However, 'to everything there is a season' - a time to say 'no' and a time to say 'yes'. Faced with the General Election I am happy to be saying 'yes' now - 'yes' to Labour's positive policy offer to the electorate. I remain optimistic even in the face of some dreadful polling for Labour in Scotland because I believe we have a positive message to take to the people over the next few months that Labour is on their side. We are asking people to say 'yes' to the values of a fair society here in Scotland and in the UK; 'yes' to a stronger more effective Scottish Parliament; choosing Labour's jobs guarantee to our young people over the Tories' tax cuts to the rich; Labour's support for the Living Wage; an end to the abuse of zero hours contracts; a freeze on energy bills for every household.
Sometimes you've got to say 'no' but it's great to be able to say 'yes' again. After the stark choice of the referendum ballot paper it's going to seem mundane to be faced with a list of names and party labels on May 7th. But if you close your eyes you will see clearly that it really says, 'Should Scotland kick the Tories out and help elect a Labour Government - Yes or No?'