Russell Findlay speech ahead of Scottish Parliament return
The Scottish Parliament must become more accountable to regain the trust of a disillusioned public, Russell Findlay has said.
In a speech in Glasgow, the Scottish Conservative leader accused the SNP of presiding over a ‘performative parliament’ and running a government machine stacked with ‘obedient yes men and women’ to avoid proper scrutiny.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Holyrood was supposed to bring decision-making closer to the people, but it’s never felt more remote.
“The SNP have nurtured an obedient machinery of state to do their bidding. These yes men and women run Scotland’s vast and powerful public sector.
“Contentious issues at Holyrood are often subject to what amounts to superficial scrutiny.
“Public sector witnesses to parliamentary committees are given free rein to waffle uninterrupted.
“Ministerial statements to parliament on big topical issues are usually laughably light on detail, and when SNP ministers are exposed as incapable – or downright dishonest – they suffer no consequences.
“As for SNP backbenchers who routinely read out scripted questions handed to them from their own government, they ought to be ashamed. I’ve seen jellyfish with more spine.
“The inconvenient truth is that Holyrood has become little more than a performative parliament.
"A parliament that panders to a government which uses every sneaky trick to evade scrutiny.
“We need a radical overhaul of transparency and accountability. Transparency is not a luxury. Accountability is not optional.”
Full text of speech (check against delivery):
The Scottish Parliament returns from recess next week.
I said the Scottish Parliament returns from recess next week!
But do people in the real world even know when Holyrood is sitting?
I’d bet that most don’t know the names of their MSPs or what they get up to.
The place has become irrelevant to most Scots.
There’s no doubt that the parliament is a busy place.
But being busy is not the same as being productive.
What happens at Holyrood is often a waste of time and taxpayers’ money.
It fixates on fringe issues that the majority don’t care about.
Yes, I’m thinking of the SNP’s bizarre obsession with gender self-ID.
It wastes time on problems beyond its remit.
Yes, I’m thinking of puffed-up MSPs who wag their fingers at the world.
And when the Scottish Parliament does focus on the right things, it spends vast sums on poor outcomes.
Yes, I’m thinking of the SNP’s disastrous handling of the NHS, schools, ferries … frankly, it’s a big list.
Holyrood was supposed to bring decision-making closer to the people.
But it's never felt more remote.
I heard that over summer in various places I visited.
Businesses are getting screwed by government who make life more difficult with a relentless barrage of rules and regulations.
People are sick of being told what to do by politicians who t
