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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Salmond delivers Scottish vision | Salmond delivers Scottish vision |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| Scotland's new first minister, Alex Salmond, has put the economy at the heart of his plans for government. | |
| In a statement to Holyrood, the SNP leader said growth over the past decade had been disappointing. | In a statement to Holyrood, the SNP leader said growth over the past decade had been disappointing. |
| Mr Salmond, head of Scotland's first minority government, also laid out Liberal Democrat, Tory and Labour policies he may take forward. | Mr Salmond, head of Scotland's first minority government, also laid out Liberal Democrat, Tory and Labour policies he may take forward. |
| The first minister said it was now time to get down to business, adding: "Scotland's new politics starts now." | The first minister said it was now time to get down to business, adding: "Scotland's new politics starts now." |
| In his speech, Mr Salmond said he wanted to respect the diversity of opinion across the parliament chamber, but warned that he did not favour "false consensus". | In his speech, Mr Salmond said he wanted to respect the diversity of opinion across the parliament chamber, but warned that he did not favour "false consensus". |
| The first minister said the "overarching priority" of his administration was faster and more sustainable economic growth. | The first minister said the "overarching priority" of his administration was faster and more sustainable economic growth. |
| I don't say today that Scotland can be instantly transformed into an economic powerhouse Alex SalmondFirst Minister Move to end bridge tolls | |
| He said he would work to remove or cut business rates from small businesses and appoint a council of economic advisers to provide independent advice. | |
| He set out plans to bring forward legislation setting "ambitious targets" to cut greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a drive to boost renewable energy. | |
| Mr Salmond said: "I don't say today that Scotland can be instantly transformed into an economic powerhouse, but I do say that if we are to look objectively around us, we can learn many lessons about how to make Scotland successful. | |
| "Economic regeneration may not be achieved in the lifetime of this parliament - in truth the step change required may take a generation before Scotland has tackled some of our economic problems. | |
| "But the job of this government, and this parliament, is to make our long-term economic underperformance not a matter of political point scoring but rather a legitimate area for mature debate." | |
| Independence question | |
| Mr Salmond praised Lib Dem policies on promoting young people, Conservative calls for more police and Labour proposals to raise the smoking age. | |
| The first minister said he would also seek to strengthen Scotland's voice in Europe, adding that the government would be "the most outward-looking" Scotland had ever had. | |
| Mr Salmond also acknowledged that the appetite for Scottish independence was not universally reflected in the Holyrood chamber. | |
| "This government will explore how best to reflect that reality and engage in a national conversation, not just with this parliament but with the people of Scotland," he said. |