Watching First Minister's Questions has become akin to experiencing the classic psychological thriller Gaslight, where the Scottish National Party appears to be manipulating public perception against clear evidence.
The Two-child Benefit Cap Controversy
First Minister John Swinney expressed outrage at Chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement about ending the two-child benefit cap, despite his own party's record on the issue. Swinney criticised Labour MPs for voting to maintain the cap during their 18 months in office, calling it an 'absolute disgrace'.
This position appears contradictory given the SNP's longstanding promise to mitigate the cap's effects in Scotland. Had they fulfilled this commitment, the Chancellor's decision for England would have been largely irrelevant to Scottish households.
Business Policy Double Standards
Nationalist backbencher Kenny Gibson positioned himself as a champion of entrepreneurs, echoing Scottish Chambers of Commerce concerns about fiscal pressure on businesses. However, Gibson remained silent on his own party's role in making Scotland the UK's high-tax capital, a policy certainty deterring global investment.
The hypocrisy extended to energy policy, where Kevin Stewart expressed grave concerns about North Sea job losses and record low investment. Stewart lamented Labour's decision not to scrap the energy profits levy, warning it would 'cost jobs and drive a more rapid decline in the North Sea'.
Yet this criticism ignores the SNP's enthusiastic support when Rishi Sunak introduced the same levy in 2022, with Nationalists arguing it 'should have gone much wider'. Stewart himself served as an SNP government minister during this period.
Green Coalition Failures
The Scottish Greens joined the chorus of criticism, with Ross Greer scolding Swinney over the lack of a just transition plan for Mossmorran workers facing redundancy. The Scottish Government had promised but failed to deliver such a plan, a failure that's become commonplace under SNP administration.
Greer's indignation rings hollow given his party's aggressive pushing of Net Zero policies despite industry warnings about job losses. The Greens prioritised anti-prosperity politics over workers' livelihoods, leaving roughnecks to find alternative employment.
There will be no Hollywood ending for Scots bearing the brunt of SNP hypocrisy on benefit caps, living costs and energy prices. Scottish voters are being subjected to political gaslighting while paying premium prices for the privilege.
