The SNP must take responsibility for our drugs shame

THE old truism that with power comes responsibility appears to have been ignored by the SNP.

Since taking control at Holyrood in 2007, the Nationalists have made an art out of passing on to Westminster the blame for any and every failure of policy in Scotland.

If a policy is adjudged to be a success, then we should all give thanks to SNP Ministers for their great wisdom.

Should, on the other hand, a policy produce unwelcome outcomes, then the fault lies with the constitutional arrangement of these islands.

If only Scotland was independent, all would be well.

This tactic of buck-passing was at its grubbiest last week when a number of SNP figures sought to blame the Union for the fact that the rate of drug deaths in Scotland is now the highest in the European Union.

This reaction exposed the intellectual void at the heart of the Nationalist project. When one convinces oneself that the simple redrawing of a border is the answer to problems of great complexity, then there is no requirement for one to give these problems much thought.

But the truth, of course, is that the SNP is entirely responsible for the majority of areas of policy that affect the lives of Scots.

Today, The Mail on Sunday reveals that deaths linked to the use of what were once ‘legal highs’ have more than doubled since their use was outlawed three years ago.

We fully supported the decision to ban these dangerous substances. It was the right thing to do. But the ban – indeed, all legislation surrounding drug use – can work only if it comes alongside fully funded and clearly directed law enforcement and health services.

Nationalist politicians who look at the devastating impact of illegal drug use on families and communities across Scotland and then point the finger of blame at Westminster should be utterly ashamed of themselves.

Instead, they should consider whether their focus on an independence project that has already been rejected by the majority of Scots is a sensible use of time and effort.

The SNP frequently insists that Scots are resourceful and intelligent enough to run our own affairs. This is a straw man of Nationalist making. Nobody – whether Unionist or Nationalist – doubts the abilities of Scots.

However, we are entitled to doubt the abilities of those who currently hold key roles in the Scottish Government.

The SNP has proved itself soft on crime and weak on tackling the problems which drive vulnerable people towards chaotic drug use. The Scottish Government cannot blame anyone else for this miserable state of affairs.

Time to show some loyalty, Chancellor

SELDOM has there been an exhibition of disloyalty so astonishing as Philip Hammond’s behaviour in recent weeks. The Chancellor is actively undermining the next Prime Minister before he has even been chosen.

He has created a party within the Tory Party which is already exercising for an autumn offensive. Having been part of a failed effort to exit the EU, is Mr Hammond worried by the possibility that someone else will succeed and show him up?

The only winners from such behaviour will be the EU and Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party.

Whoever wins the Tory leadership election is entitled to expect the loyalty and goodwill of all Tory MPs, for the sake not just of the party but of the country.