Is working together to help Scots really so hard, Nic?

NICOLA Sturgeon’s fingers were tapping away at her phone early on Thursday. Before half of Scots had had their Weetabix, she was retweeting a cartoon of herself and Boris Johnson, suggesting his visit to Scotland helped the pro-independence cause.

It was dispatched shortly after a missive saying that ‘one of the key arguments for independence is the ability of Scotland to take our own decisions, rather than… [politicians] taking us down a path we haven’t chosen.’

This was apparently scripted without irony. Scots did make their own decision – to remain in the UK. Ms Sturgeon is the politician trying to lead the country down the opposite path.

But details such as this are mere trifles for a First Minister who tells us daily – as she takes regular sideswipes at the UK Government – that nobody should be trying to make partisan or party political points during the pandemic. I can’t tell whether it’s Oscar-worthy performing or simply hubris. Either way, the brass neck can be seen from space.

During such a crisis, when no one’s life is left untouched, Scotland’s two Governments should be working together to help and support people through the health and economic fallouts.

In fact, that is exactly why the Prime Minister was in Scotland.

His visit to Orkney was to mark the £50 million of UK Government investment announced for the Islands Growth Deal.

Matched by £50 million from the Scottish Government, the cash is earmarked for development in areas such as tourism, infrastructure, energy and skills training across Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. As Covid morphs from a health emergency to an economic one, such investment becomes more, not less, important. Just like the Prime Minister’s message that pulling together to support one another is vital for our recovery.

MORE than a third of the Scottish workforce in private sector employment has been directly supported by the UK Government’s furlough and self-employment support schemes.

That is nearly 900,000 people across Scotland who have been able to cover their mortgage, pay their bills and support their families during lockdown.

The Islands Growth Deal does not stand alone. Two days before the Prime Minister’s visit to Orkney, the UK Government confirmed £40 million for a Falkirk Growth Deal.

The wheels of Mr Johnson’s plane had barely touched down when the Treasury confirmed another £1.9 billion of funding for the Scottish Government for the coronavirus response – on top of the £4.6 billion since March.

The second half of the Prime Minister’s visit was to the Baxters food factory in Fochabers, Moray, to thank staff.

Baxters is one of the companies which has been supplying food boxes for those people who have shielding, isolating, vulnerable and infirm during lockdown.

The firm has moved mountains – adding extra shifts and postponing other work and product lines – to make sure that those who have been unable to go to the shops for months are properly sustained at home.

It is absolutely right and proper that staff are thanked. The outpouring of vitriol on social media from independence supporters, ranging from insults to threatened boycotts, was as petty as it was embarrassing, and SNP leaders should think about whether this is a message they want to encourage by their silence. The economic headwinds we are facing are unbelievably tough. Thousands of Scottish jobs are on the line. Threatening our marque companies, especially the ones going the extra mile for the vulnerable, helps no one.

We will need them all. Just as we will need the Scottish and UK Governments to work together.

All Ms Sturgeon had to do on Thursday was say: ‘I welcome the Prime Minister’s visit. Despite our political differences, I will always work with the UK Government in Scotland’s interests as we seek to recover.’

But that was beyond her. She made herself – and the country – look small.