Making a Difference at Westminster:

"The next general election, whenever Gordon Brown has the courage to call it, looks like it will be a close run affair.  There is a real chance there could be a hung parliament.  The larger the SNP group that we send to Westminster, the greater will be our leverage to extract the best deal for Scotland and for specific areas like the Borders.”

“SNP MPs do not have to reconcile any conflict of interest in fighting Scotland's corner.  We can and will represent our constituents' interests unfettered by concerns about how it will play across the UK.  Uniquely, unlike all other parties, we don't formulate policy based upon worries about the reaction among the chattering classes in London constituencies, such as Finchley or Islington. We will always do what is in the best interests of Scotland."  

"Labour’s only interest in Scotland is how many backwoodsmen is can provide to vote through unpopular policies and how much it can milk our Scotch whisky and oil and gas industries for revenue, as well as somewhere to park nuclear submarines.  The Lib Dems and Tories are working with Labour to thwart Scotland's aspirations for self-government at Westminster and Holyrood. They like to keep and talk Scotland down at every opportunity.  This hardly surprising given they are also London run parties wishing to maintain the Westminster gravy-train in order to retain power over our country and her resources.  However, with your help, we can ensure the people of Scotland will prevail."

The SNP – providing ‘can do’ government for a ‘can do’ country:  

"The SNP has seen its popularity grow steadily as it has taken the helm of the Scottish Government, and Alex Salmond's inspirational and astute leadership as First Minister of that Government has confounded many hardened sceptics. We are a party that is ambitious for Scotland and all her people.”

“Due to a proactive, SNP Scottish Government, we have seen the hated Council Tax frozen and we aim to bring forward legislation for its abolition and replacement with a fair system of local income tax, which will take account of the ability to pay, with most households better off.  The establishment of the Small Business Bonus will from April 2009 completely remove the financial burden posed by business rates from the majority of the small businesses upon which the Borders economy depends. Prescription charges are being reduced and, by 2011, they will be completely free, while car parking charges at hospitals are to be abolished.  .”

“After 8 years of dithering by Labour and Lib Dems, under the SNP funding for the Waverley Line has now been committed and advance utilities works are to be accelerated.  After 18 months, the SNP Government have brought forward the most ambitious legislation in the World designed to address climate change, and has received praise from the UN for doing so.  The £10 million Saltire Prize, the only open prize in the World designed to reward those who can produce the World’s first commercial wave or tidal power technology, has been hailed by New Scientist and the EU as an example of how a small country can make a large impact in tackling global challenges. But it is good common sense too – we have 25% of all of Europe’s reliable wave and tidal power potential; enough to meet our energy needs 10 times over, offering local industry a secure energy supply and still earn much needed export income.”

We are seen, by the fair minded majority, as a can do party, delivering a can do Government, for a can do country. Only the three patronising British unionist/British nationalist parties are telling Scotland and the Scots that they can't do this or that. Until such time as the people of Scotland choose to throw off the UK straightjacket, it is essential that our great nation is represented by MPs who will always champion Scotland’s best interests and keep in check those opponents who are more interested in power for its own sake."

Can We Win?

"I am often asked: “Can you win?”  The Lib Dems and Tories will obviously seek to portray that only one of them can win the Westminster seat, with the perennial call that it’s a "two-horse race".  This is nonsense.  Let us not forget that more people did not turn out to vote than voted for both those parties put together.  Any candidate who wins the argument can win the day.  We will be working to energise all those who feel disenfranchised by the big, British unionist/nationalist parties. Our young people and those who feel they are ignored over issues like climate change, the Iraq war, or their own future prosperity deserve proper representation."

"The SNP has moved on massively since 2005, with membership rising by 37% since December 2005 to reach 15,000 members by October 2008, gathering members from all other parties and those with no previous party allegiance.  We made history in May, giving Labour its first electoral defeat in more than 40 years, during the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections and we continue to build upon those fantastic results, e.g. in Glasgow East, which was thought a ‘safe Labour seat’.  Even where we have not won the day, such as in Glenrothes, the SNP vote increased by almost 50%.” 

In 2007, Christine Grahame only narrowly missed out on Scottish Parliament seat covering the Selkirkshire and Lauderdale areas, and won 33% of the vote in the process.  At the same time, a strong showing in Roxburgh & Berwickshire was recorded with the voters delivering 21% of votes to the SNP on the list vote - our highest yet and almost pushing the Lib Dems into third place.  Labour's vote has collapsed.  Yet the Lib Dems and Tories pretend that nothing has changed since 2005. I wonder why?  Well, more fool them!"

"The SNP has 6 councillors on Scottish Borders Council, five of whom represent areas within this constituency.  In the Council elections, we scored almost 20% of the vote, not 9%.  If less than one in ten voters join those of us who voted SNP in 2007, we can beat both the Tories and the Lib Dems.  So to those who ask: "can you win?" we say a resounding "Yes, we can.”…If we win, you win.