The baby box remains a curiously divisive policy about which I maintain genuine ambivalence. Some champion it as progressive innovation, while others deride it as political theatre. Neither extreme resonates because, whether viewed as beneficial or wasteful, this initiative has never represented transformative change. It has not meaningfully altered Scotland's fundamental social or economic landscape.
The Transatlantic Gesture That Reignited Controversy
The Scottish Government's recent decision to dispatch one of these postnatal packages to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani has spectacularly revived the Baby Box Wars. For critics, this represents a costly publicity stunt by ministers desperate to bask in Mamdani's progressive celebrity glow. For supporters, it constitutes legitimate policy exchange with an interested international counterpart.
It is undoubtedly a gimmick, but costly? Shipping a parcel of that size to Manhattan would scarcely exceed £200. If only we could persuade Angus Robertson to travel via FedEx. Were this purely about sharing ideas, the same information could have been conveyed through email or video conference. Naturally, such approaches would not have generated the helpful pre-election publicity the SNP evidently sought.
A Visceral Reaction to Political Cynicism
Despite my policy indifference, last week's announcement provoked a visceral response to its unspeakable cynicism – its callous cruelty. Because while ministers postured as champions of mothers and children, Kimberly Darroch continued her agonising fight for truth and justice regarding her daughter Milly.
Milly was just ten years old in 2017 when she contracted Stenotrophomonas at the Royal Hospital for Children, located within the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus. She was receiving cancer treatment, but instead of life extension, her young existence was tragically shortened.
The Mother's Heartbreaking Testimony
Kimberly Darroch spoke again last week about the soul-crushing agony of losing her daughter and her protracted, painful quest for answers and accountability. She told media: ‘To the Scottish Government, I expected more from you. Your inactions have failed us and our children.’
Regarding why neither John Swinney nor Nicola Sturgeon had met with her, she observed: ‘I just think it’s their way, isn’t it? They just hide things or sweep things under the carpet. Them not seeing me is them hiding.’
Kimberly presented a picture of profound dignity. If only Scottish Government leadership or NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde management could acquit themselves so commendably. Here was a woman desperately needing governmental support, while her government pursued social media validation among Manhattan liberals.
Devolved State Priorities Laid Bare
The Scottish state has clear priorities, and people like Kimberly and her daughter consistently rank low. This applies both to those determined to rush the hospital campus opening and those who deemed political stunts last week's chief governmental concern.
This episode reveals the devolved state's true purpose, whether manifested through Scottish Government, health boards, or other public bodies. The lanyard class exists not to serve public interest but to advance its own interests, fads, and preferences.
A Culture of Targets Over Outcomes
Within this culture, ‘targets’ and ‘deliverables’ supersede what is actually delivered and who encounters it. When processes or personnel err gravely – to the degree of profound harm or loss of life – the institutional response involves closing ranks, switching off phones, issuing Saturday night press statements, and hiding behind lawyer-approved obfuscation.
The Scottish Government and public sector perceive themselves as exceptionally compassionate and conscientious. Their enlightenment supposedly manifests through jumping on fashionable bandwagons, ideally involving ‘Nordic’, ‘sustainability’, or ‘the right side of history’ terminology.
What We Know About the Hospital Scandal
Regarding the Queen Elizabeth contaminated water scandal, much remains unknown. We await Lord Brodie's findings for fuller understanding. What we do know is that multiple people have died, including children. Police are investigating six deaths, with that number potentially increasing as investigations progress.
We know that after years of denial, spin, and stonewalling, the health board has conceded water contamination probably caused bacterial infections in child patients. We know the Scottish Government is ducking for cover. The First Minister recently acknowledged it ‘does look like’ families were lied to and that ‘quite clear there’s been a cultural problem in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’.
Belated Clarity and Convenient Clarifications
This clarity arrives tragically belatedly, following years of SNP ministers rejecting calls to address health board personnel and problems. More fortunate for government is the health board's abrupt clarification of its Brodie inquiry submission.
After evidence referenced pressure to open QEUH ‘on time and on budget’ – sparking speculation about who applied pressure for a hospital opening one month before the 2015 general election – NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde issued a weekend press release. This assured media the ‘pressure’ comment was ‘made in general terms only’ and should be assumed as coming ‘from within NHSGGC’.
A sceptic might question why a health board would intervene to discourage political rumour-mongering. A cynic might observe the statement couldn't have been more transparent if written on clingfilm.
A System Unfit for Purpose
From existing knowledge, we can confidently assert that patients were badly failed, with some injured and others losing lives in connection with a hospital that opened prematurely. The state's scandal response involved not honesty and transparency but deception and cover-up.
This should outrage everyone regardless of political affiliation or NHS beliefs. That anyone – let alone children – could become more ill or die in hospital is terrible enough. That this could be followed by prolonged, shameless accountability resistance is monstrous.
A political or bureaucratic system better at protecting itself from scrutiny than protecting patients from avoidable death is fundamentally unfit for purpose. This system has no business boasting about munificence toward parents and young children.
This is not an empathetic or generous state that provides supplies for some children while closing ranks when other children leave hospital in coffins.
The Right Focus for Our Anger
Yes, we should be upset – but about the right things. Don't waste anger on Mamdani's baby box. Direct fury toward the government's inability to give Milly Main's mother the truth she deserves. The real scandal isn't £200 transatlantic postage; it's the priceless truth withheld from grieving families.
