THE Scottish political agenda has been busy this week, with the Michael Matheson iPad affair dominating the headlines. But the SNP has also had an eye on the world stage, having put forward a motion in the House of Commons calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The defeat of that motion incensed Humza Yousaf, who said he was “beyond angry” with MPs who were “on the wrong side of history”.

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Today, however, one of our readers argues that the First Minister has plenty of issues at home he should be focusing on, rather than affairs that are outwith his remit.

Keith Howell of West Linton writes:

"Listening to our First Minister’s various pronouncements of recent weeks it seems he is most sure of himself when calling on leaders outside of Scotland and telling them how to act and think. This has included decision-makers in distant war zones, world leaders on their environmental policies, and the UK Government on pretty much anything that it might contemplate.

Yet when it comes to all the areas for which he is actually responsible, Humza Yousaf is often found wanting, appearing out of his depth as he resorts to tactics of deflection and distraction rather than demonstrating a command of the matters at hand.

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From NHS waiting lists to delayed ferries, from deleted Covid WhatsApp messages to the missteps of senior colleagues, this is a First Minister so concerned with political spin that he appears to have lost sight of how ultimately it is actions, not words, that really impact on the lives of the people of Scotland. Mr Yousaf works hard every day to present himself as being on the moral high ground, but will this help the people of Scotland pay their bills, get the healthcare they need, or secure a more prosperous future for our children?”


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