Scots must act now to protect our democracy.

Scots must act now to protect our democracy and shared values from the rise of the far right.

Since becoming your First Minister I have made it my business to bring people together.

There is a lot that I want to achieve for Scotland – whether that’s eradicating the scourge of child poverty, improving public services like our NHS, raising living standards, or facing the climate emergency head-on.

I know we have all the ingredients we need to be a thriving country, and I want us to pull together. Fundamentally I want to build a Scotland that faces the future with confidence, where everyone feels they have a stake, and where we have the powers we need to reach our potential.

But it’s not hard to see why, for many, the future doesn’t currently feel so bright. We have been living through a global pandemic and are experiencing an unprecedented squeeze on living standards. It feels like society is becoming ever more polarised, and the world around us ever more uncertain.

There have always been those who seek to exploit such fear and anxiety to sow hatred, to demonise minority groups, to spread disinformation and even undermine democracy itself.

None of this anxiety is unique to Scotland. The far right is on the rise across the West – we must not sit back and assume it cannot happen here.

Many organisations across Scotland are on the front line of protecting the rights of individuals, building community cohesion and improving democratic participation – be that our faith groups, trade unions, universities, or charitable organisations.

I want us to pool their knowledge, so this week I will bring them together at a gathering in Glasgow to chart a way forward.

Alongside other political leaders, I want to strengthen our democratic society.

How do we – together – combat inequality and discrimination? How can we tackle disinformation? How do we enhance trust in politics and increase accountability? And how do we improve participation in democracy.

This gathering is the start of an ongoing discussion and I hope it marks a turning point.

It is about us collectively making a stand, reminding ourselves of who we are, and reaffirming that there is far more that unites us than divides us.

If we don’t act now to protect our democracy, and our shared values, then I think we will regret that in the years to come. That’s why I will be bringing people together in Glasgow this week.

Easter reminds us of the triumph of light over darkness

I hope you have all had a peaceful holiday weekend and I am so grateful to everyone who worked to keep us all safe and supported during that time.

The core message of Easter is precious to me – it is about the triumph of light over darkness. In world events in 2025, feeling that light can overcome darkness is perhaps more important than ever.

But it also matters in our individual lives. We can all face tough times. I do. And the feeling that light will overcome darkness helps me, and I hope helps you, to deal with tough times.

Over Easter, it was good to be able to spend some more time than I normally can as First Minister with my family.

During the school holidays, Matthew has added golf to the sports he is keen to play. He already enjoys tennis, cricket and hockey. So – I suppose you could say – golf is just another sport with a club and a ball.

Elizabeth and I watched with admiration as Matthew picked it all up.

It was a reminder to me that in all the comings and goings of political life, nothing is more reassuring than seeing your child happy and thriving.

This article was first published in the Daily Record on the 21st of April 2025.