If ever a week exemplified the return of the old politics, where domestic issues dominated and familiar ‘left versus right’ fractures were evident, then this was it.
In politics, the return of business at Holyrood after the October break was dominated by two issues, with an underlying theme which will be present throughout the next few years lurking in the background.
First up on Tuesday was the vote in Parliament on to endorse the Scottish government’s intention to effectively ban fracking in Scotland; the motion was carried by 91 votes to 28, with the SNP, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens all in support, with the Tories opposing.
The vote provides another example of public policy differing north and south of the border and the Scottish Conservatives criticised the move as being ‘short-sighted and economically damaging’. The Scottish government, however, will take solace form the overwhelmingly supportive attitudes expressed in the public consultation and the polling evidence that shows opposition to fracking outstripping support. As ever, having voters in your corner gives the government additional ballast when making difficult choices.
Public support is harder to come by with the second big issue of the week, the state of the NHS in Scotland. In its annual report on its performance, Audit Scotland highlighted that only one of the eight big government targets for the NHS is being met.
The report, which featured prominently throughout Thursday’s First Minister’s Questions in Holyrood, does highlight the challenges that the service faces in terms of rising costs, growing demand for care and the need for cultural shifts in accepting changes in how and where care is delivered. But it is very hard hitting in highlighting that much more needs to be done on a range of issues, from funding community care to better workforce planning.
Overall, the government will be disappointed with the report and frustrated with the lack of progress being made. And looking at the challenges facing the NHS, it is going to be extremely difficult to make significant progress in the next few years.
Underlying both of these issues of course is the key theme of this term of Holyrood, namely how we will raise money to pay for the public services we hold so dear. The Tories bemoan the fracking decision partly because they think it will affect job creation and damage the economy, while all parties are debating what tax changes may be needed to improve services like the NHS.
The Scottish government is due to set out its approach to income tax next week and has asked other parties to also make their positions on the issue clear. While the case to raise income tax to fund improvements to hospitals and schools may be made by some parties, it is clear that persuading voters of this position will be tough. Watch this space on this issue.
Women show the way
While the country comes to terms with yet another failure of the Scotland team to reach next year’s World Cup, the women’s national side are showing the way in their qualification. This week’s 5-0 win over Albania leaves Scotland on top of their group with two wins out of two. So, while Russia 2018 will have to do without the Tartan Army, France 2019 looks like a much more realistic prospect.