THE first debate in the Scottish Parliament of the new year will be on independence – a move the Conservatives have branded "criminal".
The Scottish Government has scheduled a debate on “people’s right to choose – respecting Scotland’s democratic mandate” on Tuesday, when Holyrood returns to action after Christmas.
It has sparked fury from Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross who accused the SNP of “criminal” neglect of other issues.
Speaking in Edinburgh on Friday morning, Ross (below) said: "Parliament is back on Tuesday so surely we will be having a meaningful debate on supporting our NHS, our doctors and nurses, our paramedics, staff across the service and delivering for patients.
"You’d hope so. You’d expect so, but no. The SNP/Green government have scheduled the first debate of the 2023 session on Scottish independence.
"There was a time it was almost laughable how out of touch they were speaking about separation at every turn.
"Now as people are lying on hospital floors and dying because of delay in being treated, the SNP negligence is criminal."
But the debate is not the only item of business on the agenda for parliament’s first day back after a three-week break for MSPs.
Ministers will take topical questions from members before a Government statement on Scotland’s energy strategy.
Defending the debate’s timing when it was criticised in December before the recess, parliamentary business manager George Adam said: “Frankly, the case for the people of Scotland being given the choice and the chance of a better future is becoming stronger every day.
“Inflation is running at 10%, household incomes are predicted to fall to 2014 levels, the economy is in recession, people are facing the horrific choice between heating and eating this winter, millions are facing eye-watering increases in their housing costs in 2023, and Brexit, of course, is compounding all of that by creating labour shortages, trade barriers, higher business costs and lost tax income.
“All of that shows that it is time for the people of Scotland to get the chance to choose a future in which they are wealthier, healthier and happier.
“I will never apologise for encouraging Parliament to debate the right of the people of Scotland to choose their own future.”
And Greens MSP Maggie Chapman (above) said it was “no wonder that Douglas Ross doesn't want to talk about independence”.
She added: “He knows that it would give us the best possible chance to finally move on from the failed economic vision and policies of the cruel and incompetent Tory government that he supports and that has done so much damage.
"The Tories may claim that independence is not a priority, but they are terrified of allowing the people of Scotland our democratic right to have our say.
"Independence is not just a question of where decisions should be made, it is also a question of what kind of society we want to build.
“The Scotland I want us to see is a progressive one that stands for workers' rights and environmental justice. This is a stark contrast from the cuts, chaos and xenophobia being spread by Downing Street.
"With the powers of a normal independent country, we can finally turn the page on nearly 13 years of Tory governments that we did not vote for.
“It would allow us to remove nuclear weapons from our waters, halt the 100 climate-wrecking oil and gas exploration licences they are awarding, protect trade union rights and re-join the European Union."
