Flippant Alex needs to take the issues seriously

15/05/2008

Commenting after she challenged Alex Salmond at First Minister’s Questions on the issue of the Scottish Government’s confusion on PE in schools, Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, said:

“When the First Minister hasn’t got an answer, he becomes flippant and patronising. He doesn’t seem to care that what was once a firm manifesto commitment is now a vague aspiration. Four weeks ago the First Minister denied scrapping the policy of two hours quality physical education per week in schools and said we shouldn’t believe what we read in the papers.

“On Tuesday night, on Radio Scotland, Maureen Watt said that this election guarantee delivered by specialist PE teachers could now include walking to school.  This was subsequently contradicted by the government and slapped down by the First Minister himself in this chamber.

“Confusion and contradiction on such an important issue as the future health of our nation is utterly unacceptable and the sheer flippancy of the First Minister is galling. He said that the plans were understood by everyone – clearly this does not include his own Minister. How can a person in such an important Ministerial position not understand government policy? Or is there is no policy?

“Alex Salmond may regard the Scottish Parliament as his personal entertainment arena but you cannot treat matters like this as if they are a passing inconvenience. Real answers are needed and the First Minister should consider his own advice when it comes to major policy gaffes.”