SNP MPs have been mocked for wasting time on trivial issues while their party announces tax hikes north of the border.
MPs for the pro-independence party have launched a new campaign to get Rishi Sunak to “acknowledge the contribution of the idea of Santa Claus to Christmas”.
The oddly worded mission statement details demands from 10 of the party’s Westminster MPs that parliament should “recognise the importance of Santa Claus to children”.
It was created by Owen Thompson MP, the SNP’s Chief Whip in Westminster and the man in charge of telling its MPs how to vote.
The Early Day Motion echoes stunts by the Irish PM and the US Pentagon.
Last week Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told parliament that Father Christmas had been granted official permission to enter Irish airspace with his sleigh and reindeer to deliver presents.
Meanwhile the Pentagon’s press secretary told a journalists’ briefing that while details of assets and personnel involved in the escorting of Santa is “controlled, unclassified information” he could “assure you we will ensure Santa gets wherever he needs to go, safely and security”.
The frivolous activities of the SNP’s MPs down south prompted criticism from the Scottish Tories, who contrasted their behaviour to that of the Scottish Government.
On a day the SNP’s finance secretary unveiled huge tax rises for working people, Tory MSP Annie Wells told the Express: “SNP MPs may claim to love Santa but their party’s finance secretary at Holyrood is modelling herself on Scrooge by hammering Scottish taxpayers and councils in an effort to fill the £1.5billion black hole in her budget”.
This afternoon the Scottish Government’s finance secretary Shona Robinson announced a new tax band for those earning £75,000 to £125,140.
The new “advanced” rate will see those unlucky enough to fall within the band taxed at 45 percent.
Ms Robinson also announced an increase in the 47p rate that targets those earning over £125,140, who will now pay 48p.
Despite attempting to close a £1.5billion black hole, the crippling tax hikes will raise just £60million.
One X user criticised the SNP for being so “babyish and trivial” at a time when “people are suffering through poverty, discrimination & war”.
While the SNP is getting in the festive mood, Penny Mordaunt recently won plaudits for a Christmassy take-down of the party in the Commons, ridiculing them with a mock version of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
“I think we should have a festive round-up on SNP morality: 12 hours of police questioning, 11 grand roaming charges, 10 years without school inspections, nine sham embassies, eight years of poor child mental health, seven years without ferries, six years shirking welfare powers…”
“£500million overspent on Edinburgh’s tram.
“£4million to install a heat pump, three high-profile arrests, two overseas jollies, and a dodgy Jaguar EV.”
She described her SNP Commons opponent as being the “gift that keeps on giving”.
