Hollow chamber
The arrangement of the MSPs, all sitting at lidded desks, is like that of school pupils in an old-style classroom, leaving poor Mr Gray looking like an unfortunate asked to address the dominie. On the occasions when he did twist to speak directly to the opposition, he would have seen a motley group slouching and smirking. The sad thing is that the quality of Gray’s contribution belied his reputation as lacking in oratorical skills.
The problem seems to be the design of the chamber itself. After the wartime destruction of Westminster, Churchill insisted the adversarial character of parliament be retained in the reconstruction. His wisdom is substantiated in the intensity of debates at Westminster, in stark contrast to Holyrood. Surely something could be done about this?
Rev Adam Hood
Edgbaston
Birmingham