A nation drowning

It is quite clear that since the SNP took power in the Scottish Government in 2007, the sole focus of the government has been to deliver unwanted independence from the United Kingdom, whilst letting the standards in Scotland slip.

Almost daily, new reports emerge detailing the failings of the SNP government as their obsession for independence continues. Whether it is the ferry fiasco, the failure to address Scottish drug deaths (which are the highest in Europe!) or the worst A&E waiting times on record, Scotland under the SNP is falling apart at the seams.

However, particularly concerning is the consequences of the failings of the government on the future generations, for the decisions being made today will have consequences for years to come. Of particular note is the erosion of education spending in Scotland. Around half of Council spending goes towards education and with cuts of ￡268 million, the future does not look good.

The impact of these cuts to Council funding is already starting to hit, with the new SNP-Liberal Democrat coalition of chaos in Aberdeen City Council closing the Beach Leisure Centre Pool. This is despite the Scottish Conservative pleas to commit ￡100,000 to protect it.

Scotland has the highest accidental drowning rate in the United Kingdom, at a rate of 10 per million population. In England, school swimming lessons have been a compulsory part of the curriculum for all pupils since 1994, meanwhile there are no such plans in Scotland.

With a lack of educational opportunity through schools and the inability to attend recreational extra-curricular swimming lessons as services are slashed, I worry that our rates of accidental drowning will not improve. More lives will be lost.

The fixation of the SNP-Green government on delivering independence, setting aside ￡20 million for an independence referendum whilst services slip as cuts take place elsewhere is unacceptable.

The education of the future generation is at risk, with Councils deciding on the future of school music lessons and subject choices, which shape our young people.

The SNP-Green government need to invest in the futures of our young people.