I SUSPECT that scunnered, a very good word, is being overused at the moment! But are we surprised at the revelations regarding the PM and his workplace, now better termed party central?

Are we surprised at the tone of that apology when it finally arrived? Attempt to unpack it and you find the classic “Please sir, it wisnae me. The big boys did and ran away!”

In that feeble attempt to “own” the partygate scandal, Johnson offered no sincere apology, but a convoluted distraction. He might be PM – with staff, No 10, that garden – but they, the big boys, did it without his knowledge, involvement and preparation. He’d merely dropped in to chat.

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So where’s the ownership and demonstration of his leadership, his setting standards around accountability, tone, guidance, work ethos and culture within No 10 and government? Obviously lacking, since it’s recorded that he felt it necessary to circulate through the tea room at parliament after PMQs to let his MPs know he was taking the blame for the failures of others.

What good such lacklustre stepping up when it’s too late, when he’s demonstrated not statesmanship but failure to act constructively. It is no surprise that his hubris, that of his hangers-on and the Tory government, all that went to create the golden ticket that gained and initially retained power, is tarnished beyond the application of a bit of Brasso.

But brass neck and Brasso are very evident. Take Douglas Ross (please do – but chances are he’s just got himself an extended leadership pass). He knew his chances at the coming local elections were slim and positively slipping away in the current maelstrom, never mind his failure to threaten the Scottish Government.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson to fire top team over Downing Street party scandal

Hence his moving away from the man denigrating the PM’s office. Tory losses in May will be put firmly at the PM’s door, and Ross will be at his unctuous best telling anyone who’ll listen, “told you so: but you didn’t listen to me in January.” It’s not without possibility that the Tories will be brass-necked enough to try to play the royal card by finding a way to spin for votes and garner support for Her Majesty, as royalists supreme.

But no matter, when the men in grey suits finally do the deed and remove the current PM, this will provide Ross with the opportunity to become the man who saves the Tory party in Scotland, strengthening its position for however long or short a period remains of their precious Union. He’ll be the man to sever the ties with London. Now, that would look good for a lightweight!

READ MORE: Scottish Tories 'in hiding' amid row over Boris Johnson resignation call

Riding it out, as is the fig leaf of waiting for the Sue Gray investigation, will only delay the inevitable. An eventual change in Tory leadership, the continuing stonewalling of independence by whoever is leader at Westminster.

If 2022 is to be remembered as a year of transgressions for the establishment and entitled ones, how will it be for us? If we can’t capitalise on the infighting (of others) and rise above differences, campaign for a majority of pro-indy votes in May, and apply the fervour and dedication of 2013-14, when will we? Are we ready or even prepared to be ready to show why an indy Scotland is better than this shower? How low does the bar have to go?

Selma Rahman
Edinburgh

WE hear that Boris Johnson is going to have a clear-out of his staff at Number 10, as he seeks to transfer all the blame for the repeated breach of Covid regulations on to their shoulders. This means that there are going to be an awful lot of leaving parties for him to attend and have drinks at in the coming weeks.

Gavin Brown
Linlithgow