Three weeks ago I was in Dundee to join Liberal Democrat activists protesting against the closure of Ryehill health centre.
Alongside our excellent local councillor Fraser Macpherson I had written to the Health Secretary to push for NHS Tayside to take over the direct running of the health centre so that it can be preserved for the community.
And as I joined our local campaigners it reminded me how proud I am of my party and its roots in community politics.
To me, it’s an issue that is emblematic of the service you get with the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
You didn’t see SNP councillors on the street that day.
The Health Secretary himself has probably never given Ryehill more than a passing glance.
But the Liberal Democrats were out standing up for the communities they serve.
Scottish Liberal Democrats have the answers at these council elections
After everything we’ve been through, Scotland needs new hope right now.
At the coming council elections, you’ll only find that hope with the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
We are the only party that wants to see more powers handed to local government to tackle the problems that communities face every day.
For too long local communities have been held back by a politics dominated by the threat of another independence referendum and an SNP government that refuses to get to grips with what matters right now.
We face so many challenges. Two years of disruption in our schools. The longest ever waits for medical appointments. The climate emergency.
So what we are we going to do about it?
There are teachers looking for work, so let’s use them to cut class sizes and boost support for pupils.
Let’s put new staff in your local surgery to get you treatment fast.
Let’s insulate every home in Scotland to protect you from the cost of living crisis and the climate emergency.
No answers from the other parties
None of the other parties are prepared to step up.
Douglas Ross and Boris Johnson have no answers.
Bills are soaring but the Conservatives have raised taxes 15 times on hardworking families.
The Prime Minister is more concerned with saving his own skin than he is that you have a roof over your head and a meal on your table.
WATCH: @agcolehamilton on BBC Newsnight last week.
We need to remember the context in which these elections are being fought: biggest squeeze on household incomes since the end of rationing.
We need a 2.5% cut to VAT to put £600 in every household's pocket. pic.twitter.com/vnzAnjMueC
— Scottish Lib Dems (@scotlibdems) May 2, 2022
Likewise, the SNP have had 15 years in charge.
They’re tired and the problems are stacking up because all they really care about is another referendum on breaking up the UK.
Hundreds of thousands of families are on the brink and desperately need help now.
The Government should be stepping up to save them.
The local elections on Thursday are an opportunity for voters to force the SNP and the Conservatives to wake up and smell the coffee.
Everywhere I go I meet people who are disappointed in the state of our politics and willing to give the Liberal Democrats another look because they see the hard work of our local activists standing up for the issues that matter to everyone.
On May 5 help us to send a clear message that Scotland needs new hope.
