2 Apr 2017
Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP Government is set to become the first administration since devolution not to have a passed a single substantive bill in the year following their election, new figures show today.
In further evidence of how she has ignored the day job in pursuit of a 2nd referendum on independence, Ms Sturgeon’s government’s only legislative act so far since last May’s election has been to pass a Budget – a legal requirement.
By this point in the parliamentary cycle, both the 1999 and 2003 devolved governments had passed four bills.
By contrast, this SNP Government has spent a total of 43 hours debating either Brexit or Independence – and has delayed its flagship education bill.
It comes as Nicola Sturgeon plans to step up her focus on constitutional politics, by threatening to derail Brexit legislation, and outlining further efforts to stage a second referendum.
This is despite the fact that said that education would be “number one priority”.
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said:
“The SNP once said of its opponents that they wouldn’t be able to deliver a pizza, never mind a parliament.
“That turned out to be wrong. But now they’re in charge, it seems Nicola Sturgeon would struggle to pass the salt, never mind pass a bill.
“It is a disgrace. Nicola Sturgeon promised to prioritise our children’s education. Instead, she’s dumped that pledge in order to focus on the SNP’s only priority – splitting our country in two.
“She has become a part-time First Minister, and full-time nationalist activist.
“Instead of a competent government, we have a chaotic administration which has back-tracked on education, u-turned on the economy, and put up taxes on job creators.
“The threat of a second referendum will further damage Scotland’s reputation. It is time Nicola Sturgeon got back to the day job and delivered.”
LEGISLATION PASSED IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT SESSIONS
Bills passed by the Scottish Parliament (completing Stage 3) by the 1 April in the year following a Scottish Parliament election. Dates included are of Stage 3 completing rather than Royal Assent. Budget Acts are not included.
Following 1999 election
| Mental Health (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Act 1999 | 8 September 1999 |
| Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 | 1 December 1999 |
| Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2000 | 15 March 2000 |
| Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 | 29 March 2000 |
Following 2003 election
| Education (School Meals) (Scotland) Act 2003 | 11 June 2003 |
| Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm (Navigation and Fishing) (Scotland) Act 2003 [Private Bill] | 26 June 2003 |
| Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004 | 18 December 2003 |
| Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 | 4 March 2004 |
Following 2007 election
| Abolition of Bridge Tolls (Scotland) Act 2008 | 20 December 2007 |
| Graduate Endowment Abolition (Scotland) Act 2008 | 28 February 2008 |
Following 2011 election
| Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 | 14 December 2011 |
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