What puzzles me though, is why the SNP Government over the
past few years – years in which Nicola has been deputy first minister - has
persisted in policies which run counter to a social justice agenda. Why they
have continued with a Council Tax freeze which, although electorally popular,
has been shown to benefit the richest rather than the most vulnerable, who are
most dependent on public services; why they have cut college places, a route
out of poverty for many children from working class and poorer backgrounds; why
they have voted again and again against including the living wage in
procurement?
Maybe there’s a limit to what you can do as a deputy. From
the trade union responses to Nicola’s statement it is clear that they are
prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt – to take her at her word. It
would be churlish not to do the same.