At last, it's 1997! There has to be a General Election this year and the SNP are enteringthe Election campaign with our strongest, most sustained, pre-election support ever.

Morale in the Party is high, and no wonder. The SNP has come a long way since the lastelection in 1992. Just look at our successes:

Deputy Leader Allan Macartney won the North East seat from Labour at the 1994 Euroelections, Winnie Ewing gained the largest majority among Scotland's Euro-MPs, andnationally the SNP gained a third of the vote; At the unitary authority election in April1995, the SNP took Perth and Kinross, Moray, and Angus councils, and became the secondlargest party in Scottish local government in terms of seats and votes. In May 1995,Roseanna Cunningham won the Perth by-election and was sent to Westminster with a majority of7,311; In opinion polls the SNP have now spent more than five years above 20% and ourconsistent poll rating in 1996 showed the strength of our core support. During 1996 we wonthree more local government seats and increased our vote in almost every contest, unlikeLabour whose vote fell over 10%.

The past year has also seen the publication of major documents by the SNP. Our 'Programmefor Government' sets out a fully costed and detailed set of policies for the first fouryears of an independent parliament and several economic documents including 'Scotland PaysHer Way' and the 'Economic Case for Independence' show how Scotland's wealth could be usedfor the benefit of Scots and not to subsidise London and the south east.

Over the summer of 1996 alone, the SNP's 'Best for Scotland' campaign spelled out in detailwhat Independence means in terms of the economy, housing, health, education, social policy,and Europe. While New Labour were tearing themselves to pieces over devolution, the SNP wereexplaining how only Independence can transform people's social and economic circumstances inScotland.

Another major step forward was the publication the 'Transition to Independence WorkingGroup' recommendations. This independent body of academics and others explained in detailthe smooth process by which Scotland could become an independent country after an SNPelectoral victory and a referendum at the conclusion of negotiations.

The Election Campaign will not be easy. The whole weight of the British establishment isranged against us, and Labour and Tory alike have a palpable fear of our ideas andachievements. But the SNP will continue to ignore the other parties negative and personalpolitical campaigning and instead concentrate on raising the level of debate in Scotland .

We will not sink to the level of our opponents who indulge in spreading fears and smears. Wewill talk clearly about the issues that really matter to Scots, like the constitution,education, housing, and health. We will seek to have the public debate focus on what isbest for Scotland, and all the things that can only be ours if we chose independence.

On the 1st of January there will be a maximum of 142 days until the General election -and ofcourse election day could come much sooner.

But no matter when Scotland goes to the polls, the SNP will be fighting as hard as possibleto make our country a nation again.

I ask you to support us in that task in whatever way you can.

Bliadhna Mhath Ur

Alex Salmond MP
Leader
Scottish National Party

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Alex Salmond is the Member ofParliament for Banff & Buchan and is leader of the SNP. An economist aged 42 , he is widely regarded as one of the most effective Scottish politicans of his generation.

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If you would like to know more about the SNP and HELP SCOTLAND contact snp.hq@snp.org.uk or visit the official the Scottish National Party web site.

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