NICOLA Sturgeon will this week insist the SNP has laid the “strong foundations for a stronger Scotland” when Holyrood reconvenes for its final session ahead of the 2016 election.
Unveiling her programme for government on Tuesday, the First Minister will also say she plans to use new powers flowing from the pre-referendum 'Vow' both “creatively and wisely”.
However Sturgeon and her ministers will face intense opposition criticism over the SNP’s record in government since 2007, particularly on health, education and policing.
Both Labour and the Tories last night urged the First Minister to “get a grip” of bread and butter issues instead of planning how to time and win a second independence referendum.
Defending her party’s eight years in power, Sturgeon said there was a “substantial” record of success on the economy, education, health, justice, transport and infrastructure.
She said: “I am extremely proud of the Scottish Government's record since 2007. As we enter the final parliamentary session of this current term, the programme for government [will] set out how we will continue to deliver for people right across Scotland, making the country wealthier and fairer and protecting the public services that we all cherish.”
Scottish Labour public services spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said the SNP needed to “roll up their sleeves and get on with running the country” instead of dwelling on the constitution.
Key priorities should be the “crisis in GP recruitment”, the educational attainment gap between rich and poor, Police Scotland, and delays to capital projects such as schools.
“Let’s see some action, not just warm words,” she said.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said improving pupil literacy should be the SNP’s priority for 2020 in light of a recent fall in school standards, not “Indyref2”.
She said: "Nicola Sturgeon can demonstrate she has the right priorities by making it her mission to ensure every child, no matter their circumstances, leaves primary school able to read and write well. And she can show she has the right focus by guaranteeing that she won't drag Scotland back into the constitutional cul-de-sac of another referendum."
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