I WATCHED and listened to the First Minister’s New Year video message in the chance that there might be some indication of the political way ahead in 2023. I watched it twice just in case I missed any of it. Sadly there was no mention of the I word, the R word or even the E word (independence, referendum, election).

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon outlines pledges to Scotland in Hogmanay message

Instead the topics included thanking the NHS workers for their hard work during the Covid crisis, despite the fact our government now refuses to meet their pay claims. Mention was made of tough times for businesses but not of the general public struggling to pay their energy bills and feed their children. Child poverty it seems is best reduced by increased benefits, not by looking at its root causes. Climate change will be solved by working with businesses, like the Scotwind project in which our wind resources are leased to the private sector so that they can charge us massive prices for the resultant electricity.

Never mind, let’s forget about all that as it seems there is so much to look forward to in 2023 including Scotland hosting the World Cycling Championships. Haud me back.

Glenda Burns
Glasgow