Why does the SNP want to ban cats?
Forget Anas Sarwar - the SNP has discovered a new arch-enemy: cats. And no, I’m not talking about the ill-fated Cats film adaptation - though that might actually be worth banning. According to the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, our feline friends are wreaking havoc on Scotland's wildlife. They’re hunting for fun, torturing prey and dragging home maimed animals as grisly trophies. Who knew cats had such potential for violence? And, as if this weren’t enough, these pampered pusses are also threatening the Scottish wildcat population, ruthlessly disrupting their food supply.
So what’s the solution to this shocking scandal? Containment zones, of course. Under the plans, residents would be forced to keep their cats indoors - preserving Scotland's natural landscape. In some areas, the situation is so dire that even owning a cat could be banned. Sounds entirely sensible and not at all like a massive overreaction.
After their resounding defeat in the 2024 General Election, the SNP has clearly got its priorities in order. Forget public transport, unemployment, or education - no, no, no. Scotland must tackle the impending threat of rabid pet cats.
Admittedly, the SNP has distanced themselves from this plan, clarifying that they don't intend on banning cat ownership. But, the whole fiasco reveals something deeper about regional politics.
Devolved bodies, as rivals to central government, are especially prone to mission creep, constantly seeking to expand their power. And, Holyrood, currently run by a party whose very purpose is to displace Westminster entirely, is a prime example.
It has steadily tightened its grip on Scottish life, dictating everything from when people can drink to what they can say. As Christopher Snowdon put it, rather than banning things on a case-by-case basis, it would be simpler for Scotland to ban everything and publish a short list of exemptions.
Ultimately, when you create more politicians, you create more politics, not more solutions. And, local champions are no different from Westminster bigwigs - if anything they’re even more incompetent. Operating on smaller scales and competing in low-turnout, low-stakes elections, they often lack the resources, expertise, and scrutiny needed for effective governance.
As the UK weighs up proposals for yet more metro mayors, it's worth emphasising that politicians are at their best when they tread lightly on our lives. Good government should be lean and effective, laser-focused on delivering the essentials - leaving us, and our pets, free to enjoy ourselves.
