Boorish and Blinkered

Today's health and Social care committee was once again spoilt by a boorish convener who was so intent on conflict we at one point fell out over on something we were agreeing on!

In amongst the animosity oozing from the convener was a couple of good debates, one of which was the reports of the Council funded police officers. This was a plan begun by the Labour administration to fund addition officers to focus specifically on anti social behaviour issues. Recent numbers show that anti social behaviour crimes have dropped significantly where these officers are in place

Two things intrigue me about this. first; that the Libdems in particular are hailing this as a success when they consistently voted against budgets to increase the numbers of these officers. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, that you can spout all the number you like, people on the streets are not convinced that those streets are safer. This success story needs a completely different narrative but the SNP/Libdems fail to grasp that nettle and so this good news story is likely to not have the effect that it could have. Infact it is more likely to mean that folk are more cynical about political claims that bear little relationship to their experience