Russell Findlay speech ahead of Scottish Parliament return<br /><br /> <br /><br />The Scottish Parliament must become more accountable to regain the trust of a disillusioned public, Russell Findlay has said.<br /><br /> <br /><br />In a speech in Glasgow, the Scottish Conservative leader accused the SNP of presiding over a ‘performative parliament’ and running a government machine stacked with ‘obedient yes men and women’ to avoid proper scrutiny.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Holyrood was supposed to bring decision-making closer to the people, but it’s never felt more remote.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“The SNP have nurtured an obedient machinery of state to do their bidding. These yes men and women run Scotland’s vast and powerful public sector.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“Contentious issues at Holyrood are often subject to what amounts to superficial scrutiny.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“Public sector witnesses to parliamentary committees are given free rein to waffle uninterrupted.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“Ministerial statements to parliament on big topical issues are usually laughably light on detail, and when SNP ministers are exposed as incapable – or downright dishonest – they suffer no consequences.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“As for SNP backbenchers who routinely read out scripted questions handed to them from their own government, they ought to be ashamed. I’ve seen jellyfish with more spine.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“The inconvenient truth is that Holyrood has become little more than a performative parliament. <br /><br /><br /><br />"A parliament that panders to a government which uses every sneaky trick to evade scrutiny.<br /><br /> <br /><br />“We need a radical overhaul of transparency and accountability. Transparency is not a luxury. Accountability is not optional.”<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Full text of speech (check against delivery):<br /><br /> <br /><br />The Scottish Parliament returns from recess next week.<br /><br />I said the Scottish Parliament returns from recess next week!<br /><br />But do people in the real world even know when Holyrood is sitting?<br /><br />I’d bet that most don’t know the names of their MSPs or what they get up to.<br /><br />The place has become irrelevant to most Scots.<br /><br />There’s no doubt that the parliament is a busy place.<br /><br /> But being busy is not the same as being productive.<br /><br />What happens at Holyrood is often a waste of time and taxpayers’ money.<br /><br />It fixates on fringe issues that the majority don’t care about.<br /><br />Yes, I’m thinking of the SNP’s bizarre obsession with gender self-ID.<br /><br />It wastes time on problems beyond its remit.<br /><br />Yes, I’m thinking of puffed-up MSPs who wag their fingers at the world.<br /><br />And when the Scottish Parliament does focus on the right things, it spends vast sums on poor outcomes.<br /><br />Yes, I’m thinking of the SNP’s disastrous handling of the NHS, schools, ferries … frankly, it’s a big list.<br /><br />Holyrood was supposed to bring decision-making closer to the people. <br /><br />But it's never felt more remote.<br /><br />I heard that over summer in various places I visited.<br /><br />Businesses are getting screwed by government who make life more difficult with a relentless barrage of rules and regulations.<br /><br />People are sick of being told what to do by politicians who t
