Local politicians in war of words over covid measures

Last week, Strathkelvin and Bearsden SNP MSP Rona Mackay accused Tory councillor Andrew Polson, who is the joint leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, of “dangerous ignorance” over the new five-tier restriction system.

After a meeting of local authority leaders on Tuesday, October 27, Councillor Polson said the area would be placed in level 3 of the new system. He described the move as “a kick in the teeth” for local business, adding there was also “confusion” over non-essential travel.

But Strathkelvin and Bearsden SNP MSP Rona Mackay hit out the following day (Wednesday, October 28) as the guidance had not been passed nor debated before the Scottish Parliament at the time of his public comments.

Councillor Polson said today (Monday, November 2): “I am disappointed and dismayed at the unsolicited personal attack on me as the joint leader of East Dunbartonshire Council for standing up for local businesses and the people of our area.

“These are difficult, challenging days and that Rona Mackay can’t see the perilous times ahead for local businesses concerns me greatly.

“However it does not surprise me as in the 4 1/2 years since being elected she has done nothing for this area. She and her local council group have in fact run away from any decision making and therein lies the problem.

“Would it be that she would work with me jointly to navigate through this situation as I have done with many MPS and MSPs both past and present of all parties, including her own, for the good of our locality.

“I have spent the last three weeks working tirelessly with Scottish Government ministers, local authority officers and local business owners. That she has not been involved in any of these discussions for the people of East Dunbartonshire says it all.

“How much of the £40m of support provided to hospitality businesses during the 3 week circuit breaker reset, has she secured for businesses in this area - the silence will be deafening!”

Ms Mackay responded: “Everyone understands how difficult it is for business during this pandemic. What we don’t need is a council leader politicising it by criticising the measures this Government is putting in place to keep people safe.

“It seems Councillor Polson has been too busy “working tirelessly” to ask his Government in Westminster to extend the furlough scheme to help local businesses in East Dunbartonshire, something the Scottish Government has been requesting for months and been denied.

“Interesting too that at COSLA he voted against the Scottish Government having borrowing powers to help with the Covid crisis, so there is more than a hint of hypocrisy at play here.

“Councillor Polson really should stop campaigning for next year’s election and get on with the job of sorting out his hopeless council administration.”