Students teaching SNP a hard lesson

SCOTLAND’S young people would be forgiven for thinking the SNP Government has nothing but contempt for them. Just weeks after the exams fiasco which saw thousands of youngsters’ results marked down on the basis of where they live, university students find themselves effectively imprisoned in halls of residence after the Government ordered them to isolate in bubbles.

Today, we report that many are rejecting government guidance and returning home rather than remaining cooped up in student digs. Meanwhile, there is growing support for a rent strike by students at Glasgow University. Who could blame those who opt for either course?

The issues affecting universities, where coronavirus has spread quickly, were entirely predictable yet students were encouraged to attend. When it became clear to the Government that this was a huge mistake, they left it to university principals to announce new restrictions.

That smacked of a government desperately trying to squirm its way out of responsibility for its own failings.

One of the great myths during the coronavirus pandemic is that the Scottish Government has handled the crisis well. The truth is that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon may talk a good game but her leadership has been found wanting.

Ms Sturgeon can frequently be heard to say that the coronavirus pandemic is not an issue over which politicians should try to score points. The truth, however, is that this rule only applies when the SNP faces justified criticism.

Nationalist politicians and spin doctors are quite comfortable lashing out at the UK Government, even arguing that the pandemic helps make the case for independence. But they do not like it when their own inadequacies are exposed.

The SNP has long taken the support of young Scots for granted. This complacency may well cost it dear.