MSPs tabling written questions is a tried and tested way to hold the government to account.
Politicians of all stripes use the system to get vital answers on how the government spends public money.
But MSPs also use this system responsibly as they know it involves public resources.
The revelation that Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden has cost taxpayers over £100,000 by tabling nearly 1000 questions is ridiculous.
Even more galling is that some of the questions were on daft subjects like flagpoles, light bulbs and jars of honey.
This is an abuse of the system and does nothing to shine a light on the workings of government.
Lumsden’s Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, likes to argue that Holyrood is a spendthrift talking shop, which does little for the ordinary punter.
He should perhaps have a stern word with his colleague who is guilty of making a complete fool of himself.
Lumsden took to X yesterday to claim that the “full story” had not been told.
He said some important subjects had been covered by the questions and he defended himself.
But the truth is some utter nonsense was also tabled and the public purse is footing the bill.
Labour MSP Michael Marra was correct to take him to task by describing his actions as “deeply childish”.
Tories like to bang on about wasteful government and politicians blowing public money.
They should practise what they preach before pointing the finger.
Farage is the foe
Reform UK have tanked in Scotland so far but opinion polls show Nigel Farage’s party in line for a Holyrood breakthrough.
His anti-immigration party is projected to return between nine and 16 MSPs, an outcome that would send shockwaves through Scotland.
The news that Farage is set to front Reform’s Holyrood campaign and represent his party in the TV debates is another worry.
Farage is a master of political manipulation and TV is his preferred method of peddling his cynical brand of politics.
The SNP and Labour have a fundamental disagreement on independence but both are hostile to right-wing populism.
Both parties should put aside their differences to condemn the nastiness of Reform.
Scots have a proud tradition of welcoming immigrants and they voted overwhelmingly against Brexit.
We have many problems in society but Reform does not provide any solutions.
Voters should not be fooled by Farage.
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