50-50

Today saw the announcement of Nicola Sturgeon's new Scottish cabinet.  For the first time, the cabinet has an equal divide between the genders, 50% female and 50% male.  Ms Sturgeon said that this demonstrates the Scottish government's commitment to equality and gender balance, and it certainly sets a great example.

Labour's spokesperson, Jackie Baillie, offered her congratulations and welcomed the fact that there was a 50-50 split between the genders.  She then promptly made it all about Labour by demanding that the new cabinet begin supporting Labour policies on social justice in order to tackle the problems the previous cabinet have left behind, as if Labour's policies are the only possible solutions.  Indeed some might say that some of their policies when last in office were the cause of some of the problems.  Labour, of course, could have gone 50-50 on these when they were last in office.  They did not.  When (if) they are next in power, they could even try phoning a friend.   Sadly they have precious few of those left in Scotland.