government that will build 125,000 new homes, make rent more affordable, help first time buyers and end rough sleeping once and for all.

A Scottish Labour government that will fill the potholes and invest in communities, restore our high streets and get the economy growing in every part of Scotland.

A Scottish Labour Government delivering on the hopes and aspirations of Scotland.

And friends let me talk about one area in more detail.

If this election is about anything, then it must be about the future.

And the very definition of our country's future are our amazing young people.

Let's be honest, does it feel like we are going to maintain the generational promise of the next generation getting better opportunities than the last?

It doesn't feel like it.

It feels like that generational promise will be broken.

It's why we can't miss this generational opportunity to change the government and set our country, Scotland, on a different, better and more prosperous path.

That means returning Scotland to our historical roots and delivering an education system that sets our children up to succeed.

And this is how we will do it.

We will fix the SNP's mess by restoring order in classrooms, by banning mobile phones – protecting our children's mental health and backing our teachers to improve discipline in the process.

We will get the basics right by delivering breakfast clubs in every school so no child ever starts school hungry.

We will deliver more support in the classroom with 1500 additional classroom assistants.

At least 300 of these assistants will be located in Additional Support Needs schools and units to support pupils with the highest need.

And I can announce today that we will drive up standards in reading, writing, maths and science with 2,000 new specialist teachers to help children who have fallen behind in literacy and numeracy.

We won't leave any child behind. We will get it right for every child.

Because friends, when I say our young people and education is a priority, I actually mean it.

Remember when Nicola Sturgeon said education was her top priority?

Who was the man she appointed Education Secretary to deliver that priority?

John Swinney!

And what was his single biggest achievement as Education Secretary?

What will he be remembered for?

Well he was the man that marked down the exam results of working-class children during the pandemic.

Shameful!

He ignored the judgement of teachers, and the poorest pupils paid the price.

Unforgivable.

And when he did that, John Swinney sent a message to Scotland.

He told teachers he didn't trust them,

and he told working class young people he didn't believe in them.

Where John Swinney marked kids down in their exams, I as First Minister will help lift them up and get on in life.

Because the future is at the door. AI is about to change the world of work in unrecognisable ways sooner than we understand.

In an uncertain world, we will build more in Scotland. In defence, energy and advanced manufacturing.

That will open up huge opportunities for young people to have a secure, well paid career.

But only if their government backs them.

But only if their government shares their ambition.

I make a firm commitment that a Scottish Labour Government will maintain free tuition.

But we shouldn't pretend that university is the only route to success or the best route for everybody.

That's why we will back our colleges and apprenticeships too.

Take shipbuilding as an example.

Just a few miles from here, the next generation of ships are being built, but with hundreds of welders from abroad because we aren't training enough Scottish young people with the proper skills.

So we will build a better future by creating 9,000 new apprenticeships in key industries.

That's an apprenticeship guarantee for those in the growing sectors, where we need skills.

Scotland needs change and that means delivering a better future for all young people.

So this campaign is about Scotland's future.

Not Scotland's past.

And it's a campaign that will seek to bring people together.

Not use our problems as a way to divide people.

Scotland has the opportunity in May to build a better future.

It's one we can't afford to miss.

So my pledge to the people of Scotland is this.

I will be a First Minister for all of us.

And no longer will the ambition and hard work of the Scottish people be limited by a lack of ambition from their Scottish government.

Scotland's choice on May the 7th May is a simple one.

A third decade of SNP Government with John Swinney as First Minister.

Or a Scottish Labour Government with me as First Minister.

In constituency after constituency only Scottish Labour can beat the SNP.

Across Scotland only Scottish Labour can beat the SNP.

And only I can replace John Swinney as First Minister.

So let's go out there and win this for Scotland.

Let's show people that the politics of bringing people together can beat the politics of division.

Let's show people that they don't need to accept that this is as good as it gets and that hope and change can win.

So if you believe Scotland needs change – then don't miss the opportunity to vote for it.

Change to fix our NHS.

Change that will help all our young people to succeed.

Change to make our streets safter and communities stronger.

Change for our towns, cities, islands and villages.

Change to fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.

After 20 years of SNP Government

Scotland needs change.

In 42 days you can vote for it.

If you want change then on May 7th, vote Scottish Labour."