Recently the SNP announced they are setting up a indyref2 ‘task force’. Escalating their plans for indyref2 is rash and incredibly self-indulgent when the country is struggling through another lockdown.

Their shameless push for another referendum this year would wreck our recovery from the pandemic, diverting precious time away from fighting the virus and protecting jobs.

We cannot afford to be distracted by the constitutional debate. Another referendum is the last thing Scotland needs right now.

This news comes as the UK Government are deploying the armed forces to support the SNP’s patchy COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.

Nearly 100 personnel will be deployed to deliver 80 coronavirus centres across Scotland. Medical professionals warned vaccine targets were at risk of not being met due to distribution issues and extensive red tape.

Ongoing blunders and a lack of planning from the SNP have left them behind their own targets.

Vaccines are our best route to reducing restrictions, returning life closer to normal and rebuilding Scotland’s communities.

Cllr Alastair Redman - Kintyre and the Islands ward