Parents’ rights

Your article on 19 September “Sturgeon puts the brakes on independence bandwagon” quoted Nicola Sturgeon as wanting to understand why people voted No which meant “addressing those concerns, patiently, carefully and comprehensively. That is our challenge.”

One of those challenges is addressing the concerns of a growing number of people that an independent Scotland poses an authoritarian approach to governance, as exemplified in the Named Person Provision contained in the Children & Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

Aileen Campbell, minister for children and young people and architect of this legislation was on Radio Scotland a few days ago espousing this State Guardian scheme.

She made several erroneous claims, including that the provision did not infringe parental rights. Such a statement is demonstrably false, given that parents are required to engage positively with the Named Person and agree with all concerns raised by professionals or risk being characterised as hostile or non-engaging, leading to further state involvement.

The Named Person provision in the Children and Young People Act is a compulsory, no-opt-out imposition of services on all families when the state appointed Named Person feels it to be appropriate in regards to policing the happiness of all children in Scotland.

If the First Minister wants to “persuade the people” she failed to persuade last year, then she must start by reversing this authoritarian intrusion into family life and demonstrate trust in the people of Scotland to raise their own children. Scrap the Named Person legislation and return parenting to the parents.

Lesley Scott

Tullylumb Terrace

Perth