Why love across the Holyrood political divide is a matter of public interest

Is the recently revealed relationship between Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and Mid-fife and Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth really “news” (your report, 17 July)? It certainly is, for two reasons. Firstly, a liaison of this kind between two parliamentarians may come as a surprise to many given the traditionally hostile and sometimes bitter relations between their respective parties.

That is not to say, of course, that friendships across the political divide do not develop, although the public tend to be unaware of them. But against that there are instances of meetings held “only out of courtesy”, long silences and stand-offish behaviour between individuals. Ms Dugdale and Ms Gilruth may have gone some way to show that those attitudes are at worst childish and at best negative and unsuited to good governance.

Secondly, we cannot ignore the real vitriol that splashes across the Holyrood chamber, particularly over education. Kezia Dugdale frequently tries to expose what she sees as the very poor record of the Scottish Government in this area. She rightly tries to put Education secretary John Swinney on the spot whilst his parliamentary liaison officer, Jenny Gilruth, is seen on television in the Scottish Parliament sitting dutifully behind him. The public may see this as of greater or less significance in light of the new romance but they are surely entitled to be aware that it has happened. Love and strong affection may be no respecter of political groups’ standing orders or parliamentary procedure. But in this case the public do have a right to know, even if a respect for the couple’s privacy should go without saying.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes