24/02/2016 Party Political Broadcasts - Liberal Democrats

There are so many things that are really great about being a parent,

there are so many things that are absolutely

terrifying about being a parent.

Being with Georgia and spending time with her,

it's just amazing to see the speed that people learn,

the speed that people develop.

I think our older daughter,

she's a real extrovert.

I can see her doing something that is very expressive,

where she's maybe a little bit in the spotlight.

Katrina definitely wants to be an actress.

She's very focused on that.

Alistair, it kind of changes a wee bit.

Loves his Lego. Gran says he's going to be an engineer.

Being a dad is special.

I want my kids to get the best chance

to be all that they can be

but, as parents, we need a helping hand to allow our kids to succeed,

and that's why I want Scotland

to have the best education system in the world.

Derek and I both work full time so, obviously,

that brings its challenges in terms of arranging childcare,

so we're very fortunate -

we have a very good nursery that both of our children go to.

I think it's really important that we keep investing in education.

You hear it as a throwaway line

but you really are investing in the future and the next generation.

I think everyone can remember

at least one great teacher that they had,

that really opened their eyes in some way,

and I certainly want that same experience for our kids,

and if we support teachers across the board,

I think that becomes much more likely.

We're giving them charge of our child

and they look after our child as we hope we would.

I think you always have to determine what your priorities are.

Education is one of those priorities

and I think it, therefore, is appropriate that we should be

asking people to make an additional contribution.

The bottom line is,

if we don't keep improving the standard of education,

children will suffer.

We can't expect teachers to do their best

unless we support education properly.

We want to invest a penny on income tax for education -

a small investment for a whopping big return of £475 million.

We can invest in a people premium

to give kids extra support at school.

We can expand nursery education

to make sure kids get that vital early education.

And we can also boost the number of places in colleges

so that everybody that wants to study can get

the course that they need.

That will have a transformational effect on education in Scotland

and put us right back up there with the best.

A penny for education would deliver an investment of £475 million.

A penny for education will help get Scotland fit for the future.