The Scottish National Party is facing sharp criticism from Westminster after government ministers boycotted a prestigious event hosted by the Adam Smith Institute in Edinburgh.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack expressed his dismay at the SNP's decision to snub the gathering, which was also attended by UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch. The move has been interpreted as another sign of deteriorating relations between the Scottish and UK governments.
Constitutional Tensions Surface
In a strongly worded statement, Mr Jack described the boycott as "deeply disappointing" and suggested it demonstrated the SNP's lack of commitment to constructive engagement. "It is a great shame that Scottish Government ministers chose not to attend an event with the UK Government and the Adam Smith Institute," he remarked.
The absence of SNP representatives has raised questions about the party's willingness to collaborate on economic matters that fall within both governments' remits. First Minister John Swinney and other senior figures were notably absent from the high-profile economic forum.
Historical Significance Adds to Controversy
The choice of venue added symbolic weight to the confrontation. The event took place at Panmure House in Edinburgh, the final home of Adam Smith - the renowned Scottish economist whose work remains foundational to modern economic theory.
Critics argue that the SNP's boycott represents a missed opportunity for meaningful dialogue on economic cooperation. Supporters of the Scottish government, however, maintain that ministers must prioritise their legislative agenda and cannot attend every invitation they receive.
This incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Holyrood and Westminster over various policy areas, including immigration, economic strategy, and constitutional matters. The relationship has been particularly strained since the Supreme Court ruled against holding another Scottish independence referendum without Westminster's consent.
