Progressive politics is not something to be bolted on to another cause.

It's true across the U.K. that those who had least to do with causing the economic crisis are carrying the heaviest burden. That's unacceptable.

Scotland cannot be the only 'something for nothing' country in the world.

I love hard political debate and I love beating somebody on a political point but what I'm more frustrated by is the politics where you play the man not the politics.

The test is can you do something, rather than have a theoretical argument - can you make a difference?

We shall seek debate without division or rancour.

Scotland is my country, the nation that shaped me, that taught me my values. A nation whose achievements inspired and inspire me, a community whose failings drive me - drive my overwhelming desire to fight for social justice and equality.