COURIER OPINION: Nicola Sturgeon must set independence aside and focus on the job in hand

By The Courier

November 25 2022, 9:03am

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

The prospect of another independence referendum sucked all of the oxygen out of Scottish politics on Wednesday.

It has a habit of doing so.whenever the subject arises, dominating the debate and diverting attention in a way few other issues can.

And the reaction to this week’s Supreme Court ruling suggests the phenomenon is likely to continue for some time to come.

Nicola Sturgeon has signalled she will make a second referendum her target at the next general election, saying a vote for the SNP will be considered a vote for independence.

photo shows Nicola Sturgeon at a microphone. — Nicola Sturgeon addresses independence supporters at a rally outside the Scottish Parliament following the Supreme Court decision. Image: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock.

That’s her prerogative. Her allies would expect nothing less.

But there is no shortage of urgent business in her in-tray as she re-focuses on the humdrum routine of governing Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon facing plenty of challenges in her day job

The challenges were laid before her at First Minister’s Questions yesterday. And they will be apparent to anyone leafing through the pages of The Courier today.

Teachers from across Tayside and Fife walked out on strike for better pay this week.

Photo shows teachers on a picket line outside Robert Douglas Memorial School in Scone. — Striking teachers outside Robert Douglas Memorial Primary School, Scone. Image: EIS.

Nurses are preparing to follow suit.

A&E patients in Fife are facing long waits for treatment, with fewer than 60% being seen within four hours.

In Tayside, patients are pressing the Scottish Government to order an inquiry into disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel.

photo shows patients of former Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. — Patients of former Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel say botched surgery caused them lasting harm. Image: Justin Bowie.

Dundee’s drug crisis is showing no signs of abating, despite repeated pledges from Ms Sturgeon and her colleagues that it is being treated with the utmost urgency.

And delays to the A9 dualling project are looking ever more costly in the light of the latest tragedy on the route.

That’s just a local snapshot.

And all this is taking place against the unfolding backdrop of a cost of living crisis, rising inflation, soaring energy prices, a climate emergency and any number of other concerns.