All our MSPs are.. Missing Scottish Parliamentarians

'Let's have MSPs getting on with what we pay them to do'

- Ben Borland Scottish Express Editor

PUPILS across Scotland are now back in the classroom, as children aged from four to 17 start a new academic year.

AND yet, despite all this, members of the Scottish Parliament are still on their summer recess. In fact, the 129 MSPs aren’t required back at their expensively constructed offices at the foot of the Royal Mile until Tuesday, September 2.

Summer recess formally began on June 28, although in practice the session ended after First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, June 26. That is the best part of 10 weeks, incredibly.

Why do we expect young children, including five and six year olds, to return to school after six or (in some cases) seven weeks, and yet allow our MSPs to take nearly 10 weeks off every summer?

Of course, no sooner are our tireless tribunes back at their desks in the debating chamber (banging the polished wood and barking at each other like so many irritated seals) than they will be on another break for party conference season.