John Daly: ‘We must prove again we're party of opportunity'

This change of wording – which might seem innocuous to many – was I believe indicative of the attitude of left-wing politicians in general, as well as being a crucial reminder to Conservatives everywhere as to why we must urgently redouble our efforts to ensure we are back in the game as soon as possible.

It was right that upon stepping down, Rishi Sunak apologised to the nation for our lack of delivery in the post-Brexit years.

READ NEXT:Cost of housing homeless people in hotel rises again in Glasgow

While the pandemic and cost-of-living pressures exacerbated by the war in Ukraine have led to governments across the globe being punished by voters, it would also be disingenuous to deny the impact of voters being sick and tired of the “Tory soap opera”.

That we are the party of the Union is undisputed, it’s there in our name, but where over the last seven years and four Prime Ministers has been the distinct, clear and unambiguous vision of what being a Conservative is in modern Britain.

The dramas and personality politics of the recent past has allowed Labour and particularly the SNP, in Scotland, to paint us as a party unconcerned with the plight of working people.

Despite record spending on the NHS in Scotland, a multi-billion welfare package to protect millions of jobs during Covid and direct assistance to help pay energy bills during the fuel crisis, we have allowed our political opponents to paint us as villains; the party of the privileged few and not the hard-working many.

Why?

Why have we allowed this? In Scotland and across the UK there are millions of working people who trust us with their vote, still. Why have we not been able to encourage others to see what they see?

READ NEXT:St George's Road locals react to Glasgow M8 works

More than ever, we need to articulate a clear and focused message on what Conservatism is all about. We should be engaging with the electorate and showing we are the party which supports the aspirations of individuals and families in education, employment, business and across society.

By supporting the hopes and ambitions of all Scots and by using the levers of government to create an environment for this to happen we can improve the condition of all citizens, putting them in control of their futures. That is real independence.

I spent a career in education working as a teacher and latterly a head teacher in some of Glasgow’s poorest communities. That experience did not change my politics. It informed them. It made me more of a Conservative supporter and voter.

We need to prove again that we are the party of opportunity, enterprise, personal achievement and responsibility.

That is why that phrase of levelling up is so important to Conservatives and anathema to the left.

When the SNP actually use the powers they have at their disposal and introduce policies such as the Scottish Child Payment, then it showcases why devolution exists and can deliver positive change.

However, at the same time as they provide short-term financial remedies for Scottish children, in the longer term, their policies on education, health and drugs have wreaked havoc on young people’s life chances.

They paint Conservatives as uncaring while presiding over the worst attainment figures among our poorest children in years. Interestingly, in Conservative run England, literacy results continue to show huge improvements leaving SNP-run Scotland in the slow lane. Those children achieving better attainment figures will have better life chances and more positive destinations after leaving school.

That is the sort of message we as Conservatives should have been selling at the last election. We want everyone to have the chance to “Be All You Can Be,” as the school I was head teacher of had as our motto.

Conservatives should be about true levelling up; government as a facilitator creates an ethos that provides opportunities and rewards. In doing so we level up the entire population. That is true Conservatism in action.