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Poll: should Covid lockdown powers be made permanent?

This poll is over 2 years old
 

Emergency Covid powers brought in by the Scottish Government to deal with the pandemic could become permanent – under plans revealed this week.

Ministers want to retain the power to order schools to close, impose lockdowns and operate virtual courts.

They say this will enable them to react more swiftly to further coronavirus developments or future pandemics.

Officials are seeking the public's views on removing the planned expiry date of March 2022 for many of the temporary measures, with Deputy First Minister John Swinney arguing that some of the changes have had a "demonstrable benefit to the people of Scotland".

This would ensure "ministers can respond effectively and rapidly to any future threats to public health in Scotland".

However, there have been misgivings expressed about sweeping powers remaining permanent – and outside the scrutiny of the Scottish Parliament.

That’s why we’re asking: what do you think?

Should the Scottish Government’s Covid powers be made permanent?

Vote now and join in the debate by leaving a comment.

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Voting in this poll has now closed
 

Comments

0 0
Iain
over 2 years ago

Authority for emergency powers should be sought from the Scottish Parliament whenever needed, to facilitate scrutiny. Embedding that authority within government powers is unnecessary, undemocratic and may ultimately be dangerous.

0 0
Iain
over 2 years ago

Authority for emergency powers should be sought from the Scottish Parliament whenever needed, to facilitate scrutiny. Embedding that authority within government powers is unnecessary, undemocratic and may ultimately be dangerous.

0 0
Sandra
over 2 years ago

There's no reason why The Scottish Parliament can't respond just as quickly by voting on restrictions on human rights due to a public health emergency. It's shocking that this is even being considered by government, a very dangerous and undemocratic precedent. An online referendum of the people would be even better.

0 0
ROB MCINTOSH
over 2 years ago

A better solution would probably be to 'bundle' these powers as a single 'pandemic response' which could then be quickly voted on by the Parliament as a non-debateable action plan. Given how the Tories seem happy to 'debate' anything good for Scotland it makes sense that they would not be able to try and waste time purely for the sake of it - fillibustering by another name

0 0
Carl Andersen
about 2 years ago

Diseases never rest and neither should restrictions. I have had enough of on and off mentality.

Commenting is now closed on this post