Ash Regan thanks those working over holidays in Christmas message
The Alba Party Holyrood leader also welcomed the significant strides the party has made in 2024, including growing our team with new members, establishing Alba's presence at Holyrood with preparing legislation, committee work, and chamber contributions, and polling and election vote share moving in the right direction for our upcoming 2026 election campaigning. 2025 is our opportunity to take things to the next level: together.
In her Christmas message to Alba Party members and the people of Scotland, Ash paid special thanks to the "people across Scotland for whom Christmas will not be a holiday." The Alba Party Holyrood leader praised those who look after others, including emergency services, NHS, hospice, unpaid carers and care home workers, and everyone working in the hospitality industry and in essential operational roles over Christmas.
Ash says her party is entering the Christmas period "on a high," having already secured a new universal Scottish winter fuel payment for one million Scots as part of budget negotiations. Alba Party is confident that its call for free school meals for all primary school children will be answered in the new year budget.
Ash said in a statement released on Christmas Eve:
"I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. And I want to thank the many people across Scotland who will work on Christmas Day and have been working throughout the entire holiday period."
"This includes our NHS workers, carers, transport, members of the armed forces, and the many people who continue to work in key operational roles over the period. But I want also to pay tribute to hospitality workers across Scotland. The festive hospitality we enjoy across venues wouldn't exist without them, and where would we be without our retail workers managing the Christmas rush for presents, party outfits and Christmas fayre, so to those on the other side of shop counters, hotels, bars and restaurants serving the public: thank you."
"Alba Party have a big year ahead, but we can also celebrate what we have achieved this year. Unsurprisingly, any party I lead in the Scottish Parliament continues to stand up for and defend women's and girls' rights, safety, dignity, and privacy. My 'Unbuyable' members bill to change the law on prostitution as a critical first step in tackling the societal attitudes underpinning male violence against women achieved cross-party support to proceed three days after the consultation ended. Alba has led the charge in standing up for North Sea oil and gas workers, including saving the Grangemouth refinery from closure and has pushed back on the disastrous anti-growth UK Labour budget with a brutal Employer NIC hike which punishes our high volume employers in public service, third sector and business."
"We have worked consistently and constructively with the Scottish Government, pursuing common ground on the upcoming budget. Thanks to this approach, we have secured a new Scottish winter fuel payment for close to a million Scots and greater support for the most vulnerable pensioners this winter. Alba Party are also leading the campaign for free school meals for all primary school children to be included in the final budget. There is much to be done but also much to be thankful for in what we have achieved this year - particularly given the deep shock and sadness we all faced from the sudden loss of our leader, Alex Salmond."
"So, to everyone working this Christmas, whether in the NHS, as carers, in transport, as members of the armed forces, in key operational roles, or the hospitality industry, thank you for everything. Your dedication and hard work are truly appreciated. And I wish all of you a very happy Christmas."
