Covid tier uproar in Edinburgh shows Scottish government must be more transparent – Scotsman comment

It would be extremely odd if Nicola Sturgeon was keeping Edinburgh or anywhere else in Scotland under tier-three Covid restrictions because of a desire to “punish” that particular area.

The Scottish government needs to do a better job at explaining controversial decisions over Covid restrictions (Picture: Scottish Government)

Yet the First Minister felt the need to deny just that suggestion, saying “the idea that we somehow take these decisions on the basis on well ‘we like this area or we don’t like that area’ or ‘one of us lives in one area…’, that’s just not a factor in our decision-making and I think most people reasonable people would accept that that is not the case”.

However, it is clear that the decision to keep Scotland’s capital under tough restrictions despite areas with similar infection rates being in lower tiers has caused considerable disappointment and anger, possibly in part because hopes had been raised.

With the stakes so high, it is understandable that feelings are running at a similarly elevated level. The future of many businesses – particularly in the hospitality sector – could be at stake, along with the jobs they provide and their wider beneficial effects to the general economy.

And, amid rising concern over social isolation, loneliness and depression, a relaxing of the restrictions and a move to a life a little closer to normal would have given a mental lift to many people.

Explaining the decision, the First Minister pointed to a high number of daily cases in Lothian and a rising trend in Edinburgh in recent days. Other concerns include people travelling to Edinburgh in the run-up to the festive season and worries about a sudden spike just before the five-day Christmas ‘bubble’.

It should be stressed that we do all need to abide by the rules, even if we disagree with them. People should object if they think a mistake has been made, make the argument for a change, but ultimately we need to stick to the same plan.

However, judging by the reaction, the government needs to be much better at explaining its actions and as transparent as it is possible to be.

Ministers must realise that maintaining support on this vital issue depends to a significant degree on the public understanding why decisions are taken. And, given the apparent need to deny seeking to ‘punish’ an area, that’s clearly gone wrong in this case.

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