A Borders Tory Parliamentarian's decision to send constituents a survey form asking whether they were satisfied with the service from local hospitals and the NHS as the Covid-19 pandemic rages has been condemned as "crass" and "fishing for moans" on social media.
Rachael Hamilton, Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire, circulated her so-called Parliamentary Report 2019-2020 to thousands of households last week.
The publication, the cost of which was met from Scottish Parliament resources, includes a full page survey form including the following question: "In your opinion, what should the Scottish Government's number one priority be?"
Her constituents, and others who received the pamphlet (apparently at least one document found its way to Aberdeen) are also asked: "Are you satisfied with the service from local hospitals and the NHS?" and "Are you satisfied with current GP provision in your area?"
Other survey sections cover satisfaction ratings with local schools and whether the budget supplied to Police Scotland by the Scottish Government is adequate.
The small print at the foot of the survey page page declares: "The personal data provided in this survey is to inform my parliamentary work and will not be shared with third parties including campaign or political organisations".
But the circulation of Mrs Hamilton's survey via Royal Mail at such a sensitive time appears to have sparked fury, as The Daily Mail might say in such circumstances.
Jim Ramage asked in a Facebook post: "Is it just me or do others find the, recently delivered, survey from Rachael Hamilton : a) a piece of opportunistic nonsense: b) a waste of money: c) glibly endangering of our Postie.
"Surely questions need to be asked regarding this piece of
political theatre, at a time when we are supposed to be working together for
the greater good."
According to another of the posts on social media: "Poorly timed, looking for a stick to beat the government with, putting a strain on the postal service, putting postal workers further at risk."
While another contributor wrote: "Talk about inappropriate timing! To be honest I think the answers she gets will convey that!" while another poster claimed: "Fishing for moans. Not helpful at all just now."
Gail Henry, former SNP candidate for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire, who stood against Mrs Hamilton at a 2017 by-election explained in her Facebook post: "She will have booked her slot long before the lockdown as it takes many, many weeks to get these things ready. But you do think her staff should have postponed once we all saw what was coming."
And Mr Ramage added: "Whilst these things require a fairly long lead time, they can be postponed/ cancelled at a moment's notice. Problem with the latter is that it requires an understanding and degree of empathy with the problems it causes, particularly for posties."
On a lighter note one poster declared: "Goodness me. I didn't even bother to look at it - went straight from the doormat into the recycling, after which I washed my hands, singing one verse plus chorus of A' Bhainis a bha 'n Ciostal Odhar."
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