The SNP’s hated named person scheme has been ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. The UK’s most senior judges said this morning that the legislation breached rights to privacy and a family life. It signals a major victory for campaigners, who have joined the Scottish Conservatives in opposing the policy from the outset.
The Party repeatedly warned appointing everyone in Scotland under the age of 18 a named person, such as a teacher or social worker, was intrusive and would divert help away from those who need it most. And despite professionals and families expressing their disgust at the idea, the SNP – with the backing of Labour and the Liberal Democrats – pressed ahead with the plan, which was due to launch by the end of August. However, the Scottish Conservatives have now said ministers must heed the ruling and scrap the scheme altogether.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “This is an important ruling by the most senior court in the land. It’s a victory for campaigners who have exposed this from the outset as illiberal, invasive and deeply flawed. Simply put, the SNP does not know better than parents when it comes to raising their children.
“We have consistently argued against the named person legislation on grounds of principle and practicality. I hope today’s ruling will make the SNP stop and think again.
“If the Scottish Government arrogantly tries to implement this anyway – as it has threatened to do – it will face a heavy reckoning from Scottish parents who rightly want to be able to raise their children without state interference.”
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith said: “I think every parent and professional in the land will believe this is a victory for common sense. From day one, this policy has been seriously flawed, both in its fundamental principles and in its delivery on the front line. It was illiberal, unworkable and completely unnecessary and, as we saw during the recent Scottish election campaign, deeply unpopular across Scotland.
“The public were, rightly, very concerned about the level of intrusion into family life, the scope for sharing confidential information without parental consent and the certainty of diverting resources away from the most vulnerable children. Clearly the judges agreed that the policy had serious failings. Now the SNP must take heed and learn the lesson of what happens when it tries to push the boundaries of the state too far.”