What would you do if you were First Minister for a day?

So we asked a number of people what they would do if they were "afforded the opportunity of being first minister for just one day."

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Talat Yaqoob, Research Consultant and Campaigner

My day would focus on finding ways to lock the Scottish Government into delivering an economy that prioritises care; social care, childcare, and unpaid care.

Until we take this seriously, we will continue to exist in a society with poverty and inequality.

There is lots of talk about transformative change, but we are stuck in a loop of talking about ambitious ideas rather than implementing them.

If care need and care work were given the status they deserved through radical investment and fair pay we would dramatically improve the lives of those dependent on it and working within it; and that’s particularly migrant women, women of colour and disabled women.

Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy, CEO, Equality Network 

I would focus on the issues that affect all of us: Access to good competent healthcare, including mental health services, lifting people out of poverty, safe affordable housing, ensuring people feel safe in the streets, in their homes, in their workplace.

And I would recognise and understand how these same issues devastatingly and disproportionately affect marginalised people.

I would ensure that the work I did sought to reflect those disproportionate effects and I delivered policy, legislation and strategies that bettered the lives of those who struggled the most - that way I’d know that my work could truly help everyone.

Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Grampian Chamber of Commerce

First orders of business: relocate Scotland’s capital to the North East and carve £1 billion out of the revenue budget annually for the Dons.

Thereafter, the focus needs to be on creating the conditions that allow businesses to get on with what they do best: innovating, delivering for customers, creating high quality jobs and driving economic growth.  

To do this we need to create a competitive business and personal tax regime and use Scotland’s energy resources to accelerate transition, rather than taxing the sector to death.

A few billion to upgrade transport infrastructure in the North of Scotland would help unlock growth too.  

Matt Downie, Chief Executive, Crisis

If I was First Minister for a day, I’d require every Cabinet Secretary, from health, to education, to justice, to play a role in preventing homelessness.

I’d expect every portfolio in government to help ensure everyone in Scotland has a safe, secure place to call home.

I’d also build more social housing, which would free up people’s income to spend elsewhere and stop more households being pushed into homelessness. Doing these things would save money, take pressure off public services and reduce poverty.

I’d spend my day in Bute House ending homelessness because it would be the best way to build a better Scotland.

Dan Paris, Advocacy Manager, Scottish Environment LINK

People deeply care about Scotland’s natural environment and all the evidence shows they want strong leadership to protect our wee bit of the planet.

One day isn’t enough to save nature – but, given the keys to Bute House for a day, I would set clear legal targets to stop and reverse the decline of the natural world.

We can do this by protecting our iconic habitats, ending deer overpopulation, bringing in overdue protections for our seas, and improving the way we fund farming and forestry.

David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium 

In the morning I’d get every Minister and senior civil servant into shops across Scotland to see for themselves the amazing work done by retailers and store colleagues to serve shoppers and communities, and to better understand the pressures stores and colleagues face including abuse and shoplifting.

In the afternoon I’d want those two groups to deliver practical policies to combat retail crime (e.g. make it a priority in the Strategic Police Priorities), ensure new regulations which stores will have to implement are proportionate and practical, and implement a competitive business rates system which encourages investment in Scotland’s retail destinations.

Count Binface, intergalactic space warrior and London Mayoral candidate 

If I became First Minister for a day, my priorities would be clear. Difficult though the job is, I think I would look to do everything in my power, within those first twenty-four hours, to not become embroiled in a massive financial scandal, or terminally damage my working relationship with my coalition partners, or buy a camper van using money from questionable sources.

Based on my predecessors’ performance, all of that will take up a lot of energy, so after that I might put my feet up for a bit, and then summon John Higgins for some highly important private snooker tuition.

To be a skilled politician you need to be made of granite, and the Wizard of Wishaw makes granite look like silly putty.

He sums up Scottish ingenuity, grit and determination, and I think he could improve my safety game. After that, I might give Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and St Mirren a billion pounds each, just to make the Scottish Premiership interesting for once.

Oh and I’ll sort out the schools, hospitals, roads and other things people vote for too.

Louise Gilmour, Secretary, GMB Scotland 

Arriving at Bute House for a shift as First Minister, our to-do list could trail around Charlotte Square.

In the morning, an industrial strategy for Scotland is announced to seize the economic opportunities of Net Zero.

The plan protects and utilises our skills and experience offshore; builds new domestic supply chains up and down the coastline; and, with committed and ambitious investment, creates secure, well-paid jobs right now and for generations to come.

After lunch, we settle this year’s already overdue public services pay claim, unfreeze Council Tax and begin talking to councils about a new settlement to bolster the frontline services, from roads and cleansing to parks and care, that our communities are built on.

Then, before the lights are turned off, we rush to ensure social care workers in the private sector get the same pay and conditions as council staff as a crucial first step in transformative change in the sector.

A good day’s work although the to-do list seems just as long when we leave.

Laura Wright, Head of Programmes at CoMoUK, the UK’s national charity for shared transport

For too long, the Scottish Government has had a record of underachievement and overpromising on climate change action. That would end if I were to be First Minister.

Transport is still by far Scotland’s biggest generator of emissions, so attracting people out of their cars has to be a priority, especially for short journeys that could easily be done another way.

To do this, I would order a massive investment in sustainable transport and create a network of mobility hubs, which would allow people to hop off a train and straight onto a shared bike.”

Phil Connor, Scottish Campaigns Officer, Electoral Reform Society

The soon-to-be former First Minister’s statement chimes with the findings of the first national Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland, that we need to have far more everyday people involved in decision making at a national and local level.

When people decide together what is desirable and possible they make better, more rounded decisions than one person alone can.

That’s why as First Minister our first action would be to share the power in Holyrood more evenly throughout Scotland. We must create a democracy that involves us all, all the time; where citizens do not just choose rulers but shape the rules.

Carolyn Lochhead, Director of External Affairs, Scottish Federation of Housing Association

Funding the social homes we desperately need would be transformational in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing Scotland today: child poverty and record homelessness.

Scotland has a proud record on social housing, building more affordable rented homes than anywhere else in the UK. That means more people have safe, warm, affordable rented homes.

But government commitment to this has begun to unravel, and Scotland is now in the grip of a desperate housing emergency.

On day one, I would reverse the recent hammer-blow cut of almost £200 million to the affordable housebuilding budget, and prioritise investment in social homes.

Alastair Cameron, Chair, Scotland in Union

If I was first minister for this current Scottish Parliament, I’d call an election now: it’s time for change from the failures of an SNP administration propped up by the opportunistic Greens, and we shouldn’t wait until 2026.

If I could make policy, I’d divert the money wasted on nationalist vanity projects, such as prospectuses about leaving the UK, to education, health and transport, focusing on people’s real priorities. Finally, I’d promote collaboration over confrontation, particularly over challenges like environmental issues.

I’d urge politicians not to pick fights or promote division, but to work better together across the UK.

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, CEO, Business for Scotland, Founder, Believe in Scotland

I would announce that Britain is broken and after ten years of unnecessary austerity, Westminster's incompetence, broken promises and Brexit that it's time to unchain democracy, to give the Scottish people a chance to change their minds and choose an independent Scotland.

Assuming Westminster's continued intransigence, a new Constitutional Convention will set in motion Scotland's journey to independence building towards a landslide win for independence candidates at a de facto Holyrood election in 2026. 

Independence is for a higher purpose than politics or policies.

That's why I would focus on gaining the powers required to reset our nation's values, to focus on Scotland's wellbeing and create a fairer, greener, wealthier, healthier, happier and more successful Scotland.

Murray Blackburn Mackenzie, policy analysis group

Our new rules for Ministers and to make government work better:

•⁠ ⁠No pledges, no placards, no selfies. If you wouldn’t put it in a press release, don’t say it on social media. 

•⁠ ⁠⁠Only legislate where change is genuinely needed. 

•⁠ Question hard everyone asking you to change the law, whoever they are.

•⁠ ⁠Cut the number of Ministers, special advisers and advisory groups.

•⁠ ⁠Improve civil service training and development. Focus on core skills, including mediation, negotiation, equality impact assessments and balancing competing interests.

•⁠ ⁠Extend freedom of Information legislation to cover organisations with over 50% public funding.

• Government press officers must be unfailingly helpful to political journalists.

Connal Hughes, Friends of the Earth Scotland

I would learn the lessons of the previous FM’s failure and prioritise climate action.

Many of the changes we need to make to cut climate pollution will also make people’s lives better now, so we need them to happen as soon as possible. 

I’d start a massive home insulation roll out to make sure everyone has warm homes and lower energy bills, and redirect cash from road expansion projects to deliver reliable, affordable public transport. 

I'd reject the proposed new gas power station at Peterhead which risks locking us into fossil fuels for decades to come, and instead create pathways to good green jobs. 

Dr Khadija Mohammed, School of Education, University of West Scotland,

As First Minister, I would fund and prioritise both education and poverty campaigns.

Priority must be given to significantly improve children and young people’s educational experiences. Educational sites should be psychologically safe for every child and young person, no matter their diverse ethnic, cultural and religious background.

The cost-of-living crisis is crushing our education communities, with the impact of poverty disrupting every aspect of their lives.

All educators should be supported through enhanced professional learning to be strong social justice agents, placing equity at the heart of their practice. This impacts positively on the quality of the learning experience for all.

Alison Watson, Director, Shelter Scotland

Tackling poverty is impossible if you don’t tackle homelessness, and there’s no way to tackle homelessness if we don’t have enough social homes.

There are 10,000 children in Scotland with nowhere to call home, homelessness services are past breaking point, and private tenants face runaway rents.

So, I’d start my day in the top job by declaring a national housing emergency and then immediately set to work on a plan to end it, with the delivery of social housing at its heart. Building social homes builds a better Scotland; that should be the priority of any First Minister.

Tavish Scott, Chief Executive, Salmon Scotland

I would prioritise delivering for businesses so that we can grow Scotland’s economy – clear identifiable and measurable outcomes on reform and deregulation, removing unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape. Not another ‘reset’ or taskforce – concrete action.

I’d also immediately address the complexity of Scotland’s tax system, which is counterproductive to economic growth.

And I’d move civil servants operating in the rural sector out of Edinburgh so that they are closer to the communities where government policies have a direct impact – putting fisheries officials in Shetland and agricultural officials in areas like Dumfriesshire, for example.

Lesley Davidson, Co-Director, Beacon Arts Centre

I would immediately act to remove the cloud of uncertainty over funding for the arts in Scotland, which is leaving cultural organisations worried about their own survival.

Ensuring a thriving arts industry is a sensible economic decision but also carries proven wider benefits for the nation’s wellbeing.

Being able to enjoy a play, a panto, a concert or an exhibition should not be dismissed as some kind of optional ‘add on’ for society, it is an essential part of being human and must be made accessible to everyone in Scotland.

Mags Simpson, Interim Director, CBI Scotland

Running a business requires everyone to pull together – and Scotland ‘plc’ is no different. I would make sure all politicians – across Holyrood and Westminster - were working together to drive the economy forward and support sustainable growth.

We’ve got so many wonderful firms in Scotland and so much opportunity, but we need to bring in more investment to realise that goal.  

It would be a tall order to change things significantly in 24 hours, but I’d love to see our education and skills system better calibrated to the needs of business.

Every firm I speak to is desperate for better access to the talent they need to grow and invest. 

Paula McEwan, National President, EIS

Scottish education does not have its challenges to seek, so my day as First Minister would be a busy one.

The crisis in FE requires a significant cash injection from government, so that would be top priority.

Delivering on the government’s manifesto commitments to recruit 3,500 additional teachers and reduce teachers’ class contact time would help to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap, improve the life chances of young people, and enhance support for the growing number of young people with Additional Support Needs.

Expanding free school meals to all young people would bring massive benefits for pupil health and wellbeing.

Dorry McLaughlin, CEO, Scottish Autism 

As First Minister for a day I would have three priorities: I would implement better pay and conditions for social care staff.

Until we recognise the skills and knowledge of practitioners in our sector we will not retain the workforce we need to support those with life-long needs.

Second, we must sustainably fund the community services that prevent autistic people ending up in crisis interventions that are often deeply traumatic to the individuals and families involved.

Finally, we need accountability in the system. Establishing a dedicated commission or commissioner would ensure that the rights of autistic people are upheld

Rod Wood, Managing Director, Community Windpower

I would prioritise a planning system reform to provide a more suitable and efficient planning system for important infrastructure projects.

This would allow more stability and security in the planning system to allow £25 billion of inward investment in renewable infrastructure including onshore and offshore wind and solar and associated connectivity.

This in turn would lead to £300-to-£400 million annually of business rates and community benefits, which would drive local economies forward and bail out financially strapped councils.

Local energy funds would be set up to help the most vulnerable in the community with their energy bills and improved standard of living.

Gus Sproul, Chair, FBU Scotland 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is struggling, so I would bring an end to years of real-time budget cuts and implement the recommendations of the FBU’s Firestorm report, which sets out the need to build a resilient, sustainable, fully staffed service able to meet the demands of our times, including the climate crisis. 

Good public services are essential in creating a fair and just society, but they need proper funding, and until a different model of governance is in place for Scotland to raise its own revenue, I would implement the STUC's tax plan to provide that funding.

Lastly, I would establish a body that ensures the involvement of the trade union movement in the highest levels of political decision making, where workers' voices should be. 

Emma Koubayssi, Granddaughter and Save McClymont Campaigner

As FM for a Day, I would immediately instruct my social care minister to intervene in the closure of one of Scotland’s best-rated care homes, McClymont House in Lanarkshire. 

I would then contact the families of the residents who were set to be evicted and have their care and lives jeopardised to explain that these vulnerable elderly people would continue to receive the brilliant care they have had for years.  

Once that was done, I would then fire both the Social Care Minister and South Lanarkshire Director of Health and Social Care having allowed such a high-rated public service to have come that close to closure.

Kevin Lindsay, Scotland Organiser, ASLEF

With ASLEF in the driving seat from Bute House, Scotland’s rail passengers and train staff would know they have a First Minister who would get them where they want to be.

First stop: No more peak fares - workers should not face a tax on getting to work Our service would also call at: bringing the Caledonian Sleeper back into public hands; safer journeys with an end to driver-only trains; and cleaner trains and stations with an increase in cleaning and presentation staff.

Finally, our journey ends with a railway under public control - tracks, trains & services.  A railway that is fully staffed, with affordable fares, stations that are accessible and trains that are clean, green and attractive.

SallyAnn Kelly OBE, Chief Executive, Aberlour

At Aberlour, we see every day the desperate need for action to help children and families. John Swinney says if he becomes FM he wants to eradicate child poverty. So here’s how he could spend his first day.  

Every second should be spent preventing families from falling into poverty and debt starting with boosting the Scottish Child Payment to at least £40 and immediately expanding eligibility for free school meals to prevent school meal debt.

Overhaul ‘public debt’ recovery processes and immediately create a comprehensive debt amnesty program for low-income families which focuses on debts to public bodies such as council tax and housing arrears. 

After the first day, every remaining moment in office should be spent preventing families from falling into poverty and debt, properly funding public services and investing in programs to tackle poverty's root causes.

Sarah Woolley, General Secretary, Bakers and Allied Foodworkers Union

The Bakers and Allied Foodworkers Union members rise early and we would make the most of being FM for a day by cooking up some tasty treats.

Our recipe of a £15 an hour minimum wage would mean more dough for many of the workers that keep us fed. 

We would add a good serving of a “right to food” enshrined in Scot’s Law to end the scandal of people, especially children, going to bed hungry.  

Then we’d bring big corporations like Fish farming giant Mowi to the table, to ensure they start to serve their Scot’s workers the same benefits that their Norwegian workforce get, including better sick pay, higher overtime rates and proper trade union recognition for healthier, safer workplaces.

Mark Nelson, Comedian

As First Minister for a day my main focus would be education. It is where you build a society from. An education in Scotland was once envied around the world, however, our children are being failed. A stronger base of education leads to improvement in all other aspects of life. 

Oh and I'd declare the 14th of July a national holiday for when we inevitably win the Euros.

Jack Gamble, Campaign for the Arts

I’d significantly increase support for Scotland’s artists and cultural organisations.

Scotland excels in the arts. It’s home to internationally-celebrated artists and institutions, and to the largest arts festival in the world.

But so much is at risk.

Despite the Scottish Government’s commitment to ‘more than double’ investment in culture, this year’s budget is 6% smaller in real terms than it was in 2022-23.

Without new funding by October, Creative Scotland could be forced to reject over half of the organisations currently applying for support.

The arts make life better and Scotland richer. They're a wise investment for any First Minister.

John Dickie, Director, Child Poverty Action Group Scotland

With one in four children still in poverty I’d put families at the heart of my plans for economic prosperity.

I’d deliver an immediate above-inflation increase to the Scottish child payment.

This will put money directly into the pockets of those who need it most, who will spend it directly in their local shops – reducing poverty and stimulating the economy simultaneously.

I’d then go further on tax reform to invest in childcare and remove barriers to work.

Unlocking children from poverty is the moral thing to do, it is a legal duty and it is essential for our economic wellbeing.

What would you do if you were First Minister for a day? E-mail letters@theherald.co.uk