Oh do let it lie! Sturgeon still obsessing over constitution

NICOLA Sturgeon has outlined a ‘bold’ vision to reboot Scotland’s economy – but was immediately criticised for continuing to ‘obsess’ about the constitution.

As Holyrood returns to business this week, the First Minister will unveil her Programme for Government, outlining proposed legislation.

Miss Sturgeon said her forthcoming programme would focus on the economy, schools and health.

But she has also demanded yet more constitutional reform by calling for the Scottish parliament to be given further powers – including a separate immigration system.

Last night a Tory spokesman said: ‘For more than a decade the SNP has failed miserably to use the powers it has at its disposal.

‘Now this stale SNP Government reverts to the only thing it knows – agitating on the constitution.’

Miss Sturgeon said yesterday that the Programme for Government, which is expected on Tuesday, would be her ‘most ambitious yet’.

She said 16 pieces of legislation would be introduced, on top of 11 currently in progress – with the focus on rebooting the economy, reforming education, health and justice as well as protecting the environment and improving the quality of housing.

The First Minister said: ‘This Programme for Government is our plan to shape the kind of Scotland we all seek – an inclusive, fair, prosperous, innovative country, ready to embrace the future.’

She also pledged to keep Scotland in the European single market – in spite of the UK’s ongoing Brexit negotiations.

She vowed the SNP would work to win yet more powers for the Scottish parliament, saying: ‘We will also set out the case for further extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament in areas such as immigration, social security, employment rights and trade.’ But Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: ‘Scotland cannot afford a repeat of last year’s Programme for Government, when the SNP set out a range of ideas, but delivered on hardly any.

‘The constitution is now in the past. The future is about providing a better deal for Scotland.’

Miss Davidson said the Tories wanted to resolve Scotland’s housing crisis by building a new generation of new towns, and would soon set out ideas on the NHS and on economic growth, backing calls for an Education Bill, Frank’s Law – to allow under-65s with conditions like dementia to receive free personal care – and moves to introduce whole life sentencing.

She added: ‘People in Scotland have given all political parties a very clear message – to get back to the day job and focus on the things that really matter.

‘It’s time to dump the endless debate about independence.’