WHILE the BBC enjoyed a feeding frenzy on Humza Yousaf’s demise as First Minister – with journalists from across its UK network descending on Scotland to join local reporters for the feast – honest, objective, professional reporting was another significant casualty.
There was no in-depth scrutiny of the hypocritical role of the Tories in scurrilously fermenting the “division and chaos” spouted by Douglas Ross, who claims he wishes to see respectful collaboration at Holyrood and both governments working together while remaining silent as Westminster has not only abandoned the Sewel Convention but introduced and exploited the pernicious UK Internal Market Act. At every opportunity the UK Government, with no mandate from Scotland, has caused “division and chaos” by overriding the authority of the Scottish Parliament in areas previously considered devolved to effectively reduce the powers of Holyrood and diminish the devolution that was overwhelmingly backed by the people of Scotland.
READ MORE: SNP leadership polling finds SNP voters back John Swinney
Except for Channel 4 News questioning why it was acceptable to have a change of First Minister in Wales but not in Scotland, Anas Sarwar was also given a free ride to spout the same anti-SNP propaganda with not one journalist pointing out that on nearly every single measure the SNP is performing better than the Labour Party in Wales (with the people of Wales not enjoying the same levels of social benefits and mitigations of Westminster’s austerity agenda).
Although largely unreported, even the FM’s staunchest critics must admit that he was dignified in his resignation, accepting personal responsibility for his decision-making with no recrimination of those who most would assess as having emotionally over-reacted without the political foresight expected of former government ministers.
READ MORE: Scottish Tories axe confidence vote against Humza Yousaf
One BBC journalist who did not come to the feast due to his recent resignation was being paid more than £400,000 per year, which makes one wonder how much this whole reporting spectacle devoid of non-partisan insight is actually costing taxpayers. But a more significant question raised is: how can we have genuine democracy across the UK, and particularly in Scotland, when even our public broadcaster provides such a slanted perspective on “Scottish news”?
Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian
THE desperate destructive pettiness of the Greens, Labour and of course the Tories at Holyrood has succeeded in one thing and one thing only – showcasing how much talent there is in the SNP ranks.
As in Westminster we went from the erudite and highly capable Ian Blackford – one of the few MPs of any hue to land blows on the sleazy, slippery Johnson – to the exceptionally talented Stephen Flynn. Now, on the very sad resignation of Humza Yousaf, it’s not the case – as it was with The Tories – of scraping the bottom of a dirty, broken barrel but of being spoiled for choice.
READ MORE: SNP source calls for 'deal' between John Swinney and Kate Forbes
As First Minster, Humza Yousaf had an immensely strong act to follow in Nicola Sturgeon, and was partner in a coalition that pulled the party out of shape and then showed its true colours (not green at all) in a knee-jerk willingness to jump into bed with a party only concerned with the very wealthy.
Unlike Labour, the SNP don’t have to go from the never-matured-from-student-politics of Corbyn to the don’t-know-who-I-am of Starmer. Nor do they have to go from mad May to partygate Johnson to lunatic Liz to petulant, out-of-touch, rich boy Sunak.
The next SNP leader will undoubtedly be someone the less Scotland-focused parties should also fear.
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh
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