It is not unrealistic to expect a country of Scotland's wealth to take children out of povert

John Swinney

He said that in the 16 months between now and the Scottish Parliament elections in 2003 he would have "three main priorities: children, children, children".

"If policies to improve the life-chances of Scotland's children are to be the test of who should form the next government in Edinburgh, it is a contest I look forward to with relish," he told party colleagues.

He claimed that the Scottish Executive had a two-part strategy for combating child poverty - setting a target then crossing its fingers and hoping for the best.

"Labour is failing to give thousands of Scots children the opportunities in life that a country of our vast wealth should be offering," he said.

Independent Scotland

"However, the power to make a real difference to child poverty rests not here in Scotland but in Westminster.

"The Scottish government can set all the targets it likes - but it simply does not have control over the policies that determine whether or not those targets are met."

He claimed that an independent Scotland would set ambitious targets - and have the ability to meet them.

"It is not unrealistic to expect a country of Scotland's wealth to take children out of poverty.

"The Scandinavian countries can do it. With the powers of independence, so could we," he said.