AFTER nearly a decade of the SNP in office, I believe it is time for change.

The SNP made great play about pursuing new powers for the Scottish Parliament but, now that they have those powers, they doesn’t want to use them.

Using these new powers, Scottish Labour are putting forward a bold programme of change.

We will use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to introduce a 50 per cent tax rate for those earning over £150,000 per year, because we believe that those with the broadest shoulders should contribute a bit more.

The powers of the Scottish Parliament will allow us to increase the tax rate by 1p for those earning over £20,000.

The additional money raised by these tax increases will be used to invest in education and childcare, because we believe that every child deserves the best chance in life.

Under the SNP, there are now more than 150,000 people on social housing lists in Scotland and too many families in Scotland do not live in safe, warm and affordable accommodation.

Scottish Labour will build 60,000 new homes, including 45,000 council houses. We will also help first-time buyers save towards a deposit for their own home.

The money to do this will come from that set aside by the SNP Government to subsidise a cut in air passenger duty. Cutting air passenger duty will benefit only the richest 20 per cent and leave the rest of us no better off.

It also belies their so-called commitment to reducing carbon emissions, as does their wavering on fracking: to ban or not to ban? Scottish Labour’s policy on fracking is unequivocal: no ifs, no buts, a total ban on fracking.

On the campaign trail, I have been hearing about the difficulties some people experience when they try to book appointments with their GP. I have also heard about consultations with GPs and health visitors being done by phone. This is extremely troubling.

The SNP has cut funding to primary care services over the last 10 years and this has led directly to increased pressure on emergency health services.

The SNP has also cut the number of medical students, which means a long-term solution is required. As a priority, Scottish Labour will address the long-term underfunding of primary care services by the SNP.

The freeze on council tax is destroying local services. Accompanied by the SNP’s year-on-year cuts to local government, the most vulnerable families in our community have suffered the full impact of austerity.

The SNP claim to oppose austerity but, in fact, they are standing with the Tories to protect the highest earners against paying any more tax. Only Scottish Labour will stop the cuts.

If you elect me as your MSP, you will be electing someone who is passionate about his community and who will work hard towards a better future, a fairer Scotland built on social justice and equality.

I want to work with you to build that future – Both Votes Labour on May 5.