KEZIA Dugdale used the c-word about the transport minister at FMQs. He deserved it.
Poor Humza Yousaf, a self-confessed non-expert on transport, has found himself in charge of the most cursed portfolio in the Scottish Government, the one with ScotRail in it.
It’s not often politicians encounter anything below them in the public’s affections, but ScotRail’s Dutch operators Abellio are right down there with the bottom-feeders, next to sketch writers.
After yet another day of chaos on the line, caused by a train taking a nap outside Waverley, the Scottish Labour leader sprang into action as the commuters’ champion.
“It has been yet another shambolic day that has caused misery for passengers,” she grinned.
“Humza Yousaf, who crosses the country in his ministerial car,” - ouch - “took to Twitter this morning to admit that ScotRail’s performance is not good enough.
“Does the FM really understand just how angry Scotland’s commuters are today?”
Ms Sturgeon’s expression suggested anger was not a wholly unfamiliar emotion.
“Yes, I do,” she simmered. “All the lines into Edinburgh were blocked by the train. ScotRail described it to me as the worst location in Scotland to have a breakdown like that.”
Ms Dugdale could hardly believe her luck.
The FM asked for understanding: “Trains will break down, whatever party is in government”.
Ms Dugdale overcame the urge to mention trains running on time under independence and rattled off a series of stats to show ScotRail had a rotten performance day-in day-out.
“Last week, ScotRail cancelled trains because it expected the rails to be slippery due to excessive moisture. Rain in Scotland - who could have predicted that?”
Then came the c-word. Six weeks ago the transport minister announced an improvement plan for the duffers on the buffers at ScotRail.
“Humza Yousaf said he had confidence in that improvement plan. Well, passengers are fast losing confidence in him. How bad does it have to get before the FM steps in?”
And there it was, the word every minster dreads, confidence. Labour scent a scalp.
They plan to tie Mr Yousaf like a damsel to the tracks and let ScotRail finish him off.
“I am sorry for the disruption,” Ms Sturgeon grovelled again, but too late.
The Labour train to Ex-minister Central has already left the station.
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