The Scottish Politics Thread

[Caley_Red]

Thought I'd kick this one off again.

[Biffer]

And let’s continue the practice of ignoring the wind up merchants.

[HKCJ]

Doc Robs not THAT bad

[Camroc2]

The reacharound crew have all migrated to the F365 lifeboat, rather than this one.

[Northern Lights]

So the first main topical thing to get this thread started:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scot ... -0sr9f36gb

Conservatives planning to revolutionise devolution
Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor
Wednesday July 01 2020, 12.01am, The Times

Downing Street aims to engage more with devolution rather than continue a perceived culture of “devolve and forget”

British ministers are considering revolutionising Whitehall’s approach to devolution by creating new UK-wide economic and security bodies as part of an effort to strengthen the Union.

A new cabinet group has been set up to promote Boris Johnson’s agenda and devise policies that will enhance the UK government’s standing in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Crucial to this will be establishing UK-wide frameworks and making clear what responsibilities are reserved to Westminster. It is understood that Tory ministers are preparing to be more “robust” with their SNP counterparts in taking responsibility for macroeconomic and security issues.

Ideas will be brought forward by the Union Policy Implementation committee, which will be chaired by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, and includes Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, in its membership.

The group, which also includes the secretaries of state for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, has held its first informal meeting. Its mission is defined as being “to support the delivery of the government’s priorities in relation to the Union of the United Kingdom”.

The main aims are to change the culture of “devolve and forget” within Whitehall and to develop policies that will work across the whole of the UK.

Senior figures in the UK government believe it represents a shift from Theresa May’s administration and will see Downing Street be far more willing to engage with devolution, including pushing for change where the system is seen as “dysfunctional” and learning lessons from where it works well.

The committee is being supported by No 10’s “Union unit” and a new resource within the Cabinet Office, which will involve more than 20 officials working on policies.

The committee is expected to discuss how the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which replaces funding controlled by the EU, will be used to “bind” the UK nations. This will involve branding to mark the UK government’s contribution at investment sites in the same way that investment from the EU is promoted.

The group will consider how the UK government can invest more on infrastructure projects in each of the devolved nations, including in transport.

The prime minister has announced plans to invest in “shovel-ready” upgrades including dualling the A1 in the northeast of England up to Scotland.

Sources said that the UK government will consider contributing to improving the same road north of the border and funding the upgrade of the A75, which links Stranraer and its ferry ports at Cairnryan with the A74 at Gretna.

This would pave the way for ministers to explore Mr Johnson’s proposed bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The prime minister said that now was the time “to strengthen that incredible partnership” of the four nations. “I believe the Union has more than shown its worth and a prosperous and united kingdom must be a connected kingdom,” he said.

Nicola Sturgeon said she was “extremely underwhelmed” by the plan. The SNP had called for £80 billion of investment and additional borrowing and spending powers for Scotland.

She said Mr Johnson’s announcement was “simply shuffling around money that was already in the system” and was not enough considering “the scale of the challenge that we face”.

UK officials were unable to say whether any extra money would come to Holyrood after the announcements.

Call for investment fund
A new independent Scottish investment fund should be set up to manage government assets, SNP ministers have been told.

Andrew Wilson, the former RBS economist and chairman of Nicola Sturgeon’s Sustainable Growth Commission, and Alan McFarlane, the founder of Dundas Global Investors, called for economic structures to be simplified.

In a paper for the Reform Scotland think tank titled Investing for Recovery, they said that the Treasury should work with Holyrood to sanction tens of billions of pounds of debt-funded capital.

Mr McFarlane said that a “significant response” would be needed to aid the recovery from the economic crash caused by Covid-19.

Kate Forbes, the finance secretary, said that her request for more financial powers, which would be required under Mr McFarlane and Mr Wilson’s plans, had been “kicked into the long grass” by the Treasury.

[Slick]

Crucial to this will be establishing UK-wide frameworks and making clear what responsibilities are reserved to Westminster. It is understood that Tory ministers are preparing to be more “robust” with their SNP counterparts in taking responsibility for macroeconomic and security issues.

First thing they need to sort is international trade, it's an absolute mess at the moment and severely impacting Scottish business.

[Biffer]

So the first main topical thing to get this thread started:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scot ... -0sr9f36gb

Conservatives planning to revolutionise devolution
Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor
Wednesday July 01 2020, 12.01am, The Times

Downing Street aims to engage more with devolution rather than continue a perceived culture of “devolve and forget”

British ministers are considering revolutionising Whitehall’s approach to devolution by creating new UK-wide economic and security bodies as part of an effort to strengthen the Union.

A new cabinet group has been set up to promote Boris Johnson’s agenda and devise policies that will enhance the UK government’s standing in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Crucial to this will be establishing UK-wide frameworks and making clear what responsibilities are reserved to Westminster. It is understood that Tory ministers are preparing to be more “robust” with their SNP counterparts in taking responsibility for macroeconomic and security issues.

Ideas will be brought forward by the Union Policy Implementation committee, which will be chaired by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, and includes Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, in its membership.

The group, which also includes the secretaries of state for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, has held its first informal meeting. Its mission is defined as being “to support the delivery of the government’s priorities in relation to the Union of the United Kingdom”.

The main aims are to change the culture of “devolve and forget” within Whitehall and to develop policies that will work across the whole of the UK.

Senior figures in the UK government believe it represents a shift from Theresa May’s administration and will see Downing Street be far more willing to engage with devolution, including pushing for change where the system is seen as “dysfunctional” and learning lessons from where it works well.

The committee is being supported by No 10’s “Union unit” and a new resource within the Cabinet Office, which will involve more than 20 officials working on policies.

The committee is expected to discuss how the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which replaces funding controlled by the EU, will be used to “bind” the UK nations. This will involve branding to mark the UK government’s contribution at investment sites in the same way that investment from the EU is promoted.

The group will consider how the UK government can invest more on infrastructure projects in each of the devolved nations, including in transport.

The prime minister has announced plans to invest in “shovel-ready” upgrades including dualling the A1 in the northeast of England up to Scotland.

Sources said that the UK government will consider contributing to improving the same road north of the border and funding the upgrade of the A75, which links Stranraer and its ferry ports at Cairnryan with the A74 at Gretna.

This would pave the way for ministers to explore Mr Johnson’s proposed bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The prime minister said that now was the time “to strengthen that incredible partnership” of the four nations. “I believe the Union has more than shown its worth and a prosperous and united kingdom must be a connected kingdom,” he said.

Nicola Sturgeon said she was “extremely underwhelmed” by the plan. The SNP had called for £80 billion of investment and additional borrowing and spending powers for Scotland.

She said Mr Johnson’s announcement was “simply shuffling around money that was already in the system” and was not enough considering “the scale of the challenge that we face”.

UK officials were unable to say whether any extra money would come to Holyrood after the announcements.

Call for investment fund
A new independent Scottish investment fund should be set up to manage government assets, SNP ministers have been told.

Andrew Wilson, the former RBS economist and chairman of Nicola Sturgeon’s Sustainable Growth Commission, and Alan McFarlane, the founder of Dundas Global Investors, called for economic structures to be simplified.

In a paper for the Reform Scotland think tank titled Investing for Recovery, they said that the Treasury should work with Holyrood to sanction tens of billions of pounds of debt-funded capital.

Mr McFarlane said that a “significant response” would be needed to aid the recovery from the economic crash caused by Covid-19.

Kate Forbes, the finance secretary, said that her request for more financial powers, which would be required under Mr McFarlane and Mr Wilson’s plans, had been “kicked into the long grass” by the Treasury.

Given recent experience, I think it's an 'I'll believe it when I see it' reaction from me. Given the past actions of Tory governments, This reeks of something where the rich boys try to tell the plebs what to do and don't accept any idea that comes from the devolved administrations.

[Slick]

Given recent experience, I think it's an 'I'll believe it when I see it' reaction from me. Given the past actions of Tory governments, This reeks of something where the rich boys try to tell the plebs what to do and don't accept any idea that comes from the devolved administrations.

I share your cynicism... In saying that every conversation I have had with Ministers or senior civil servants in HMG they say that Boris and this government are serious about "equalising" things across the UK. Seen none of it yet in my little corner but that's more to do with Covid.

[clydecloggie]

As long as the Kintyre bridge is on the agenda as part of that 'devolution revolution' , it's all pie in the sky nonsense.

Not to mention that I have yet to see a single area of policy where this UK government has shown itself to be competent. Possibly Sunak's emergency budget, but his actions since suggest it was a PR flash in the pan as per usual.

[Caley_Red]

So the first main topical thing to get this thread started:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scot ... -0sr9f36gb

Conservatives planning to revolutionise devolution
Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor
Wednesday July 01 2020, 12.01am, The Times

Downing Street aims to engage more with devolution rather than continue a perceived culture of “devolve and forget”

British ministers are considering revolutionising Whitehall’s approach to devolution by creating new UK-wide economic and security bodies as part of an effort to strengthen the Union.

A new cabinet group has been set up to promote Boris Johnson’s agenda and devise policies that will enhance the UK government’s standing in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Crucial to this will be establishing UK-wide frameworks and making clear what responsibilities are reserved to Westminster. It is understood that Tory ministers are preparing to be more “robust” with their SNP counterparts in taking responsibility for macroeconomic and security issues.

Ideas will be brought forward by the Union Policy Implementation committee, which will be chaired by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, and includes Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, in its membership.

The group, which also includes the secretaries of state for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, has held its first informal meeting. Its mission is defined as being “to support the delivery of the government’s priorities in relation to the Union of the United Kingdom”.

The main aims are to change the culture of “devolve and forget” within Whitehall and to develop policies that will work across the whole of the UK.

Senior figures in the UK government believe it represents a shift from Theresa May’s administration and will see Downing Street be far more willing to engage with devolution, including pushing for change where the system is seen as “dysfunctional” and learning lessons from where it works well.

The committee is being supported by No 10’s “Union unit” and a new resource within the Cabinet Office, which will involve more than 20 officials working on policies.

The committee is expected to discuss how the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which replaces funding controlled by the EU, will be used to “bind” the UK nations. This will involve branding to mark the UK government’s contribution at investment sites in the same way that investment from the EU is promoted.

The group will consider how the UK government can invest more on infrastructure projects in each of the devolved nations, including in transport.

The prime minister has announced plans to invest in “shovel-ready” upgrades including dualling the A1 in the northeast of England up to Scotland.

Sources said that the UK government will consider contributing to improving the same road north of the border and funding the upgrade of the A75, which links Stranraer and its ferry ports at Cairnryan with the A74 at Gretna.

This would pave the way for ministers to explore Mr Johnson’s proposed bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The prime minister said that now was the time “to strengthen that incredible partnership” of the four nations. “I believe the Union has more than shown its worth and a prosperous and united kingdom must be a connected kingdom,” he said.

Nicola Sturgeon said she was “extremely underwhelmed” by the plan. The SNP had called for £80 billion of investment and additional borrowing and spending powers for Scotland.

She said Mr Johnson’s announcement was “simply shuffling around money that was already in the system” and was not enough considering “the scale of the challenge that we face”.

UK officials were unable to say whether any extra money would come to Holyrood after the announcements.

Call for investment fund
A new independent Scottish investment fund should be set up to manage government assets, SNP ministers have been told.

Andrew Wilson, the former RBS economist and chairman of Nicola Sturgeon’s Sustainable Growth Commission, and Alan McFarlane, the founder of Dundas Global Investors, called for economic structures to be simplified.

In a paper for the Reform Scotland think tank titled Investing for Recovery, they said that the Treasury should work with Holyrood to sanction tens of billions of pounds of debt-funded capital.

Mr McFarlane said that a “significant response” would be needed to aid the recovery from the economic crash caused by Covid-19.

Kate Forbes, the finance secretary, said that her request for more financial powers, which would be required under Mr McFarlane and Mr Wilson’s plans, had been “kicked into the long grass” by the Treasury.

Although the idea of this proposed bridge has the seduction of a much needed boost to the SW of Scotland with a grand feat of engineering, Ireland and N.Ireland are pitifully-sized markets and I frankly see no economic rationale for it overall. It would most certainly benefit Stranraer and help create a land bridge through which freight could divert from Carlisle and elsewhere but I just don't see it making any long term sense.
In my view, it would be much better to invest in Stranraer as a sizable haulage and goods port and increase motorway and railway linkage to both Glasgow and Carlisle/M74 as trade volumes are likely to increase to/form the US and Canada in the coming decades. It would also allow a greater linkage of freight to and from Belfast and help boost economic activity there as well.
In the pre-2019 world, the argument could be made for doing it at Greenock or Port Glasgow but I have long bought in to the idea of, as the government puts it these days, leveling up the country: woeful static econometric models from the Treasury are on the way out and sacrificing a few units of 'economic net benefit' to boost an area long neglected (comparatively) is worth it, in my view.

[Biffer]

Some journos trying, in the daily news conference, to cause a panic about there being five cases in Dumfries and Galloway yesterday. Trying to make out that this is some kind of cluster on a par with Leicester.

[Slick]

Interesting twist on the 2m rule from Nicola, looks like pubs and restaurants will be able to go down to 1m as long as they inform us we are entering a 1m zone.

Also, face masks mandatory for shops as of Monday

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Interesting twist on the 2m rule from Nicola, looks like pubs and restaurants will be able to go down to 1m as long as they inform us we are entering a 1m zone.

Also, face masks mandatory for shops as of Monday

Where are people getting face masks from? Any recommendations from the medics on here what type is best. Or should I just use a Buff?

(Appreciate this is probably on the wrong thread.)

[Jock42]

Interesting twist on the 2m rule from Nicola, looks like pubs and restaurants will be able to go down to 1m as long as they inform us we are entering a 1m zone.

Also, face masks mandatory for shops as of Monday

Where are people getting face masks from? Any recommendations from the medics on here what type is best. Or should I just use a Buff?

(Appreciate this is probably on the wrong thread.)

The surgical masks that we wear for most jobs protect the patient rather than us, there is maybe some potential protection for us, the other masks we wear (all the 3M, solway masks etc) that have to be fitted protect us when performing Aerosol Generating Procedures.

I've not really paid attention to the new masks that have sprung up, the professional style "homemade" stuff, but I assume that's more to protect other people from you if you have it like the surgical masks.

[Jock42]

Interesting twist on the 2m rule from Nicola, looks like pubs and restaurants will be able to go down to 1m as long as they inform us we are entering a 1m zone.

Also, face masks mandatory for shops as of Monday

Had a wee chuckle at that. 2m unless you've got a wee pub then 1m is OK

[Slick]

Posted a reply and it never came up, hmmm.

Stop the cheering at the back.

[Slick]

Interesting twist on the 2m rule from Nicola, looks like pubs and restaurants will be able to go down to 1m as long as they inform us we are entering a 1m zone.

Also, face masks mandatory for shops as of Monday

Where are people getting face masks from? Any recommendations from the medics on here what type is best. Or should I just use a Buff?

(Appreciate this is probably on the wrong thread.)

Tried to post this a minute ago.

Most pharmacies seem to have them and quite a few gift shops and alike seem to have them. I think it can just be a scarf tied around your head at this point though.

Wife has just popped out to buy me an Oddballs one with the SRU logo on it from a shop down the road.

[Biffer]

Interesting twist on the 2m rule from Nicola, looks like pubs and restaurants will be able to go down to 1m as long as they inform us we are entering a 1m zone.

Also, face masks mandatory for shops as of Monday

Where are people getting face masks from? Any recommendations from the medics on here what type is best. Or should I just use a Buff?

(Appreciate this is probably on the wrong thread.)

The surgical masks that we wear for most jobs protect the patient rather than us, there is maybe some potential protection for us, the other masks we wear (all the 3M, solway masks etc) that have to be fitted protect us when performing Aerosol Generating Procedures.

I've not really paid attention to the new masks that have sprung up, the professional style "homemade" stuff, but I assume that's more to protect other people from you if you have it like the surgical masks.

I think the policy is about protecting other people rather than yourself, so any face covering should do. I’ve got some snoods that I’ll use casually if I pop in somewhere, and I got a small pack of more medical ones for when I need to wear one for longer (BS EN14683:2019 if that means anything to you - it doesn’t for me)

[Jock42]

Yeah I completely get that policy however that message is not getting across.

Haha, nothing but we've gone through several different makes of disposable masks

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Where are people getting face masks from? Any recommendations from the medics on here what type is best. Or should I just use a Buff?

(Appreciate this is probably on the wrong thread.)

The surgical masks that we wear for most jobs protect the patient rather than us, there is maybe some potential protection for us, the other masks we wear (all the 3M, solway masks etc) that have to be fitted protect us when performing Aerosol Generating Procedures.

I've not really paid attention to the new masks that have sprung up, the professional style "homemade" stuff, but I assume that's more to protect other people from you if you have it like the surgical masks.

I think the policy is about protecting other people rather than yourself, so any face covering should do. I’ve got some snoods that I’ll use casually if I pop in somewhere, and I got a small pack of more medical ones for when I need to wear one for longer (BS EN14683:2019 if that means anything to you - it doesn’t for me)

Helpful, thanks. I'll go with the Buff solution for now, but might see about trying the pharmacy.

Now, this might be a stupid question, but if we're to wear masks in shops from 10 July, are we also to wear one in pubs & restaurants when they re-open on 15 July? Not being facetious, just wondering if the thinking is joined up at all, or if perhaps the date for reopening pubs & restaurants is now at risk?

[Jock42]

Nah it won't be mandatory in pubs, just like the 2m rule isn't.

[Northern Lights]

Now mandatory to wear a mask in a shop (that we've been using for months now without one and the infections have collpased) but it is now ok to go to a pub without one and be tighter packed.

Pile of shite if you ask me, not that any of you are but it just seems a shambles.

[Biffer]

Now mandatory to wear a mask in a shop (that we've been using for months now without one and the infections have collpased) but it is now ok to go to a pub without one and be tighter packed.

Pile of shite if you ask me, not that any of you are but it just seems a shambles.

It's about risk profile. Multiple factors at play, including how likely you are to meet someone carrying the infection, how likely you are to be infected when wearing a mask, and when not, and at what distance from them, number of people within a certain area, whether you're likely to be face to face with someone, etc.etc. it's the overall risk of all of these combined that you've got to keep low enough to keep the virus down. The first of these has decreased substantially so some of the other factors can be relaxed while maintaining the same overall level of risk. Then throw in the risk to the economy and how you get more people in to stores.

[Northern Lights]

It's about risk profile. Multiple factors at play, including how likely you are to meet someone carrying the infection, how likely you are to be infected when wearing a mask, and when not, and at what distance from them, number of people within a certain area, whether you're likely to be face to face with someone, etc.etc. it's the overall risk of all of these combined that you've got to keep low enough to keep the virus down. The first of these has decreased substantially so some of the other factors can be relaxed while maintaining the same overall level of risk. Then throw in the risk to the economy and how you get more people in to stores.

They are still keeping 2m in the stores though arent they? Unless you have a wee shop from what i can gather.

Apparently the mini outbreak on the border is linked to a couple of factories, pretty surprised they didnt already have it through them before now as they've been open throughout

[Jock42]

It's about risk profile. Multiple factors at play, including how likely you are to meet someone carrying the infection, how likely you are to be infected when wearing a mask, and when not, and at what distance from them, number of people within a certain area, whether you're likely to be face to face with someone, etc.etc. it's the overall risk of all of these combined that you've got to keep low enough to keep the virus down. The first of these has decreased substantially so some of the other factors can be relaxed while maintaining the same overall level of risk. Then throw in the risk to the economy and how you get more people in to stores.

They are still keeping 2m in the stores though arent they? Unless you have a wee shop from what i can gather.

Apparently the mini outbreak on the border is linked to a couple of factories, pretty surprised they didnt already have it through them before now as they've been open throughout

They probably did but weren't unwell enough to get a test. Now its easier to get tested

[Yr Alban]

Now mandatory to wear a mask in a shop (that we've been using for months now without one and the infections have collpased) but it is now ok to go to a pub without one and be tighter packed.

Pile of shite if you ask me, not that any of you are but it just seems a shambles.

Not all the shops have been open though. As restrictions are lifted, more shops open and more people will be interacting, wearing masks to limit the chance of infection makes sense.

It’s a fair point regarding pubs, but you can’t drink through a mask, so maybe hard to enforce. The general mask theory is that you should wear them if you can’t keep 2m apart. Will certainly be difficult in a pub, but otherwise you have to keep them shut until all this is over.

I just hope that Wales adopts the same regulations, and I wish England would adopt at least some of them. I want to come to Scotland over the summer, and it’s entirely possible I won’t be able to because Boris Johnson is a dick.

[Yr Alban]

Doc Robs not THAT bad

Thanks HK, love you too! 8-)

[I like neeps]

Masks reduce spread so where you can where them you should imo.

A smidge of inconvenience to save what could be huge inconvenience.

[Slick]

I want to come to Scotland over the summer, and it’s entirely possible I won’t be able to because Boris Johnson is a dick.

We are heading down south to my mums for a couple of weeks tonight. Won't be seeing anyone else. Slightly worried about getting back up later but I presume they would give a couple of days notice of any travel bans etc.

[Northern Lights]

We're thinking of heading down at the end of the month to see the inlaws, which if there is any positive to be taken from this Corona has been me having an excuse not to be dragged down to see the inlaws, I've managed to hold her at bay with end of the month/August before we head down.

I would personally have preferred jumping on a plane to somewhere warm with a beach to chill out for a week or two but the whole overseas travel thing just seems a shambles, so will probably head off in the Oct hols instead

[Biffer]

Good to see the Scottish Government using Business figures - and current ones, not past ones - in some of the economic planing activity, think this was something that was mentioned on the other place.

Nicola Sturgeon refers to a report by a group of industry experts, commissioned by the Scottish government, looking at ways to limit unemployment caused by the economic impact of Covid-19.

The first minister says Sandy Begbie, the chief transformation officer at Tesco Bank, has agreed to lead the work on developing and implementing one of the report's key proposals - a job guarantee for young people.

"Sandy has valuable experience in this area," says the first minister.

[Slick]

Pretty incendiary comments from Devi Sridhar

To Americans wondering what's going on, here's my naive take: Scotland is now doing well in its response to COVID-19 which seems to anger anti-Scottish, pro-UK people ("unionists" who are now turning their attacks on me bc I serve on scientific advisory group to Scottish govt

I do think Nicola needs to address this.

[dpedin]

Whilst she is probably right in what she says she shouldn't say it publicly but she is only an advisor and not a member or official of the Gov so I presume Wee Nic hasn't any authority over her.

Getting a bit pissed off about folk moaning on about masks - its no feckin problem just do it. As we come out of lock down it makes sense to make masks mandatory as the number of interactions begin to increase. Up to now the number of close interactions has been low and where it was a risk then masks were required i.e. buses, hospitals, care homes, etc. The number of cases in the community is now very low in Scotland and as the community opens up then it makes a lot of sense to require folk to wear masks to avoid the opening up and closer contact in beer gardens etc leading to an increase in community transmission. We have also reached the low level of community infection where local PH teams can actually have an effective Track and Protect system in place to identify and manage local outbreaks. Opening up later than England reflects we were later into community transmission and are keen to get the numbers down low enough to manage. We might not agree with what Sridhar said but she knows what she is talking about and Scotland is in a far better position than England right now.

[Slick]

Whilst she is probably right in what she says she shouldn't say it publicly but she is only an advisor and not a member or official of the Gov so I presume Wee Nic hasn't any authority over her.

Getting a bit pissed off about folk moaning on about masks - its no feckin problem just do it. As we come out of lock down it makes sense to make masks mandatory as the number of interactions begin to increase. Up to now the number of close interactions has been low and where it was a risk then masks were required i.e. buses, hospitals, care homes, etc. The number of cases in the community is now very low in Scotland and as the community opens up then it makes a lot of sense to require folk to wear masks to avoid the opening up and closer contact in beer gardens etc leading to an increase in community transmission. We have also reached the low level of community infection where local PH teams can actually have an effective Track and Protect system in place to identify and manage local outbreaks. Opening up later than England reflects we were later into community transmission and are keen to get the numbers down low enough to manage. We might not agree with what Sridhar said but she knows what she is talking about and Scotland is in a far better position than England right now.

Eh? You think she is right to say non independance supporting folk are anti Scottish and are angry that Scotland is doing well? I'm sure you don't so maybe I've read that wrong.

Agree on the masks thing, its not really a big deal to stick one on. I think one factor is embarrassment to be honest, which is silly but a real thing. I'm down in England at the moment and went for a haircut yesterday and was the only person (apart from the barbers) wearing one, seems crazy.

[Biffer]

Whilst she is probably right in what she says she shouldn't say it publicly but she is only an advisor and not a member or official of the Gov so I presume Wee Nic hasn't any authority over her.

Getting a bit pissed off about folk moaning on about masks - its no feckin problem just do it. As we come out of lock down it makes sense to make masks mandatory as the number of interactions begin to increase. Up to now the number of close interactions has been low and where it was a risk then masks were required i.e. buses, hospitals, care homes, etc. The number of cases in the community is now very low in Scotland and as the community opens up then it makes a lot of sense to require folk to wear masks to avoid the opening up and closer contact in beer gardens etc leading to an increase in community transmission. We have also reached the low level of community infection where local PH teams can actually have an effective Track and Protect system in place to identify and manage local outbreaks. Opening up later than England reflects we were later into community transmission and are keen to get the numbers down low enough to manage. We might not agree with what Sridhar said but she knows what she is talking about and Scotland is in a far better position than England right now.

Eh? You think she is right to say non independance supporting folk are anti Scottish and are angry that Scotland is doing well? I'm sure you don't so maybe I've read that wrong.

Agree on the masks thing, its not really a big deal to stick one on. I think one factor is embarrassment to be honest, which is silly but a real thing. I'm down in England at the moment and went for a haircut yesterday and was the only person (apart from the barbers) wearing one, seems crazy.

I think she has phrased very badly the idea that there are people in the more extreme category of unionist (maybe loyalist would be a better word for them) who are going to howl at anything the Scottish government does whether it’s good bad or indifferent.

Regardless of only being an advisor, she will have some kind of contractual relationship in place, or a terms of reference or such which will have some stipulations around public comment and behaviour in relation to what she’s giving advice on.

[dpedin]

Its an interesting area about how much control the Gov have over these members of advisory groups. The other argument is that any contractual or 'terms of reference' put in place are in effect ways of the Gov trying to silence experts who have alternative views to the Gov. Interesting that since Van Tam spoke out about the adherence to rules and regulations he disappeared from the now defunct daily briefings by the UK Gov. It is a difficult line for everyone concerned, my view is let these experts speak out, thats why they are there ... as long as they don't do a Starkey!

[Biffer]

Its an interesting area about how much control the Gov have over these members of advisory groups. The other argument is that any contractual or 'terms of reference' put in place are in effect ways of the Gov trying to silence experts who have alternative views to the Gov. Interesting that since Van Tam spoke out about the adherence to rules and regulations he disappeared from the now defunct daily briefings by the UK Gov. It is a difficult line for everyone concerned, my view is let these experts speak out, thats why they are there ... as long as they don't do a Starkey!

Yeah, it’s a fine line. You have to both allow them to express their views freely in order to still have independence, but also prevent them from compromising the independence or competence of the advisory panel they sit on and the process as a whole.

[Slick]

Its an interesting area about how much control the Gov have over these members of advisory groups. The other argument is that any contractual or 'terms of reference' put in place are in effect ways of the Gov trying to silence experts who have alternative views to the Gov. Interesting that since Van Tam spoke out about the adherence to rules and regulations he disappeared from the now defunct daily briefings by the UK Gov. It is a difficult line for everyone concerned, my view is let these experts speak out, thats why they are there ... as long as they don't do a Starkey!

Yeah, it’s a fine line. You have to both allow them to express their views freely in order to still have independence, but also prevent them from compromising the independence or competence of the advisory panel they sit on and the process as a whole.

The strangest thing to me is that these intelligent people get so rattled by fucking Twitter that they say shit like that.

Still think it was a very poor comment and needs a response.

[Biffer]

Its an interesting area about how much control the Gov have over these members of advisory groups. The other argument is that any contractual or 'terms of reference' put in place are in effect ways of the Gov trying to silence experts who have alternative views to the Gov. Interesting that since Van Tam spoke out about the adherence to rules and regulations he disappeared from the now defunct daily briefings by the UK Gov. It is a difficult line for everyone concerned, my view is let these experts speak out, thats why they are there ... as long as they don't do a Starkey!

Yeah, it’s a fine line. You have to both allow them to express their views freely in order to still have independence, but also prevent them from compromising the independence or competence of the advisory panel they sit on and the process as a whole.

The strangest thing to me is that these intelligent people get so rattled by fucking Twitter that they say shit like that.

Still think it was a very poor comment and needs a response.

Have you dealt much with academics? They can have a very odd world view.

[Jock42]

Pretty incendiary comments from Devi Sridhar

To Americans wondering what's going on, here's my naive take: Scotland is now doing well in its response to COVID-19 which seems to anger anti-Scottish, pro-UK people ("unionists" who are now turning their attacks on me bc I serve on scientific advisory group to Scottish govt

I do think Nicola needs to address this.

What a complete fuckwit