SNP-Greens a 'disgrace' for using last week in Holyrood to debate independence
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The SNP-Green government has been slammed for debating independence again during limited Scottish Parliament business time before the recess starts this week.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston described the move as a “disgrace” when the chamber could have been used to debate A9 dualling, ferries, the need for new hospitals, pressure on GPs and dentists and how to help the NHS.
He said: "It is utterly ridiculous that, once again, the SNP and Greens are prioritising their political obsession with independence over all the other things we could – and should - be using this important chamber time to cover.
“With the dualling of the A9 kicked into the long grass and our ferries network in crisis, we could have been debating transport. With the need for new hospitals in Fort William and Lerwick, improved services on Skye, and pressure on GPs and dentists right across the Highlands and Islands, we could have been debating health issues and how to deliver the NHS we need.
“With our farmers and crofters waiting for clarity over future support for the sector, we could have been debating agriculture and rural issues. Or how to support our coastal communities, not threaten their futures with a blanket approach to HPMAs.
“And we could have spent the time looking at ways to support families through the cost of living crisis and the difficult time many are having finding a home and heating it.
"But rather than using this valuable parliamentary time to address the needs of Scotland, the SNP and Greens will spend it on their stuttering campaign for independence and trying to justify Humza Yousaf's new 100k taxpayer-funded Minister for Independence."
He added: "Their endless constitutional navel-gazing is a waste of time and energy that families across the Highlands and Islands simply cannot afford."
The SNP has only just concluded its Independence Convention in Dundee and on Tuesday discussed a motion introduced by MSP Angus Robertson on the publication of "Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland".
That paper launched by First Minister Humza Yousaf on June 19 and calls for a post-independence convention to develop a permanent constitution that would be considered by Holyrood and put to the people in a referendum.
Mr Yousaf argued that a constitution would "protect the right to take industrial action" for workers and set out "provisions on the right to adequate housing, the right of communities to own land, or our right as citizens to access healthcare which is free at the point of need."
He said: "In the Scottish Government's view, it should also include provisions stating very clearly and explicitly that Scotland will not host nuclear weapons."
