There seems to have a lot of discussion recently about Britishness. I see no conflict in between being immensely proud of being Scottish; but who is equally proud to call myself British.
Just like being a staunch Conservative; and an equally committed Unionist.
I am a passionate about the United Kingdom; but believe that the interests of the United Kingdom are best served by making a resounding success of devolution and localism.
The same sentiments were given voice in Glasgow by David Cameron just over a fortnight ago when he re-stated his Unionist convictions in the clearest terms.
Every part of the United Kingdom is important to this Conservative Party.
Next year will see two landmark events in the history of Scotland and the Union.
First, 2007 will be the three hundredth anniversary of the Union itself.
For some – those separatists who wish to tear the Union apart – it will no doubt become a focus for them to renew their efforts.
But for most of us it will be a time for celebration – to look back on the great things that we have achieved together under the British Flag, and to look ahead as One Nation.
It will, though, also be a time for Unionists to ask some difficult questions – not least about how we promote the continuing relevance of the Union today, both for Scotland and for England.
Let me be clear – I am in no doubt whatsoever about the importance of the Union. To me, the historical, the cultural and economic arguments, in addition to the national interest, all lead to one conclusion.
But I acknowledge there are others who take a different view.
A recent poll in Scotland showed a significant number of Scots now favouring independence than the status quo.
I don’t for a moment think that one poll should send us into a panic – it probably tells us as much about the state of dissatisfaction with the record of the Labour/Lib Dem Government in Edinburgh, as it does about the public’s lack of understanding of Scottish governance.
And, of course, there is a perception among some in England who feel that the relationship with Scotland has become one sided in favour of the Scots.
As David Cameron said in Glasgow, the so-called West Lothian Question is a problem.
Most Scots agree with him. They have no desire for their MPs to impose unpopular measures on England.
As Built to Last states, we are committed to finding a “constructive Unionist” response to the West Lothian Question.
That is why David has asked Ken Clarke’s Democracy Task Force to look at possible solutions.
In David’s own words: ‘We should address the asymmetrical nature of the current arrangements in a calm and considered fashion.’
But while the West Lothian Question is a problem, it is not a tragedy. It is not the only, or even the dominant, question in Scottish politics. Scots like everybody else in the United Kingdom are concerned about health, education, jobs, pensions and the environment. These are the issues they want us to be talking about.
The other major event for in Scotland next year is of course the third set of elections to the Scottish Parliament.
Let us be clear. These are not just Scottish elections. Like the elections to the National Assembly in Wales, they are national elections.
They are elections that will affect the daily lives of millions of our people.
So they are crucially important for Scotland, for the United Kingdom, and for the Conservative Party.
Of course there was a time, not so very long ago, when the Conservative Party dominated Scottish politics. Today, I am its only Conservative MP. And out of 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament, only 17 are Conservative.
So we have to do better – beginning with the elections next May.
And under Annabel Goldie’s leadership in Scotland that is precisely what Scottish Conservatives are determined to do…
By making clear our commitment to devolution and to making the Holyrood Parliament deliver for the people of Scotland.
By redoubling our efforts to promote the importance of the Union.
By exposing the failures of the Labour/Liberal Democrat Coalition Government in Scotland where…
… the gap between the rich and the poor is widening…
… hospital waiting times are going up…
… a crime is committed every two minutes…
… council tax has increased by 60 per cent…
… manufacturing employment is down 100,000
… and farm incomes are down by a third in the past year.
The Scottish Executive Labour/Liberal Democrat Coalition is failing to address these problems, and after 7 years of the Scottish Parliament we need it to start working as the people of Scotland want it to and empower local communities and local people.
That means, as David Cameron has said, talking about what matters to people in Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and making the Conservatives a voice for the mainstream majority in Scotland.
We will be putting forward a set of positive, distinctive Scottish Conservative policies that will address the real concerns and issues facing people living in Scotland.
We have a great opportunity in Scotland next May.
To begin the revival of Conservatism.
To build the momentum to take us into the next General Election at Westminster.
And, above all, to continue to strengthen the bonds that unite the United Kingdom in which all of us so strongly believe.