From Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson
"Can I wish everybody a very Happy New Year.
"And can I offer a special thanks to all the NHS staff
and the police officers and the emergency services who haven't had a good break
over the last few days and instead have been working to keep the country
ticking over. I hope you get a well-earned rest soon.
"Of course, this is traditionally the time of year when
we say out with the old and welcome in the new.
"And given the rocky year we’ve just been through, I
suspect many of us will be hoping that’s the case more than ever.
"2016 will go down as one of those years when the world
felt that it shifted a little on its axis. It became a different, often more
troubling place.
"Change can often be good – necessary even; but some
change can be unsettling too.
"So my hope for 2017 is that we see a little more
stability and moderation.
"That applies right across the world – but it applies
here at home too.
"People don’t expect governments to do everything for
them. But they do expect them to make life a little easier.
"So, here in Scotland, that means we need to focus not
on creating further division and instability; but on improving services and
supporting business to get our economy moving again - to help families who are
struggling to get by.
"My commitment for this coming year is to do everything
I can to make sure that happens.
"To all of you here at home, and to Scots right across
the world celebrating this evening - all
the very best for the coming year."
