The Tory leadership race is down to the last two contenders.
Rishi Sunak says he’ll put the UK onto a crisis footing and will tackle the five “emergencies” the UK faces.
Liz Truss says that the past twenty years of Westminster economic policy "hasn't delivered growth" and "the United Kingdom is projected to head for a recession".
You wouldn’t think from their statements in this leadership campaign that the Conservatives have been in Government in the UK now for 12 years, or that both Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak had served in the most senior Government offices during that time.
You wouldn’t imagine either from the things they both say now that they had served under and defended Boris Johnson throughout his time in office, right up until just a few short weeks ago, but of course they have.
While Sunak resigned, Truss still serves in one of the great offices of state, Foreign Secretary, under the caretaker Prime Minister still squatting in Downing Street.
So it rings hollow when both Sunak and Truss say that somehow, magically, they have now got the bright new solutions for a fresh start.
Nothing could be further from the truth – their fingerprints are all over the failed state of British politics today, and their prospectus of tax cuts for their pals and doubling down on Brexit will only serve to drag the economy further into the mire.
None of this will go any way to tackle the cost-of-living crisis or the climate emergency; these fundamental challenges have barely been spoken about in the contest.
The “blue on blue” attacks of the televised leadership hustings and the briefings to the media have exposed the Conservatives for their incompetence in Government and their lack of policies.
Party officials behind the scenes must have been watching from behind the sofa as the Prime Ministerial candidates tore strips off one another. And yet, watching this, the Labour Party still fail to land blows. I’m not sure how anyone of a unionist persuasion can think any of this is good for their cause.
Neither candidate has offered much for Scottish voters – Rishi Sunak, when asked if he’d spend more time in Scotland, paused for thought and then rattled on about Darlington. Definitely not in Scotland, but oddly the best he could come up with under pressure. Liz Truss has joined Sunak in firmly ruling out an independence referendum.
Neither of these Prime Ministerial hopefuls have a democratic mandate in the rest of the UK, and certainly not in Scotland. The Scottish people have now voted in successive elections for parties which support independence, while the Tories have put their opposition to a referendum at the centre of their campaigns and been defeated every time.
The UK is lagging behind other countries - with the worst growth, productivity, poverty and inequality of our European neighbours.
The answer to decades of Westminster failure is not more of the same. The only way to keep Scotland safe from the damage of Westminster control is to become an independent country, with the powers needed to escape Brexit and build a fair and prosperous future.
Drugs report must be adopted
The Scottish Government’s Drug Deaths Taskforce published their final report last week, with wide ranging proposals to be taken forward.
The Taskforce’s 20 recommendations and 139 action points speak to the complexity of dealing with this long-standing public health issue.
I very much hope all of these will be taken on board. As much as we would all want the trauma of drug addiction to be solved overnight, it will take a great deal of concerted effort across all sectors and at all levels to make this happen.
I’ve witnessed how families have had to fight to get care for their loved ones, as well as seeing the inspiring work of recovery communities and campaigners.
There are many who work in supporting those with addictions who give so much. It’s very clear from the report, however, that what’s available is a patchwork, and there must be more coordination and, as the report calls for “no wrong door and holistic support”.
The barrier of stigma to accessing support and treatment is well set out in the report. It is a challenge to all of us who speak on this to ensure we do so without placing further barriers in the way of those who need support.
I’ve been forthright about the need for changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act and in particular the need for supervised drug consumption facilities. I’m glad that this is included as part of the recommendations of the report, and I’ll continue to press for change at Westminster. The evidence is clear on how this can help reduce harm and save lives.
Most of all, I hope that across the political spectrum, we can all accept and adopt the Taskforce report – and set about the task of implementing rather than arguing. We owe all of those who have lost loved ones so much better than that.
Wishing 'Well all the best
The Motherwell fans were in fine form on Thursday night, with a colourful display in the streets and the stands ahead of the game. Unfortunately, the team didn’t quite match the performance. I have my fingers crossed for better from the Steelmen in the away leg at Sligo Rovers.
Alison Thewliss is the SNP MP for Glasgow Central
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