Empty talk about independence won’t fix Scotland’s broken schools and NHS

Record View says John Swinney should accept there is little to no chance of an IndyRef2 this side of a UK general election and his focus should be on reforming Scotland’s broken public services.

John Swinney is right that there should be an achievable route to a second referendum on Scottish independence. The UK Government will eventually have to concede that point and enter into negotiations on what such a route should look like.

But that doesn’t mean Swinney and his ministers should spend every day grandstanding on the constitution. Yesterday’s so-called summit in Cardiff featured a lot of posturing by the leaders of three political parties who have far less in common than they might think.

It might be enjoyable for the nationalist first ministers of devolved administrations to act like the UK is finished, but none of the vague statements and empty rhetoric will improve educational standards or NHS services.

The SNP in 2026 continues to view itself as an insurgent political force instead of the tired-looking party of government of the past 20 years.

Swinney has been there for the vast majority of it in a ministerial capacity. His party’s patchy domestic record is his own, and he can’t hide from it.

Last week’s Pisa report on educational performance confirmed what many Scots parents have long suspected – standards in schools have slipped badly over the past 25 years.

It wasn’t the SNP who initially ­developed the shambolic Curriculum for Excellence but the party implemented it and is its most ­enthusiastic cheerleader.

Swinney should accept there is little to no chance of an IndyRef2 this side of a UK general election. His focus should be on reforming Scotland’s broken public services.

A mug’s game

Scotland’s drug death crisis has been well documented, particularly in the Daily Record. We campaigned hard for the problem to be put at the top of the political agenda.

But far too many lives are still being destroyed by drug addiction. It isn’t just a problem in the housing schemes of our big cities, however.

Today we tell how a professional athlete, Guy Martin, almost destroyed his life with black market steroids. He thought the drugs would give him the edge he wanted in powerlifting. But he almost died, with his kidneys failing.

Guy’s story is a stark reminder that illegal drugs can destroy lives regardless of circumstances. And even among those who think of themselves as high-achieving and super-fit, the risks are high.

We applaud Guy for coming forward to speak about his experience and we hope his story will convince others that steroids are a mug’s game.

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