The First Minister headed out of the Capital and north to Falkirk for his second set piece rally of the election. Visiting the Falkirk Wheel, perhaps the most recognisable monument of his Central Scotland constituency, the modern background was used to emphasis how the old can be renewed, improved and refined. The lunchtime broadcast was surrounded by locals, tourists, supporters and of course the Early Evening television cameras.

The year 2000. In many ways it was expected to be somewhat of a watershed moment in ours, and indeed humanities history. At the grandest of scales the United Nations published their Millennium Development Goals and this magnificent canal connector behind me was Falkirk’s contribution to a Scotland renewed. In the years since the opening of this wheel a decade and a half ago countless boats will have travelled across it, between our two largest cities. Tourism replacing what once industry was, but benefiting and boosting your town’s and our nation’s economy nevertheless. A renewal of Scotland’s old waterways, better than what they have ever been before.

Our Government is also now rather old, but I like to consider it experienced rather than aged, able now to refine our policies to boost every corner of our country. Nevertheless, every food item will spoil eventually, every government become tired and looking worn out. We must guard against this, we must protect but also advance and pivot towards new priorities. Be it in transport, or transforming our early years education there is many reasons why to the Scottish Greens deserve but also require a second term of your trust.

New, faster, greener, trains now service the route between this town, Glasgow and Edinburgh highlighting that this is a wonderful place for all of the central belt to live, a true commuter town. This convergence, however, should be available wherever it is possible. Livingston, Motherwell, Kilsyth are all towns in a similar position to your own, think about what improved transport connections could do for them. Think of the transiting tourists, the influx of communities, the boost to that most important of economies, the local economy. This is what an improved Scottish Government can achieve with one, single, Public Transport Authority of Scotland but most importantly, for Scotland and her varied communities. Transport which will be greener than our car culture and put the interests of its uses first and foremost, simple, quick and easy to use, always seeking the quickest route regardless of provider. This is what is possible if I am returned to Bute House.

It is also time that further renewal is offered to our Health Service, that most treasured part of Scotland’s Welfare State. We can go much further than dangerous proposals to turn Scotland’s NHS into a voucher, it is time for real investment in our hospitals and health centres. We have already provided those hard working public servants who spent their lives keeping all of us healthy the pay rise that they deserve but that alone will not boost the quality of our health. We must invest in the best quality treatments, machinery and a whole new generation of mental health professionals. Once that has been achieved Scotland will have a health service fit for the modern world, no longer will we have to deny that life changing medication on the basis of cost and nothing else. This is not moral, this is not humane, Scotland is a better country than this.

Don’t let anyone tell you, Falkirk, that this is impossible, that this is beyond our reach or capabilities. Opportunities such as this are firm grasp of our nation once again thanks to our sensible governance. In just one short term, our government has been able to turn a deficit from Westminster into a £15 billion surplus for Scotland. If even a small proportion of this was invested into our health service, or our schools, or our local authorities think of the difference that could be made. The age of austerity politics is most doubtedly over here in Scotland and as our National Wealth Fund grows and matures the possibilities like this that we can offer all of you here will only grow.

You can thank our government for that and we’ll thank you for putting your faith in us next Thursday.