LAST Thursday I was in Cowdenbeath for polling day in a hard fought by-election.

There's nothing I enjoy more than getting out speaking to voters door-to-door, and it swiftly became clear that there is a growing frustration with an SNP Government that many feel is taking their eye off the ball.

From voting against their own flagship childcare policy in the Scottish Parliament last week, to their claims on EU legal advice and their assertions on the currency, I can see why many voters who tried voting SNP for the first time in 2011 are now thoroughly fed up with them.

Scots are savvy, we don't button up the back, and the people that I was speaking to on the doors in Motherwell North - and in Cowdenbeath at the by-elections last week - are firm in their view: they aren't going to be convinced by Alex Salmond and the SNP's assertions.

With an 11% swing to Labour in Cowdenbeath and a Labour win with 68% in the Motherwell North council by-election on the same day -the 18th council by-election in a row that the SNP have lost - things are not going well for the SNP.

On the referendum, it is clear; Scots are rejecting the uncertain, uncosted promises being offered up by the nationalists.

But this comes down to far more than the referendum.

The cost of living crisis leaves many fearful, and, although some are managing to find work again, unemployment is holding too many people back.

We need local schools that can deliver the very best for our children; and to allow families to achieve the peace of mind that comes from having access to good-quality childcare; being able to rely on world-class healthcare when a loved one is in dire need, and right across Scotland, the need for good-quality housing.

These are issues that people want politicians to deal with.

The SNP's turn-off tactics and negative constitutional politics feels distant from these everyday issues.

And it is because Labour has been the party to understand and address these concerns, to tackle head on the reality of the cost of living crisis while the SNP focus on the who debates who as they argue over the currency and EU membership, that they have decided to put their faith in Labour MSPs and councillors.

But not for a moment will we allow for any complacency.

Despite the progress that has been made by the party under the leadership of Johann Lamont, we know we need work hard to regain the support of the people of Scotland and that we still have ground left to cover.

For Johann and me, politics has never been about just trying to change minds, but about changing lives.

Despite all the hard work in the run-up to an election, it is after polling day that the challenge of trying to change those lives for the better must continue. After the referendum we need the SNP to join the rest of us and get to focusing on the issues that really matter.