Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has slammed the proposed Citizens’ Assembly as a pointless distraction from what should be the real work of the Scottish Government.
The Scottish Conservative MSP spoke after the remit of the Assembly was published by SNP ministers at Holyrood.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “The last thing the people of Moray need is a tax-payer funded talking shop designed to further the SNP’s obsession with independence.
“People here are concerned about the state of our education system, about whether they can get an appointment with a GP, how we can attract young people to stay and work here and how local transport links are supported.
“No one is the slightest bit interested in yet more debates about the constitution which is clearly what this so-called assembly is all about, judging by the comments of some SNP politicians.”
Mr Halcro Johnston also said that he was very unimpressed by the choice of its two conveners.
“The people selected are a Labour politician who failed to be re-elected to the European Parliament a few months ago, and someone who runs an arts organisation in Edinburgh.
“No doubt they are competent people, but what on earth have they to do with the concerns of the people I represent across the Highlands and Islands?
“As usual we are left wondering about the real priorities of an SNP Government increasingly divorced its day-job of looking after our public services.”