The prospect of nearly 50 SNP MPs taking up their places at Westminster is a potent sign of how Scottish politics has changed.
For years, the SNP was a marginal force in the House of Commons and only sent a handful of elected representatives to London.
How times have changed. The SNP’s dominance is so complete that some in the party were disappointed not to make more progress last week.
With such a large Nationalist group at Westminster, the Tory Government will be held to account on funding for Holyrood and the devolution of more powers to the Scottish Parliament.
However, while we expect the UK Government to raise its game, the same is also true of the SNP administration in Edinburgh.
After 12 years in power, the SNP is showing serious signs of wear and tear on the NHS. Two hospitals on either side of the M8 are in crisis and patients are waiting too long for treatment.
On education, cited by Nicola Sturgeon as her top priority, the huge attainment gap that existed when she took over in 2014 still exists.
Justice is another problem area. Moving towards a single police force was always risky but ministers said the creation of the Scottish Police Authority as an oversight body would allay fears. In reality, the SPA has been a hopeless failure.
Many people lent their votes to the SNP for the first time last week. If the Nationalists want this to be repeated, Ministers in Edinburgh need to start improving public services – and fast.
Hair and gracious
Homelessness is a scar on Scotland but it is particularly brutal at Christmas.
Many of us take a nice meal and presents for granted, not to mention a roof over our heads.
So it is a matter of pride that Nineteen, a hair salon in Glasgow’s Merchant City, is opening its doors again to
homeless people.
A haircut can provide a boost to self-esteem and it is to the salon’s credit that they provide this service free of charge.
Such acts of kindness go a long way – let’s hope other firms follow suit.
Solid as a Roc
Millionaire land owner Roc Sandford is giving his children a rubbish Christmas – to teach them about the future of our planet.
For presents, he gave his two daughters bits of junk he’d found in the street – wrapped in Christmas paper.
We admire Roc’s commitment but hopefully Santa will still be dishing out the goodies to Record readers – and their kids – on the big day.
