LAST week, for the first time in 14 years, I heard a Prime Minister address Labour Party conference.

In his speech, our new Prime Minister set out the purpose of this new Labour Government: national renewal. After 14 years of chaos and decline under the Tories, our public services are in desperate need of revival. I was pleased to hear the Prime Minister confirm that is exactly what we will deliver.

This is a massive task and will take time – but the work has already begun: the ban of onshore wind has been lifted, Great British Energy launched, and the first steps taken to return our rail services to public ownership. I have been proud to support these measures in Parliament.

It was also important to hear a Prime Minister say there is no place for racism in this country, especially after the awful riots we saw in England and Northern Ireland this summer.

At conference, I was also given the opportunity to speak alongside the British Red Cross on a panel about how we shape the Home Office’s priorities under this new Government. Over 40 people have tragically died attempting to cross the Channel this year already. Fixing this problem, saving those lives and building an immigration system that works will take careful policymaking.

From law and order, to immigration, to fixing our struggling economy, we now have a UK Government ready to act on these important issues and take the tough decisions required. But here in Scotland, Anas Sarwar has made clear that the job is only half-done. Public services, controlled by the Scottish Government, have stagnated over the past 17 years. One in six Scots is stuck on an NHS waiting list, and council budgets, already depleted, face cuts year-on-year.

We see the impact of Scottish Government incompetence all over Musselburgh. So many people have told me of their long waits for an ambulance, struggles to get a GP appointment, worries about anti-social behaviour, or difficulty in getting a home they can afford.

While our new Government will make funding available to help begin fixing these issues, the SNP must use it wisely, not make further cuts to Musselburgh’s public services. I will be holding their feet to the fire to make sure this is done.