Scottish Liberal Democrats were proud to deliver our pledge of free nursery places for 3 and 4 year olds. It was the right thing to do to give our children the best possible start in life. But there is more that we can and must do to support children and families. Research shows that society sees a return of around £7 for every £1 invested in early years provision through better educated children, a more skilled workforce, better health and less crime.

That’s why we want to see:

• more investment in early years education.
• every two year old have access to a free place in a local playgroup if their parents wish one.
• more learning through play.
• support for parents and families.

Nothing else has the power of education to inspire people and to equip them to reach their potential. We reject the English reform in education that trumpet excellence in city academies yet involve just 0.1% of English schools. Scotland’s education has a great reputation across the world and we should never settle for second best. We should never rest in our passion to do more. We want to give headteachers and teachers more powers and more support to lead their schools to better attainment.

That’s why we want to see:

• the best headteachers moving to new schools and fresh challenges every 5 or 7 years so they can use their skills to transform poorly achieving schools.
• smaller class sizes and more teachers so pupils get the personal attention they need.
• a culture of zero tolerance of violence in the classroom with abuse of teachers by pupils or parents treated far more seriously.
• an exciting new curriculum rolled out across Scotland’s schools.

Liberal Democrat values are increasingly shared by young people: passionate about the environment; determined to see urgent action across Africa; opposed to the war in Iraq and the terrible events in Lebanon and Gaza. Scottish Liberal Democrats are determined to focus on the positive contribution that young people make. We must devote more energy to developing and helping young people – not demonising and blaming them. We want to do more for young people: capturing their imagination, sparking their enthusiasm, giving them a voice, listening to their views, getting them involved. If we can inspire young people, give them the creativity and the confidence to challenge what they see and to dream great things, then they will have the power to influence their own lives, their own futures.

That’s why we want to see:

• the introduction of a Future of Scotland Bill to give young people new rights to decision making across Scotland and better access to new opportunities.
• every child entitled to two weeks of outdoor activity during their time at secondary school and new investment in clubs offering sport, leisure, music, art and environmental activities during evenings, weekends and school holidays.
• our schools transformed into community hubs where everyone can have access to world class facilities that are in use, for everyone’s benefit, all day and every weekend.
• action to give young people a real say with Youth Councils, YouthBanks and a new Young Opportunity Fund to make young people’s priorities happen in communities across Scotland.