21 Mar 2017
The Scottish Parliament has been diverted by a “pointless” two-day debate on independence – when it should be debating on key issues like the NHS and education, the Scottish Conservatives have said today.
The criticism was sparked following the SNP’s decision for Holyrood to spend two days debating whether or not to have a divisive referendum rerun.
It comes amid further evidence that the Nationalist government is ignoring the day job over its own responsibilities.
The debate today comes as:
- For the sixth consecutive month, the NHS failed to meet the 95 per cent waiting time target set out by the Health Secretary Shona Robison.
- Only 54 per cent of muscoskeletal patients have been seen in the four-week target timescale.
- Figures showed that Scots are drinking up to twice as much alcohol as they admit – amplifying Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
- The Scottish Chambers of Commerce warned that that the SNP “needs to begin focusing on mitigating business costs and boosting consumer confidence over the next two years.”
- Reports revealed that the staffing numbers in schools are so low, students may be forced to learn from videos instead of qualified teachers.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said:
“The pointless two-day debate has frustratingly delayed the potential to address issues that are in great need of being discussed.
“The SNP has continuously stated that it is not obsessed with independence, but its actions certainly show otherwise.
“It’s clear people don’t want another referendum, they want a government that spends its every waking hour improving standards across all areas.
“When issues like health and education are crumbling under SNP leadership, Nicola Sturgeon and her party is completely failing Scotland by neglecting these issues and instead focusing on an unwanted referendum.”
A copy of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce release:
http://www.scottishchambers.org.uk/press-policy/press-releases/2017/03/898
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