JUST before FMQs on Thursday, we learnt that Ian Blackford plans to stand down as SNP group leader at Westminster.
This is bad news for all the Tory MPs who enjoyed using Blackford’s appearances at PMQs as an excuse to relive the days when they were the top bully at Eton.
For the last few years, every time Blackford has gotten to his feet the Tory backbenches have let out a loud groan. This is always followed by a ripple of smug laughter at their own brilliance and quick-wit.
The battle to replace Ian Blackford will be interesting to say the least.
The SNP group at Westminster currently comprises of a series of warring factions - a bit like your average family Christmas dinner but without the tearful apologies at the end of the night.
If Nicola Sturgeon was in any way stressed about the upcoming loss of Blackford from her leadership team, she hid it well.
It was a punchy FMQs all round, which I suspect might be directly related to the fact that it’s now December and blood sugar levels are spiking.
Anas Sarwar will have been feeling particularly confident going into the session after scooping the Scottish Politician of the Year award recently.
Apparently, the reason he was chosen as winner was because he has managed to revive Scottish Labour’s electoral fortunes.
I’d like to see the data is all I’m saying.
He asked the First Minister about a documentary looking at the availability of breast cancer chemotherapy at NHS Tayside.
He said the service in the area has collapsed and women’s lives are being put at risk.
The First Minister disagreed with his assessment.
“Anas Sarwar is wrong to describe the Tayside service as having collapsed”, she said.
“There are around 150 new patients referred to Tayside breast services every week. Out of them, around seven will receive treatment in another centre. It is just wrong – shamefully wrong – to use the word ‘collapsed’ to describe a service in which doctors are working in a dedicated fashion and which many patients are being treated every single week.”
“There are zero breast cancer oncologists at NHS Tayside, if zero doesn’t equate to collapse then I’m not sure what definition the First Minister would use”, replied Anas Sarwar.
“First Minister, you are in charge of the NHS in Scotland, and you have been for fifteen years. How long do Scots have to wait before you get to grips with this crisis and do your JOB?”
“I am in charge, as head of this government, of the National Health Service”, began Nicola Sturgeon.
“Which is why I understand that running the NHS and resolving challenges and problems in the NHS requires more than glib soundbites in the chamber. And as they have been throughout the entirety of the 15 years my party has been in government, the people of Scotland will be the ultimate – and only – judge of whether or not this government is trusted to continue with its stewardship of the NHS.”
