Abolish the Scottish Parliament and Government

Abolish the Scottish Parliament and Government for the duration of the crisis.

Why the contribution is important

It would make greater sense if there was one nationwide decision-making body comprised of the best people in the UK, chosen from a far deeper talent pool, rather than Scottish Government's separate approach which is being cobbled together by people who appear not to be epidemiologists/bacteriologists, and is contributing to confusion.

This will also get rid of the duplication of effort in the UK, which I, as one of the few private sector income tax payers in Scotland, hate.

The immediate savings from such a move can be ploughed straight into PPE equipment for the NHS and a supply of facemasks for the population.

(As a side benefit, liquidating the Scottish Parliament and going back to the pre-1999 status quo would give our MPs something to do - at present all 59 of them have virtually no authentic case work - that work having been hived off to MSPs - and it is, frankly, a national scandal that we still employ so many of them when they are vastly under-employed compared to their English colleagues.)

by gettysburg on May 06, 2020 at 03:13PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 2.1
Based on: 62 votes

Comments

  • Posted by CAlex May 06, 2020 at 16:27

    I disagree with this as a devolved approach has proven much more successful than a nationwide approach in the handling of the pandemic in many European nations (e.g. Germany). The UK is too diverse for a 'one size fits all' approach.

  • Posted by maryh May 06, 2020 at 16:33

    good idea get rid of the Shortbread Parliament its a total joke, full of 10th rate useless numpties who have never done a days work in their lives, yet think they have the right to dictate to the rest of us how to live out lives. money could be better spent elsewhere as in reducing taxes, also getting very authoritarian in outlook, these idiots should move to North Korea.

  • Posted by Biffster May 06, 2020 at 16:36

    I agree, but would have done so irrespective of the current pandemic emergency.

  • Posted by jriddell May 06, 2020 at 16:37

    This is an international crisis so removing one layer of government won't help. It would be better to ensure Brexit does not happen at the end of the year so we can work together across the continent without arbitrary political borders limiting efforts.

  • Posted by MsW May 06, 2020 at 16:58

    I agree. I don't see the point of divergent strategy and duplicate decision-making with duplicate scientific and medical officers, other than for the purpose of political point-scoring. Not sure that the SG can claim to be right and Westminster wrong given the same strategy has been followed to date.

  • Posted by theweemaverick May 06, 2020 at 17:18

    I couldn't agree less. I do not engage with the information coming from Westminster at all. It has little relevance to my life as it does not speak to the cultural, political or geographical landscape of Scotland as I know it. The information coming out of Edinburgh is accessible, localised, clear and inclusive.

    Bringing power closer to the people whom it affects is more important than ever; taking part in this very consultation is proof of this.

    The NHS in Scotland is devolved. I am glad that Sturgeon takes a four-nation approach; it just makes sense in terms of our proximity - however, I am also heartened to see influence to the Scottish Governments approach from other countries across the Globe. The idea of having been led through this by Westminster is, for me, a frightening and non-sensical concept. If anything, it feels more important than ever to be guided by information generated and governed from as close to home as possible.

  • Posted by GeoC May 06, 2020 at 17:59

    Thank goodness we have the Scottish Parliament at this time. It would be better if it was totally independant and we not have had to have as much of the damage inflicted on us by Westmister

  • Posted by emwpaisley May 06, 2020 at 18:06

    Could not agree more the strategists Ms Sturgeon buoyed up by the happy stay at homers with pay while the country sinks into a black hole ! Maybe she should not have abandoned testing and protected the vulnerable in care homes we would not have had the number of deaths !

  • Posted by kirbag May 06, 2020 at 18:16

    Waste of time comment. Nothing to do with how to help the global pandemic

  • Posted by mwsutherland May 06, 2020 at 18:37

    I disagree totally. Scotland has a different demographic from England. I do not relate to the English parliament which takes very little cognisance of anything north of the border. Scotland’s infection rates are behind those of England. One size does not fit all. Our Scottish leadership has Scotland’s interests at heart.

  • Posted by ScottBamford May 06, 2020 at 19:06

    Ha, ha ha this is just hilarious. I have zero trust in the UK government and I am grateful for this opportunity to engage with a real government who is taking time to listen to its people.

  • Posted by UncleMachie May 06, 2020 at 19:13

    While I am respecting the right of the original poster, it is assumed that he/she and associate supporters will respect my right to dismiss it as politically motivated nonsense. Any person wishing to align with the fiasco emanating from Westminster is irresponsible. Political posturing has no place in matters of health and the original poster, together with supporters, ought be ashamed but I fear that will not happen.

  • Posted by AMcD May 06, 2020 at 19:37

    I am completely disengaged with what comes out of the national briefings and have little trust in what they say or recommend. I think Westminster have made mistakes from start to finish and I also think Scotland is having a different pandemic journey so a more regional, Scotland-centric, response is appropriate.

  • Posted by BiggGrumperz May 06, 2020 at 19:41

    I'm Welsh, lived amongst the English in Greater Wales for many years, and can categorically assure all you Scots that your MPs are no more `Numpties' than anybody else's.
    At least they're your numpties!

  • Posted by Catsmother May 06, 2020 at 22:50

    Probably the worst idea on this board. Thank goodness for the Scottish Government. Without it we would be in an immeasurably worse state.

  • Posted by emmasmith May 07, 2020 at 01:23

    Total nonsense.

  • Posted by kittyj May 07, 2020 at 10:03

    What a stupid comment! Political and of no value.

  • Posted by rossb May 07, 2020 at 13:31

    I understand that some people will always look back at a time before the reformation of the Scottish Parliament as a golden age, perhaps tinged with half-remembered visions of empire, but nobody could honestly say that the move towards a more accountable democratic government for Scotland has not been successful. There is now clear blue water between the way Scotland and the rest of the UK is run; as a supporter of full indepencence for Scotland, England and Wales I applaud the way the current Government at Holyrood has gone about its business over the last 10+ years. We have a fairer, more equal society than the rest of the UK now and that is in no small part due to the level of government being closer to, and more responsive to the aspirations of, the Scottish people. The leadership shown by our government during this crisis has also been streets ahead of that in Westminster. We should be expanding the roles and responsibilities of the Scottish Government rather than reducing it.

  • Posted by Kim May 08, 2020 at 11:16

    I agree. One approach should be form the UK only. We need to stay together. The Scottish Government although are trying to do things they are able to keep their own devolution policies at bay when actually making the decision that is right for us the people.

  • Posted by sooty May 08, 2020 at 14:40

    Great idea, full of 3rd rate politicians who are unelectable in the UK parliament.

  • Posted by Elkie May 09, 2020 at 16:05

    Without the Scottish Government, this idea could not be posted, as this forum would not exist.
    Personally, I am impressed by a government that not only openly acknowledges that its leaders don't have the answers, but actually engages with the public, and at least, tries to listen.

  • Posted by annecampbell May 10, 2020 at 22:18

    Totally behind the Scottish Government- this comment is just unionist nonsense.

  • Posted by CAN24 May 11, 2020 at 12:09

    I think this is a totally ridiculous idea, the information coming out from the Westminster Government is confusing and not in step with what is happening in Scotland. We need to be guided by our Scottish Government, who have Scotland's people at their hearts and in their best interests. This is a global pandemic, and politics don't come into it, it's about what is best for Scotland and her people's health and well-being.

  • Posted by HeyGeoS May 11, 2020 at 12:57

    What a baffling statement. Nothing more than clickbait designed to rile people on both sides of the debate. Going by that logic the US' state governors should sacked, their legislatures dissolved and replaced with a unitary government. Similar could be said for Canada, Brazil and many others. No, the UK is not a federal country, but devolution and decisions being made at a local level - the principle of subsidiarity, makes total sense.

  • Posted by sandraed May 11, 2020 at 20:56

    I gave this comment one star as there was not an option to give it Zero stars. This is demeaning, and deliberately bating. We are a strong government, as can be seen by our actions and compassion. We know what is right for the Scottish people.
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