Exclusive:SNP MSP candidate 'openly defied' John Swinney over World Cup holiday
Gary Bouse, who is standing in Falkirk West, was among SNP Falkirk councillors who voted against granting the additional public holiday at a budget meeting
An SNP MSP candidate has “openly defied” John Swinney over Scotland’s World Cup holiday.
Gary Bouse, who is standing to replaced disgraced former health secretary Michael Matheson in Falkirk West, was among SNP Falkirk councillors who voted against granting the additional public holiday at a budget meeting.
The First Minister said Monday, June 15 should be made a national holiday and it was later approved by the King.
But the SNP-run Falkirk Council is among many which have gone against the FM’s wishes.
The Scotland men’s football team plays Haiti in Boston at 2am UK time on Sunday, June 14 in its first World Cup match since 1998.
Scottish Government employees will get the Monday off. But it is up to individual employers - including councils - whether they do the same.
Falkirk councillors agreed with a recommendation from officials not to give an extra day’s holiday at a budget meeting last week.
This is because it would cost around £130,000 to cover frontline services, with the full cost of granting the holiday at £260,000.
Despite the holiday being a Scottish Government policy, councils have had to stump up the cash.
Labour MP for Falkirk Euan Stainbank said: “This decision shows SNP councillors – including Councillor Gary Bouse who is hoping to be elected as one of John Swinney’s MSPs in May – openly defying the policy of the SNP Government in Holyrood.
“The First Minister announced this policy without providing a penny in funding needed for councils to implement it. When SNP councillors in Falkirk were asked to pick up the bill they defied him last week.”
Falkirk is among several councils which have gone against the SNP government’s holiday decision.
Mr Bouse has represented the Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst ward on Falkirk Council since 2017.
He previously held responsibility for finance and is the current housing spokesperson.
He was selected as the SNP candidate for Falkirk West last year.
Sitting MSP and former cabinet minister Michael Matheson has been the area’s MSP since 2007, having been a list MSP for the previous eight years. He announced in March last year that he would not be standing for re-election.
The ex-health secretary was forced to resign after he initially tried to get the taxpayer to foot the bill for an £11,000 data roaming charge racked up on his official iPad.
An SNP spokesperson for the Falkirk group said: “Decisions on bank holidays are delegated to local authorities. Falkirk Council’s was a whole council decision and aligns with the view taken by most local authorities.
“Perhaps if Mr Stainbank concerned himself more with the disastrous policies of his own Prime Minister and government, he would stand by his principles publicly rather than bothering himself with telling tales and trying to grab headlines."
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