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services the collective pride of our nation...
Chancellor Gordon Brown MP writes for SiU
I have said before that at their best, public services
are founded on values greater than material, they are founded
on the ethics of compassion, duty and service.
I have seen this ethic of public service at work. I have
seen doctors and nurses who show not only exceptional skills
and professionalism but also extraordinary care and friendship.
Carers whose unbelievable compassion and support can transform
despair into hope, home helps and support staff whose dedication,
commitment and humanity show that there are values far beyond
those of contracts, markets and exchange, showing that public
services can be a calling and not just a career.
So we are not isolated individuals, we depend on each other
not out of weakness but because it is by the strength of
common endeavour that we achieve more.
With Labour, health spending has doubled, education spending
has doubled, transport spending has doubled and social services
spending has doubled. But we have much more to do.
Labour's long term goal is to match investment with reforms
so that you can deliver world class services. Ten years
ago under the Tories, 75 percent of all new public spending
went on paying debt interest. Under Labour, 75 percent of
new money goes to hospitals, schools and the other essential
services that you deliver. The Tories on the other hand
boast about reductions in spending of £35 billion.
Their parent's passport - to boost private education -
their patient's passport - to boost private health - will
take money out of public services and promote the cause
of the few against the many. Their cuts can only be made
by cutting deep into Scotland's public services.
The Tories do not understand what our public services really
are and why ordinary people care so much about them. Labour
will not rest until our public services are an example to
the world and the collective pride of our nation.
It is vital now that we have confidence in our achievements.
Yes there is more to do, but if we have the confidence in
our values we will build a progressive consensus of prosperity
and justice for all.
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