'Another example of one rule for them, and one for us': Readers react to Boris Johnson’s trip to Scotland

The Prime Minister has been urged to reconsider a trip to Scotland today which Nicola Sturgeon has described as 'non-essential'.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will visit Scotland, despite Nicola Sturgeon questioning whether the trip is essential.

Current lockdown rules prevent people from travelling across the border between England and Scotland unless for essential reasons.

We asked the Scotsman readers for their view of whether or not Boris Johnson should be visiting Scotland during lockdown and if his trip should be deemed as essential.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon cautioned the Prime Minister to reconsider a planned trip to Scotland, which she described as “non-essential”.

The First Minister said Boris Johnson should question whether a trip north was vital during the current Covid lockdown and suggested there should not be different rules for the public and politicians.

Many suggested that meetings between the Prime Minister and Nicola Sturgeon could be facilitated online and that the trip was not an essential one.

Fiona Wood said: “No way if the rest of us can't do it why should he. It's not setting a good example for the rest of the country. There are plenty of other ways to chat with each other.”

Dave Allan wrote: “No. He should stay local to his own constituency the same as other MPs.”

Carole Robinson added: “Don’t care who or what he is - we are ALL being told to stay at home, no unnecessary travel. So why can’t he have a Zoom meeting instead, and abide by the rules he sets.”

Kay Etherington said: “Of course not.... just another example of how what he says and what he does just encourages flouting of the rules and of course he blames ‘the People’.”

Alma Hilton Stephenson wrote: “No! Not if I can't go into England to see my daughter. It would only take me 20 minutes in my own car. How would he travel? However, he'd be mixing with folk somewhere along the way as I'm sure he'd need a 'comfort' stop at the very least.”

However many other readers believed that the PM’s trip is justified for work reasons.

Sandra Lockhart said: “He’s travelling for work. Hundreds of people do it every day. I don’t like the man but many of the politicians are crossing regional areas for work including the FM.”

Gordon Macdonald said: “Boris Johnston is the UK Prime Minister - of course he can visit anytime he has urgent business to attend to.”

Yvonne Rankin wrote: “Yes it is essential, someone needs to monitor the situation in Scotland, we are part of the UK and much as I don’t agree with him he needs to be seen to showing Scotland support too.”

Jason Abbasi added: “He can do what he wants. He is PrimeMinister. He decides the rules. Nicola Sturgeon cant stop him. Scotland is his country to rule.”

Gary Walker said: “Is it ESSENTIAL he visits Scotland? If it is then fine as anyone can visit England if it's ESSENTIAL! But maybe if it is deemed ESSENTIAL maybe he can give us the reason why it is as everyone else would need to!”

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