07/06/2017: First Minister's Questions Politics Scotland

Hello and welcome to the Scottish parliament in Holyrood. Its

questions to the First Minister, what might come Timea's: election

might feature. In some way. And also the conversation that Sturgeon had

with Kezia Dugdale after the EU referendum suggesting that may be

moving towards the idea of a second referendum. Kezia Dugdale says that

is not true. It's election time and they are allowed to make these

remarks. That's crossed to the chamber. What engagements do you

have for the rest of the day? This is my first chance since the London

attack to report my horror at what happened and my sympathies to those

affected. My thoughts and behold chamber's are with those who lost

their loved ones. Later today, I will take forward the government's

programme. One. I'd like to associate myself and my party with

the comments, Fort London victims. I'd like to ask why private

conversations should not stay private? I do believe that. But the

conversation that Ruth Davidson is alluding to was taken from the

private sphere into the public sphere, not by me but by the Kezia

Dugdale. But the fact of this conversation and a very selective

account of the content of that was first put into the public domain on

23rd of February in the times. with show Kezia Dugdale had talks

with the First Minister. That gave me the ability to talk about that.

The part that Kezia did not refer to was that I stand by that 100%. But

let me get to the matter. All of the opposition parties in this chamber

have tried to use the issue of an independence referendum in this

election. As a smoke screen. In the Torres' case, it's because they

don't want to talk about that toxic policies. Toxic policies like the

rape clause, that made Ruth Davidson squirm last night. And policies like

austerity cuts and extreme Brexit, and removing the rights of

pensioners. The key question tomorrow is how to stop the Tories

getting a stronger hand to do more damage to Scotland. Let's make sure

we don't boost Theresa May's majority, and sent SNP MPs to stand

up for Scotland. She's rolling back today but everyone now knows, don't

have a private chat today with this First Minister because if it suits

their purposes, everyone will hear about it. But we are still left with

the big question. The First Minister says Kezia Dugdale told her she

would drop Labour's opposition to an independence referendum. And Dugdale

says it's a pack of lies. So which is it? First Minister, just be

careful the use of parliamentary language. First Minister. People

should think twice about court talking to Ruth Davidson because of

the her Twitter account is go by, it she recorded for later. I noticed

that tweet was hastily deleted. Overnight. I stand by 100% what I

said last night. If anybody reads what Labour and Kezia Dugdale were

saying in public around that time, they will see the ring of truth

about it. Labour themselves were saying that all options including an

independence referendum, were under consideration. That is the reality.

It is on the record. There's an article on Labour's website today

confirming that. But of course, this comes back to the heart of the

matter. All of the other parties in this chamber wants to avoid the real

issue in this election tomorrow. The real issue is this: the only way in

Scotland to stop the Tories tightening their grip and getting a

bigger majority... Is to vote SNP. Labour is not strong enough to take

on the Tories any more. It's not that long ago that Kezia Dugdale

seem to be advising people in Scotland to vote Tory in the

election. If you want to take on the Tories tomorrow, if you want to make

sure Scotland has strong voices in the House of Commons 's standing

against austerity and standing up. Winston

Vote SNP tomorrow. We don't need her to tell us what we already know

which is that the Labour Party won't stand up to the SNP. It's not that

Kezia Dugdale because Corbyn is worth. He says it's fine to have a

referendum. The First Minister has dragged Kezia Dugdale to the ground.

How would she have a strong the success with Corbyn? Are focused

today and tomorrow is persuade as many people across from Scotland as

I can. The only way to stop Theresa May, on the ropes in the selection,

getting a bigger majority is making sure we don't present Tory MPs to

boost the majority and strengthen our hand. Tomorrow, let's send SNP

MPs to the House of Commons to stand up for Scotland and make our voice

heard. The last 24 hours have set out to the choice that people chase

at -- face at the polls. But the SNP, it's back to a divisive

referendum for independent. With Labour, if I'm not sure, I'll phone

a friend and see what you think. Is with us, it's clear. No second

referendum: no more uncertainty, no division across our country, I've

listened to people across Scotland and they don't want a referendum.

Says a pity's sake, let it go. -- so for pity's sake. At last, something

we agree about. The last 24 hours have set up clearly something the

choice for Scotland. We are voting for the MPs to go to the House of

Commons to vote for policies like the rape clause, benefit cuts, more

austerity cuts, MPs that will vote for the dementia tax, boat to take

away the winter fuel allowance, vote to take away the pension triple

lock. That is what people will get every cent Tory MPs to Westminster.

On the other hand, if we send strong SNP voices to Westminster, we get

MPs who will stand against austerity, stand up for pensioners,

stand up for more -- stand against more cuts punishing poorest people

in our society. The only way to do this is to vote SNP tomorrow. The

question to Kezia Dugdale. Can I offer the thoughts of these benches

to the families affected by the atrocious attacks in London and

First Minister what she has plans for the week. Setting up the

approach. One. If the last 24 hour show us anything, it's that this

First Minister will say anything to reflect from the annus killing motor

-- deflects from the SNP's record. But she people want to focus on the

day job. I know what she said in this

conversation and so does she. I'm standing here in the chamber of the

Scottish parliament and I am certain of what was said. And there was

nothing wrong whatsoever with Kezia Dugdale having changed her mind

since then. But what is wrong is Kezia Dugdale having heard that

views, to suggest that people who still hold that view somehow

something unthinkable. That is, something that is not legitimate. On

the issue... Order. On the issue of staff in our NHS... There are today,

12,000 more people working in our national health service than when

this government took office. We have more nurses, doctors, allied health

professionals in our health services than ever before. We have more per

head of population than any other part of the UK. And that is because

this government is investing in our health service and doing so to a

much greater extent than Labour would be if they were in office. So

there aren't enough nurses in the health service?. The latest live

from the Prime Minister. Mr Dale, you cannot use per Parliamentary

language you cannot use parliamentary

language of love. The pointer is to be courteous and not impugn members'

character in that way. There is a disagreement about accuracy but do

not discuss character like this in the chamber. It was of course this

First Minister that took the decision to slash numbers for

midwives. That's why we have a shortage of nurses and midwives in

Scotland. And that has severe consequences for the care that

patients receive. We know from the figures released this week, that

almost 500 operations were cancelled because of pressures on NHS

resources. That is hundreds of people who did not get the treatment

they needed because the SNP's priorities are all wrong. Does the

First Minister regret not spending enough time on her day job? In

January of this year, we announced a 4.7% increase in intakes to

preregistration nursing and midwifery programmes. That is an

extra 151 places. The fifth successive rise which equates to

3360 entry places. And under this government, there have been an

average of 1000 more nurses in training each year compared to the

previous administration. But as the record of this government when it

comes to nurse training. In terms of cancelled operations, there is

always a small number of operations cancelled. But can be for a variety

of different reasons. But the overwhelming, vast majority of

operations in our health service go ahead as scheduled. That is down to

the fantastic work number of doctors and nurses and everyone working our

NHS. Yet more fake news from the First Minister. Here is the reality.

Missed any targets, operations cancelled because of pressure on

staff and resources. And thousands of patients trapped in hospitals

when they are fit to go home. That should shame the First Minister but

nothing does. Tomorrow, we can kick the Tories out of office and get a

Labour government, that will work night and day to invest in our

schools and hospitals. Delivering a real living wage of ?10 per hour. At

a government that will deliver ?3 million more for public services.

But the only way to get a Labour government tomorrow is to vote

Labour. First Minister. Here we have another flip-flop from Kezia

Dugdale. It's not that long ago she was telling us that Jeremy Corbyn

was completely unelectable, now she is blowing with the wind all over

again. The problem for Kezia Dugdale and Labour is this: they have spent

all of their time in this campaign attacking the SNP and letting the

Tories completely off the hook. Kezia Dugdale even did suggest a

couple of weeks ago that there were parts of Scotland where people

should actually vote Tory. That is what she said. The reality is a vote

for Labour tomorrow, I vote for the party that was beaten into third

place last year, risks letting a Tory MP in the back door. The only

party in Scotland that has got the strength to take on the Tories is

the SNP. If you want rid of the Tories in Scotland, if you want MPs

elected that actually agree with Jeremy Mort Corbyn on a more issues

than Kezia Dugdale does, then vote for the SNP tomorrow. Thank you. To

ask the First Minister when the Cabinet will next meet? Tuesday. May

I first share the reflections of other members on the tragic events

in London, the shock and dismay that we felt and our condolences to those

affected. I'm sure the First Minister will also want to join me

in condemning the US president for his opportunistic attack on the

London mayor, when Londoners were still coming to terms with what

happened. However, the democratic process does not stop. In these

closing stages of an election campaign, there is more at stake

than who said what to whom a year ago. There are critically important

choices facing society and economy. The Greens have long argued for

investment in the new, sustainable injuries are other industries

providing jobs for the long term in a post-oil economy, instead of

throwing taxes and -- subsidies at the oil industry. But she says her

primary aim is to maximise extraction of fossil fuels. Even one

of the newspapers endorsing SNP states today that our industrial

base has been exposed as too heavily reliant on oil, so far nothing has

been done to replace that. How can the First Minister defend continued

subsidies and tax breaks to the biggest polluters on the planet?

Can I say that I share Patrick Harvie's view of the comments of

President Trump about the Mayor of London, Siddique Khan. I think we

should all deprecate those comments at a time when the mayor 's city had

just been the victim of a horrific terrorist attack. The least he

should have been able to expect was complete support and loyalty from a

country that is a long-standing ally of this country. On your question, I

do not think these things are either or. The importance of the gas sector

to our economy and the provision of our energy needs are such that we

have an obligation to support it. I spoke yesterday at a UK and gas

conference in Aberdeen about the importance of that sector and the

work of this government is doing to make sure that we help it recover

and have that bright future that I certainly think that it does. We

also were speaking about the ability of the skills that have been

developed in oil and gas to be transferred into other areas of our

energy sector, renewable energy in particular. There is a great

opportunity there. This government has a very good record when it comes

to renewable energy. And when it comes to meeting climate change

targets. We have some of the most ambitious targets in the world, we

met them years ahead of schedule, we are already generating more than 50%

of our energy electricity used to renewable energy. We continue to

invest in renewable energy to make sure we are making the transition to

a low or no carbon economy. That, as Patrick Harvie is aware, is a keeper

of this government. There is certainly an urgent need to

transition into new industries as well as to maximise the

opportunities from a decommissioning. But there is

absolutely a contradiction between maximising extraction and those

climate change commitments that the First Minister speaks the First

Minister has already condemned Donald Trump 's Mac decision to

withdraw the US from the Paris agreement, but if that agreement is

ever to be more than just a piece of paper, it's vital that it requires

greater action from all countries. It's undeniable that the world has

far more oil, coal and gas than we can afford to burn. The First

Minister 's former climate change Minister agreed, excepting that at

least a proportion of what is still in the North Sea must be left there.

Is it not clear that only green voices are challenging the policy

that unites the SNP with all three political parties which have played

a role in the UK Government, that policy of maximum oil and gas

extraction? Is it undeniable that that commitment, that policy, is

incompatible with any meaningful commitment to the Paris agreement?

How much of the North Sea's fossil fuels does the First Minister

believe must be left on burnt if we are to make a fair contribution to

that Paris goal of limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees? On some of

this, not on all but some, Patrick Harvie and I must have do agree to

disagree. I do not believe there is that incompatibility. I think the

importance of the oil and gas sector to our economy and the development

of skills that are important in terms of developing renewable energy

are important. Of course, as a result of advances in technology,

many of which are being developed in Scotland, there are new and

innovative ways of using hydrocarbons that are emerging.

Offering that continued opportunity. We are seeing new technologies like

hydrogen, new technologies like carbon capture and storage, I think

it is right that Scotland continues to seek to be a world leader in all

of these different areas of our energy sector. I will come back to

the central point here in terms of the Paris climate agreements, and I

bitterly regret the decision of President Trump to take America out

of that agreement. We are meeting our climate change targets, we are

meeting the targets we have set in terms of renewable energy and we are

going further in setting even more ambitious targets. We are leading

the world when it comes to discharging our obligations to the

planet as well. Willie Rennie. To ask the First Minister which issues

will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. Matters of

importance to the people of Scotland. Can I share the sentiments

about the others expressed about the London attacks. My thoughts are with

families and friends of the victims of those attacks. Yesterday the NHS

report on mental health services for young people was appalling. I

thought I had got the First Minister on board the taking strong action to

sort that. I asked her time and again about this. I have heard warm

words before as well. But the latest figures show that more young people

are waiting for treatment. They are waiting for longer, as well. Why are

things worse this year than last year? I don't think that's the case.

I know we have an election tomorrow, but I still hope that after this

election, we can have some consensus around the issue of mental health.

If we take the statistics that were published yesterday around

children's and adolescent mental health services, we saw some

improvement in terms of waiting times. We also saw that ten of the

14 health boards across Scotland are meeting in the 18 week standard,

which is up from only seven in the last quarter. Yes, there were a

number of young people beating over a year for treatment, which is

unacceptable. 74 people at one point, 7%. Again, that is down. In

the final quarter of 2016. We have, like many other countries do, have

challenges to address in terms of meeting the demand for mental

health. Because of investments we are making and because of mental

health strategy we are pursuing, we are seeing progress and we are

determined to continue to make progress. I cant all be First

Minister that it will never be a consensus in this Parliament as long

as this government continues to fail on mental health. The fact that year

on mental health. The fact that year-on-year, fewer people, fewer

young people, are treated this year than last year. Those people had to

wait longer, waiting times are up. Health boards are missing their

targets. In fact, it's worse. The targets have never ever been met.

For adults, the performance for psychological therapies is worse

this year than it ever has been before. This is why ordinary people

are now prepared to stand up, and we have seen throughout the election

campaign, prepared to stand up and tell the First Minister when she is

getting it wrong. And our government is failing. I've been asking about

mental health pretty much every week for three years. The First Minister

will say she has this brand-new strategy. What she would tell you is

that it was delayed for 15 months. Will she guaranteed that things will

be better than this next year? Can she guaranteed that? We are seeing

improvements and we intend to continue to see improvements. We are

seeing more investment, more people working. The overall workforce has

increased by 65% over the last number of years, we have seen

nursing posts increase, ex-significant increase significant

investments in mental health generally and mental health

services. In terms of the stats Willie Rennie asked me about

earlier, 83.6% were seen in 18 weeks. That is an increase in the

previous quarter. 3621 scene within 18 weeks, 712 waiting longer than 18

weeks. We are seeing improvements in these areas. But I recognise we have

work to do, which is why we are investing more and why we are

following the mental health strategy. We will continue to do so,

so we can continue to see more progress over the next months and

next year. A couple of supplementary is. The first from Ashton. To ask

the First Minister Howard government has protected Scotland's budget in

the face of Tory cuts. -- how her government. It's interesting that,

of course, the other parties do not want to hear about this. We hear a

lot rightly, from other parties, about public services. What people

like Willie Rennie don't tell us is while his party was in government

with the Tories for five years, the budget of this Parliament was cut by

?2 billion. That is what Willie Rennie and his colleagues did to the

budget of this Parliament. We have continued to protect what matters in

Scotland, and that's why we have increased the health budget by ?3

billion and will creep increase it even further over the life of this

Parliament. We will continue to do what ever we can to protect the

budget of this Parliament and our vital public services. Mark Lennon.

First Minister, you will recall that on the 19th of May, strike action by

further education was suspended to allow negotiations to continue. This

came after college of Scotland agreed to implement phase one of the

March 26 agreements. Lecturers have not received their agreed pay rise,

and it may be the end of August before it reaches their bank

accounts. They feel betrayed and threats of further strike action are

urging. This is not what was agreed just a matter of weeks ago when John

Swinney intervened personally and asked them to call off the strike.

As the First Minister agree that further education lecturers

suspended the strike in good faith and should be paid exactly what was

agreed without further delay, and I raised with the First Minister back

in April, she rightly said the employer should go the extra mile.

Will she say whether she believes they have gone the distance, and why

does this failing despite the appointment of a facilitator? I was

very pleased that an agreement was struck that allowed strike action to

be called off. That was in nobody 's interest, not in the interest of

students or college lecturers who work so hard to deliver education

for their students. That agreement was not easy to reach, and of course

the government did intervene in the way that Monica Lennon has outlined.

That agreement then was reached and I do expect now that agreement to be

implemented. So we can make sure there is no further risk of strikes

that would be damaging to students in our colleges. Gillian Martin.

Does the First Minister see what progress her government is making in

getting more young people into modern apprenticeships? We saw

statistics this week showing that we have exceeded our modern average

target of 26,000 the 2016 and 17. Employers are recognising the value

of the opportunities brought by having their skills in our workforce

and encouraging new talent. The latest figures show we are on track

to reach our target of 30000 by 2020, and we are committed to

enhancing the apprenticeship programme to respond to the needs of

employers. Alex Rowley. I agree with the First Minister when she says

talks about the party and Tory austerity devastate impact. The

question people are asking is when is this government going to start to

defend those communities. This year we saw a in costs to local public

services. They are bursting at the seams, they cannot continue, will

she defend public services moving forward? Alex Rowley is wrong, we

have had this debate in the chambers so many times. There is an

additional ?400 million of investment for local services this

year, compared to last. That includes things like extra money for

social care, and of course the hundred and ?20 million going direct

to headteachers to help us close the attainment gap. Additionally, it is

this government that is spending more than ?100 million every year,

mitigating the impact of Tory welfare cuts like the bedroom tax.

This government is continuing to do everything we can to support local

services, but also to mitigate the impact of damaging Tory cuts. On the

question of Tory cuts, it is the damage that Tory cuts do to

communities across this country that makes it all the more astounding

that so many Labour councillors, the length and breadth of this country,

seems so keen to do deals with the Tories to get them into

administration in different councils. Ivan McKee. Can I ask in

the First Minister what the estimate is for the number of additional

children who will be living in poverty by 2021? As there is a lot

of Tory tax and welfare policies. -- as a result of Tory tax other

policies. I do not think child poverty is funny. The Tories... The

Tories are laughing. At a question about child poverty. Let me give the

answer to this. This answer comes not from me on my officials but from

the Institute for Fiscal Studies. As a result of Tory tax and benefit

changes, by 2021, they estimate that an additional 1 million children

across the UK will be living in poverty. That will take the total

number of children living in poverty to more than 5 million. Equivalent

to the entire population of Scotland. That is why we need strong

voices in the House of Commons, standing against Tory cuts and

standing against notorious assaults on the poorest in our society.

With the number of planted questions, I think word gardeners'

question time today. -- we are at gardeners' question Time. This week,

a number of... A number of middle east countries cut links to Qatar

because of its support to terrorism. For years, the Scottish Government

has sought to develop business links to that country, sending the current

Transport Secretary on a trip with Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames to

develop business links, asking them to invest in their sovereign wealth

fund in Scottish schools, roads and infrastructure. In light of this

recent developments, has the Scottish Government was revised its

policy towards the Qatar limousine? It does not have in place any

suppliers based on Qatar. We will always make the case for jobs and

investment. We expect all countries to comply with international human

rights law and will use an international engagement as an

opportunity to promote promote understanding and respect of human

rights. That will be the case with Qatar as with other countries across

the world. To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will

reaffirm its commitment to the top powers climate accord? It is fully

committed to the Paris agreement. The need for international

corporation is greater than ever. The decision by President Ron to

withdraw the US from the agreement is short-sighted, irresponsible and

downright wrong. -- president from. It presents challenges to countries

but gives important opportunities to our economy and society, and it is

vital for all countries to stay on course. The Scottish Government

demonstrates our commitment to the Paris agreement over the next coming

weeks. Angler Merkel, the German Chancellor and French President

Emmanuel Macron have both expressed condemnation of the US withdrawal

from the accord. Does the First Minister share my view that the UK

Government should have been far more robust in its response and Theresa

May should have shown leadership in this, but rather than lacking the

backbone to stand up to trump? Like I'm sure many people across the

chamber would like to have seen the Prime Minister on behalf of the UK

signed the letter that France, Germany and Italy sent to President

Trump, sometimes it does feel as of the Prime Minister is more concerned

with not offending President trump then it is about doing the right

thing for this country. That is the wrong approach. The Paris agreement

was secured through long and difficult negotiations in 2015, it

followed more than 20 years of international consensus building.

The focus of all countries should be on implementation. That is certainly

the focus that this government will have as we make our contribution to

making sure the aims of the agreement are taking forward and

fulfilled. As a society, we need to burn and landfill less resources.

But the current draft climate change plan does not consider energy from

waste. Perhaps this is because, according to their own figures, the

Scottish Government are planning a 12 fold increase in installation

over the next five years. Layered on top of this, councils might be

contracted to burn and recycle the same waste. Clearly, that cannot

happen. In the interests of the powers climate accord, will be First

Minister agree with the Conservatives on a moratorium on new

incinerator construction? Of course, the draft climate change plan is

just that. It draft, it is consultation and contributions to be

made. The Conservatives putting forward that motion, that will be

given full consideration. Both are plan and strategy show ambition in

this area, and they are therefore consultation so we can move forward

to a position where we have maximum consensus as we move our country

forward. The some very difficult things to meet ambitious climate

change targets. We are doing the things that are right, not the full

Scotland but the whole of the world. Ross Greer. States, may as, industry

and the American public are other try rejecting Donald Trump's attempt

to make the US payrolls: a rogue state. It

He is tilting at windmills. The First Minister's US engagement

strategy commits the Scottish Government to engage in a state and

agencies on climate change in the US. What is being done to make this

commitment in the light of Donald Trump's announcement? A few weeks

ago I met with the government of California to commit Scotland and

the state of California to work together on issues like climate

change. We will continue to explore these opportunities to do likewise

with other American States. I disagree strongly with the decision

President Trump took on the Paris agreement, one thing that I think is

important to stress is, because of the way the United States is

governed, much of the responsibility for taking forward initiatives that

are about tackling climate change, lie in the responsibility of the

states. I think states and cities in America have a big role to play.

Scotland, the UK as a whole if it chooses to, and other countries, can

have a contribution to work with states and cities to take this

forward. Scotland is active in working with both the US and the

world. With regions and cities to make sure that we make a full

contribution and will continue to. How does the First Minister of the

support from Paris agreement match with the introduction of a new air

departure tax Bill which will reduce charges by 50%? Increase carbon

emissions, and result in reductions to the Scottish Government budget of

millions of pounds could James Kelly is aware that the committee climate

change looked specifically at this. The committee said, which the

government accepts, that if we do anything in this policy area or

anything else that has an adverse effect on emissions, then we have a

corresponding responsibility to make sure that we compensate for that in

other ways. That is factored in to our thinking and planning around

climate change. We will continue to take the decisions, growing our

economy, with all of us accept as important, supporting business to

generate the economic activity and the wealth we need to support our

public services, making sure we do the right things for our environment

and tackling climate change. We will continue to operate in that way.

What is the Scottish Government was in the response to reports more in

one in four GP practices have a vacancy? We have increased GP

recruitment and retention funding to from one to ?5 million as part of an

investment package in support of General practice. We have also

increased GP training places and doubled the number of ?20,000

bursaries for hard to fill training post. Recruitment is challenging for

GPs but it is welcome that the vacancy survey shows it is reduced

by 2% in the last year. The BMA have also commented that every unfilled

vacancy puts more and more strain on remaining GPs who struggle to cover

the gaps in their practice while also coping with increased demands

on their services. Does the First Minister agree with that assessment,

given starting today is affected by recruitment and training decision

taken several years ago, does he take personal responsibility for a

crisis in workforce planning across the NHS? I do agree with the

assessment that the member read out. I also take responsibility for

making sure this government is taking the action to help address

the challenge that we and other countries have around GP

recruitment. Investment in GP services has gone up each and every

year under this government, funding indirect support of General practice

will increase by ?250 million by the end of this Parliament. That is part

our wider commitment to increasing care funding by ?500 million. The

BMA chair, Doctor Alan McDevitt, said this is a positive step in the

direction to a shared vision of general practice. We absolutely take

our responsibility to address these challenges, but possibly the worst

thing that we could see right now in terms of addressing recruitment

challenges whether therefore GPs or nurses or other services, is to have

the ability of the best and brightest across Europe to come to

this country. That is the real and present danger to all our efforts to

tackle this is that the Tories present to Scotland and the UK as a

whole. Stuart McMillan. What action your government is taking to recruit

more staff to the NHS, and whether to update Parliament on the latest

anarchist often trigger. As I said, we have more

staffing in the NHS is at record levels. We have challenges with

vacancies for some groups of staff which we are working to address.

There are more staff and I notice and it is because of the efforts of

those staff that patients across the country get the excellent care and

treatment they do. All of us should be grateful to them for that. That

concludes First Minister's Questions. There we have it, but

close of questions to the First Minister. I thought the presiding

officer was going to carry on but he concluded. We had discussions about

the language used in parliament, it wasn't for having called liars, E

wasn't for untruths, I'm not sure because he got about 40 years. Let's

talk over the issues. Kim Andrews, a lot of controversy about the

exchange between Kezia Dugdale and Nicola Sturgeon. Remind us what that

is about? This started at last night's televised leaders debate

where Nicola Sturgeon claims that during a private conversation with

Kezia Dugdale the day after the EU referendum in June last year, Kezia

Dugdale had indicated her support for a second Scottish independence

referendum, and indicated she would try and boost the Scottish Labour

Party. She's moving in that direction? Yes. She thought the

Scottish Labour Party was moving in that direction. Today she called

that a lie. It's become somewhat of a row today, it's turned into

something they are calling Dug-gate. It's officially a gate! With

Dug-gate wide open, Ruth Davidson dashed away like a whip it away from

her own or the UK Government's record and it's turned the screws

back into a revival that helps both the SNP and conservative. But we're

not cynics. The explanation given by Nicola Sturgeon was called a clout

by Ruth Davidson, not parliamentary language, and she wouldn't use that

in the chamber. That would never do. The expedition was Ruth Davidson had

blown the gaff on it. She referenced a story in The Times newspaper in

which Kezia Dugdale talked about secret talks after Brexit. She left

out the part about the possibility of dropping opposition to their

second independence referendum which she has claimed, we should point

out, Kezia Dugdale denies. She said 100%, she stands by what was said.

But some on this. Labour lot at this time was tiptoeing towards options.

There was a softening opposition. Dugdale gave interviews hinting at

direction of travel that the first man has taken the extra step and

cemented into something. It fits with the narrative of that time.

According to the Scottish Government, there is no record of

this conversation and no recording or minute of it. It does fit with

the mood and narrative at the time from Kezia Dugdale last June and

July. If she was to be, she's just coming down the stairs there, as she

was in favour of a referendum, it would be the position where she is

firmly not, she wasn't in favour of independence? It wasn't arguing for

independence but a concept of a choice? That's right but you could

say, if you want to have another referendum, does that suggest you

are in favour of independence was now you have the question in 2014

which was answered, the answer was no. I don't know anyone opposed to

independence would want to have another go. The people are really

pushing for that, there are of course people who support

independence, particularly damaging I think to Kezia Dugdale in terms of

content. It's damaging in terms of timing as well. This is the last day

of campaigning and this is the story that dominating. This is the story

reaching all the newspapers and what we're talking about, what the

politicians talk about. There is no comeback from this or switching the

campaign onto something else. There is no recovery. People will go to

the polls with this story, others as well, but the story there. Is it the

economy? And minor matters like the fans that concern the?

I think constitutional politics is with the backdrop in Scotland, but

one of the striking things about this general election campaign has

been the focus the public seem to have been putting on devolved

issues. On the spot, things like health and education, when you look

at the debates. Are they going to be going into the booths tomorrow

thinking about actually, this might be on Westminster issues, but we are

annoyed about education, we are happy with education, unhappy with

health. They will vote on those issues as well. Increasingly, in a

country that seems to be divided down the referendum lines, almost

three years on from about, Kezia Dugdale and Scottish Labour spent a

lot of time getting away from the idea that seeped through last summer

that Kezia was weak on the union, so to speak. The Tories have made...

And that statement from Jeremy Corbyn, and the manifesto was clear.

She went even further than that, at the launch of the manifesto. It was

not war chest no, it was never? -- it was not just no, it was never.

This has set the narrative for the last couple of days. It shatters

that. It's a blow to Labour because it shatters everything they have

tried to build on the narrative of the union for the last year. You're

right, everyone is chatting about around here. One theory is that

Nicola Sturgeon was so exasperated by what she saw was a slightly

contentious approach Kezia Dugdale that she came out with it. Another

theory is that she had planned all along. What's your gas? I suspect

there is a bit of both. Had it in the background? Absolutely. She said

today at FMQs that Kezia Dugdale put this in the public domain herself.

That's true, but she did it in February. We've had all this time

were Labour have been shaping this narrative of being against the

second in referendum, you have had for months to deploy that is, and

she deployed at last night with maximum effect. When Nicola

Sturgeon... Lets not forget, Ruth Davidson was under the Koch for her

record. When Nicola said what she said the Kezia Dugdale, she was

getting a hard time about her lack of action, Holyrood mitigating UK

health care policy. There was definitely some opportunism there.

In adverting or planned? There's not much Nicola Sturgeon does that is

not planned. She might just have got annoyed with the debate? I agree

with keirin, I think it was a bit of both. I think it had been on the

back burner and was bought out in this final debate, possibly to scoop

up those Labour votes and those anti-Tory votes we know exist. You

say this is a helpful guide for Kezia Dugdale because it's about

reputation, or approach. Some might say it helps the Tories, in that,

certainly, the self image that Ruth Davidson was projecting today is

that they are the only party still unionist. Does that help them? It's

a big win for Ruth in terms of a debate last night, but she was under

pressure on the rape laws. That could have been the story then this

happened. She is off the hook on that one. She can focus today... She

was under pressure on that one know? She was very uncomfortable on that

topic as well. One might suspect Ruth has Private views on the rape

laws but is choosing to back in the UK Government on this one. She is

buzzing this angle that she is the only unionist. Ironically in the

past she has used Jeremy Corbyn to point that out, and actually ever

something Kezia Dugdale has alleged to have said which is comeback to

want her today. Dugdale herself once again on the First Minister 's

record and again on the health service. Today was very much a

general election campaign First Minister's Questions. Ruth Davidson

went on the union, we already went on mental health, Patrick Harvie on

environmental issues and the record. While the constitutional record

behind the scenes last night, the cut through in Scotland where they

have made any gains they have, it has been by focusing on the SNP 's

record. Particularly on health. The health service strains no matter

what the government does. If you are in opposition and you can't find a

story to pick out with the health service, you've got a problem.

Particularly for the Labour Party, both UK and Scotland created the

health service, it feels that have a right to defend it. The empathy for

the health services there. Far greater than it is for education,

where people may frankly have memories of school and are not all

that charming and wonderful. Yet everything is personal, the empathy,

you remember when your granny was treated in hospital, or when you

yourself got hospital treatment. The empathy there, you have to get it

right. You absolutely do and that's what Labour is trading on. You

remember all the good things that happened, most people enjoy positive

experiences in terms of the treatment, if you are not actually

going through it. There are one or two moments when things go bad and

people remember those as well. They have incredible emotional cutlery.

Kezia Dugdale eluded back to that. You mentioned other issues. Patrick

Harvie and the environment. An issue threaded throughout the whole of

FMQs today. It was, of course brought into sharp focus by the

decision of President Trump to withdraw from the Paris agreement.

We have been having the reactions of all the leaders from that. Theresa

May criticised for not having a strong enough reaction. I was in

Glasgow this morning for Jeremy Corbyn rally, he was kicking off the

day, rousing the troops in Glasgow, talking about how he would actually

pick up the phone to Jeremy Corbyn as soon as he got into Downing

Street to say, you would should not have done that. Nicola Sturgeon has

been strong on this as well, the Scottish Government has a reasonably

decent record on climate change. It has met some targets, failed others,

of course bug Patrick Harvie this is comfortable ground. This is what the

Green Party babble. He wanted a different approach. -- this is what

the Green Party are there for. Nicola staying she cannot agree on

that, only yesterday in Aberdeen talking about an investment led

future. She has to counteract all that today. Patrick Harvie pointing

out that in the Paris agreement, it says leave some in the ground. That

is part of the deal. He was trying to find out how much. He was saying,

you can criticise tramp but let's look at our own responsibilities on

this issue. Nicola Sturgeon walking a fine line, as she does on so many

issues, between the interests of business and of course supporting

the economy in the north-east, recent job losses are bare in the

last three years, down to the vomiting oil prices. But of course

also talking about the Scottish Government 's green differentials as

well. Patrick Harvie raising it substantially, others raising it as

well. Nicola Sturgeon trying to tread a balance between economic

growth and environmental development. It's the fine line the

SNP has always walked. Also, still has to walk, while it still has a

second independence referendum somewhere, kind of, at the back of

the table. Oil underpins the economic case, whatever the SNP

says, it's a massive part of the economic case last time around and

it will play a part next time. Let's not forget the north-east at the

moment is our real battle ground, between the SNP and the

Conservatives. Nicola Sturgeon does not want to be seen as boring the

oil industry under the bus. There's enough trouble with the fishing

industry at the moment, to lose those votes which could be key in

seats like Aberdeen, Aberdeen South and other seats north-east. Let's

turn to the final leader, Willie Rennie. An issue he has frankly made

his own, successfully spewing, in a dog-eared, consistent basis, the

question of mental health. -- successfully pursued. It seems to be

coming more and more to the agenda. He pushed forward awareness of

mental health, there has been lots of celebrity interest. It's becoming

an important issue and it's about parity between physical ill-health

and mental ill-health and we are treated in the NHS. Willie Rennie

was highlighting some NHS figures coming out yesterday suggesting

there are fewer children being treated for for mental health

issues, and they are happy to wait longer to get treatment. I think it

was an average of a two-week long wait. Asking Nicola Sturgeon of

course, ten years in power, what are you doing about this? This is the

way government works, a First Minister in the chamber, facing

awkward questions and repeatedly awkward questions on mental health.

It will go back to her department, the Scottish Government, and saying,

I want this fixed. I'm not having another day like that. She answers

the question is relatively calmly, without being particularly robust,

because she knows it is a tricky subject? Absolutely. I do not think

there is a politician in Scotland who is happy the state of mental

health service in Scotland. And the current provision. Things are

improving, some figures are slipping in others. But the First Minister

will not be happy with that. She knows improvements need to be made,

and that once the election is over, her and Willie Rennie will be able

to speak about it rather than just shout across and score points

because there's about tomorrow. That's the sort of thing where both

Willie Rennie and Nicola Sturgeon have been very good at working

together, to try and push something constructive whilst Willie Rennie

has really made sure it stays on the agenda at Holyrood in the chamber at

FMQs. Awkward questions from the rivals, she had some questions from

the backbenches that perhaps led her into areas she was hoping for. I

love Neil Findlay calling it gardeners question Time. Perhaps

more supportive than otherwise. Keirin was pointing out earlier that

it's an election FMQs, isn't it? One backbencher even grinned after she

sat down, having given the question. They were giving her the back-up.

They are on her team. Giving her the ammo to fire at Ruth Davidson's

Tories. It happens all the time, backbench questions that give Nicola

Sturgeon a chance to put the boot into the Tories talk about how great

the Scottish Government is. She has highlighted a bit more given the

general election tomorrow. Briefly, the election tomorrow as you

mentioned. Forecasts? Scotland, UK? I think the SNP will hold the vast

majority of seats in Scotland. I think there will be gains for the

Tories. Might not match up to what their private ambitions may be. Lib

Dems, Labour. Who knows? I think the SNP will be the biggest party. It

will win the election in Scotland but it will also fall back. One

interesting thing will be how much the Tory vote share in packs the

number of seats. Will it get over the line and win a lot of seats and

make it look good on paper, blue on the map. Or will it fall just short

and lose some of the momentum narrative it has built up so far?

Keirin and Lindsay, thank you both. General election tomorrow of course,

all the coverage on BBC Scotland and the wireless. I will be on the

telly! Fancy joining me? It would be great if you did. Now, goodbye.

'So that's me, 75 years young this year.

'three of Scotland's greatest artists have agreed to paint me.'

I'm about to be humiliated and I love it.

I'd maybe try shocked... CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS

You know, I'm meeting an idol of mine.

He's this kind of national treasure within Scotland.