Looking back on the first four years

We are fast approaching the end of the SNP's first term in government. Looking back to May 2007 and our first few weeks, I can remember wondering whether we would be able to stay in office until Christmas, never mind lasting 4 years. And yet 4 Budgets and 34 Acts (so far) later, we have not only survived as a minority government, but in many ways flourished. Around three-quarters of votes have been won.

And thinking back four years ago, few could have foreseen the credit crunch and global economic downturn or the change in direction in public spending. After years of increases in Scotland's budget we are the first government that has had to deal with year on year reductions in the block grant.

It is against this backdrop that we have delivered 84 out of 94 of our headline manifesto commitments. That's a pretty good scorecard for any government, never mind a minority government during a period of financial crisis.

Scotland's recession was shorter and shallower than the UK and the decisions taken by John Swinney in his budgets - his social contract - mean that more is being directed to the frontline than many thought possible.

A big part of this is the action already taken to reduce costs and generate savings. Many of these steps have not been highlighted but I think are worth repeating now. Efficiency savings targets were exceeded by £300 million in 2008-09 and by £400 million in 2009-10. Our target should, again, be exceeded in the most recent year. Procurement savings of over £450 million were achieved between 2008 and 2010, including some real innovations, for example the combined public sector energy contract (saving £10 million per annum). And innovative 'reverse auctions' have, on the three occasions they've been used, saved £27 million on IT contracts.

And these savings aren't just about the past - they are having benefits for spending plans into the future. The steps taken to reduce the number of quangos will save around £125 million up to 2013 and almost £40 million a year, each year, thereafter. That's money released to spend on the frontline - it's enough to pay the wages of numerous teachers, nurses and police officers.

We entered the election in 2007 untested and untried. But can any but the most partisan now doubt the competence, credibility and experience of the SNP leadership team?

Over these past few weeks I've been looking through some of our achievements in government. Many are well rehearsed and well remembered - the council tax freeze, shorter waiting times, smaller primary classes, the extra police and 32 year low crime, the abolition of the bridge tolls to name just a few. But it is worth recalling some of the others - just a few of those that don't often get flagged up.

• We've provided extra funding for Scotland's veteran charities and ensured our ex-servicemen and women receive priority treatment in the NHS.
• One million more Scots are registered with an NHS dentist.
• We've raised the legal age for buying tobacco to 18
• We've helped 5,351 people buy their first home with our shared equity scheme
• We've helped 10,000 pensioners and families secure £1.6 million through our benefits health checks
• 100,000 pre-school Scots are now getting almost 20% more free nursery education
• 55,000 school kids from less well off families are now getting free school meals
• We've ensured that 4 out of 5 public sector contracts go to small businesses
• We've invested £2 million in small post offices, allowing 49 of these important community hubs to stay open
• Sales of Scottish food and drink have increased by 30%
• Violent crime is down by over a fifth since we came to office, and
• We've made it easier to prosecute people for serious sexual offences

Over these four years progress has been made. We have touched the lives of many and I believe improved the lives of many, often in small but important ways. There is of course more to do, and that is why we go into this election determined to secure victory once again. We know the job of making Scotland more successful has only just begun.