A Week In Parliament

The Visit

Boris Johnson has visited Scotland. We are so privileged! Of course, as Prime Minister of the UK, he is entitled to visit. The key questions are why and what did he achieve? There is no doubt it is political because the opinion polls for a few months are showing support for independence at 54%. His choice of destination was Orkney. Given the island communities are still sensitive about the threat of Covid-19, choosing Orkney was irresponsible for a drop-in, knowing the media circus that will follow.

To be fair to Boris Johnson – “Minister for the Union” – he has long had an interest in Scotland. Unfortunately, his interest has been a disparaging one. In 2005, when explaining why Gordon Brown should not be Prime Minister he stated: “…but mainly because he is a Scot…”In the Daily Telegraph in 2001, he wrote that “There will come a time when the Scots will discover that personal care for the elderly is too expensive. And they will come, cap in hand to Uncle Sugar in London. And when they do, I propose that we tell them to hop it”.

In 2004, as editor of the Spectator, he published a poem which called the Scots “a verminous race” that should be “exterminated”.

In 2012, when it was being agreed a referendum would be held for Scottish Independence, Johnson stated that “A pound spent in Croydon is of far more value to the country than a pound spent in Strathclyde”. So, with such a track record, are we really to believe that this man values Scotland within the Union?

Covid-19

As restrictions start to ease, this brings relief to many, especially from a business perspective. I am also aware that those still not allowed to operate become more frustrated. A comparison can always be made to say, “well if pubs are open why cannot “x” be open too?” However, if every business and activity was allowed to open with special Covid-19 measures in place, it would still mean we would effectively be going about our normal activities. It will make any outbreaks and the track and trace required more difficult. It increases the risks of an outbreak. The outbreak within the call centre in Lanarkshire is a good example. If the workers there who were infected were also going to gymnasiums, theatres, nightclubs and allowed to mix freely with whoever they wanted, then the outbreak would not have been so easy to control. I have just checked a rolling seven-day period where Scotland has not had a single confirmed Covid-19 death. England has had close to 500 deaths over the same seven days. So, the Scottish Government must be doing something right.

However, I do think those businesses forced to close for longer periods really do need extra financial support. Many have had zero support since lockdown commenced which is a scandal. It is another gap that the UK Government have failed to address. Let’s hope those businesses survive. I have written to the Chancellor on this matter for urgent support.