Is Boris's trip essential?

Sturgeon is a good, clear, no nonsense politician who makes Johnson look like the twit he is Of course it’s not essential travel he’s a total nincampoop
Nasty post firecracker

Ms Sturgeon is the First Minister of an elected Parliament. Mr Mogg is a rusty cog in the wheel of the bicycle pedalled by his tired fellow Etonian Johnson. His squeaks grate on the ear.

Firecracker what nasty comments! Is it any wonder that many in Scotland want independence with sneering, unpleasant remarks like that? No need for bile, unless you can't help it?

Laugh Boz? At high numbers of drug deaths? That's nice.

Boris really doesn’t want to go down in history as the Prime Minister unable to stop the break up of the union. Time will tell what his actions towards Scotland reveal.

It just gets better. From the BBC website:

The prime minister’s visit to Scotland today has been criticised in the Commons for “undermining the public health message” of Covid-19.

The SNP’s House of Commons spokesman Tommy Sheppard said that in normal times he would be delighted for Boris Johnson to visit Scotland because it resulted in a boost in support for his party.

But, he said, now was not the time for such visit and people should be maintaining social distancing protocols.

In reply, the leader of the Commons, Conservative MP Jacob Rees Mogg, dismissed the criticism.

He described Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as “Miss Moan A Lot”.

Way to go in endearing yourself to the peasants, Jacob.

Gave me the laugh of the day, Firecracker, but wait for return fire! The truth always hurts.

I think it'll be counterproductive. .
He speaks of "trying to make a united Covid response" but that translates as "trying to impose his (not exactly successful) policies to all" including where health policies are the concern of the devolved authority, not Westminster.

Doing so by going against the more stringent policy of minimising inward travel that is imposed in Scotland is waving a red flag and saying "You will do it my way even if that is not a good way"

Or that all elected governments in the UK are equal, but some are more equal than others. That won't go down well.

What a heartless post firecracker.

He's welcome to have a go Jane10. Let's see how effective the visit is. I think it will just entrench views we all already have.

I imagine Nicola has eyes in the back of her head where Johnson is concerned.

Maybe he will take a tea trolley to the vaccinators. Then he'd be welcomed.

He's the PM of the whole UK of which Scotland is only a part. If he wants to underline the clear benefits of the union that's fine by me.
Nicola needs to be busy watching her back right now.

While there are drug users, they will find new suppliers as the current ones are removed. Drug problems need to be attacked at the user side as well as the suppliers. That takes a lot of medical attention. Just where do you get that when the NHS is stretched to the limit and beyond by Covid?

Fabulous quote from Mr Gove this morning:

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said it was "only right" the prime minister visited people on the front line of the vaccine roll-out to make sure it is operating effectively.

Will he bring a clipboard and do some quality assurance while he's here?

It's just another opportunity for a photo shoot. Boris isn't a PM he's a media hungry celebrity

If Johnson goes to Scotland can we stop him coming back to England?

Perhaps Johnson should concentrate on getting the whole of the UK past the current Covid crisis instead of making an unnecessary journey when the rest of the country is trying to avoid spreading the infection.

He is trying to look decisive and powerful in England by lording it in Scotland. Standard procedure - if you face trouble at home, get people behind you by beefing up threats from elsewhere.

I agree with both Firecracker and rosie

Scotland is the drug capital of the world perhaps Sturgeon should concentrate on sorting that out.

He would be dammed if he didnt or dammed if he does whatever he does wont please Nicola Sturgeon

Boris Johnson is PM of the whole of the UK seems to me he can go where he wants.

If Scotland gains independence from the UK

What currency are you going to use, you have already been told you can't use the £?

How are you going to support yourselves as an independent country, no Barnet Formula to pay for prescriptions etc.

How are you going to pay for your hospitals and health care with no handouts and top ups from Westminster? England's ambulance service had to help you out last week when your ambulance service couldn't cope.

I think it's seen as essential by the current WM government because the last 20 opinion polls have show an increasing support in Scotland for independence. So its a good time for Johnson to turn up at a vaccination centre, just as things are starting to get going, and try to build the narrative that without the Union we'd all be doomed.

Can't do that on Zoom

Politics etc aside I think the prime minister should be setting an example as far as essential travel is concerned.
Zoom, FaceTime, etc etc etc.

NannyDaft

He is not breaking the rules he is working ! Sorry but Nichola Sturgeon is the non essential here !

In what way is ms sturgeon non essential ? Or is that supposed to be a joke ?