LAST Thursday saw Alex Salmond take part in his last First Minister's Questions.

He has been a major figure in Scottish politics for a long time now, and as a public servant we should respect that service.

But that does not mean that we let him or the SNP off the hook for decisions his Government have made.

In the last seven years the number of teachers in Scottish schools has fallen by 4000.

Every day children are in danger of being sent home from school because of a lack of teachers, and those most in need of extra support are just not getting it.

The number of students going to college has fallen by 140,000 in the past seven years. That's 140,000 fewer people getting extra skills to give them a better future.

And in recent years the number of Scottish students in our universities has also fallen by 12,000, with a drop of more than 3000 students from the poorest background.

How can we build a high-skill, high-wage, high-employment economy when we are not even getting the foundations right now?

WHEREVER you look the SNP are putting up barriers to success.

Whether that is by cutting the number of teachers in our schools, in cutting college places or by cutting the number of Scottish students going to university, they are letting down Scots.

And in seven years of government they have failed to introduce a single progressive policy. Not one policy aimed at redistributing wealth from the richest in society to those in greatest need.

That is why the General Election next year is a choice. It's a choice between more of the same under the Tories and SNP, or real change under Labour.

The choice is between David Cameron who will cut tax for the rich or Labour who will tax the bankers to introduce a jobs guarantee for young people.

The choice is between the Tories and SNP who united to vote down the Living Wage or Labour who will support companies to make sure every worker gets a wage they can live on.

And Labour will reintroduce a 50p tax rate for people earning over £150,000.

Alex Salmond was never able to bring himself or persuade his party to support this policy. Like the Tories, the SNP want to cut tax for big business.

Labour will abolish the Bedroom Tax, end the abuse of zero-hours contracts and freeze energy bills of every household. This is real change only Labour can deliver for everyone across the UK.

Every vote for an SNP candidate is a vote to help elect David Cameron.

Every vote for a Labour candidate is a vote to help elect a Labour Government.

Every Labour MP means a voice speaking up for Labour values delivered across the whole of the UK.

It's clear. If you want a Labour Government then you have to vote Labour.