THE job of an effective opposition is to bring to Parliament the lived experiences of communities — to confront government with the facts and the realities about what is happening outside the parliamentary bubble.

That’s why we have raised ongoing concerns over personal protective equipment to ensure people are cared for effectively and are treated fairly. We have repeatedly questioned the First Minister about the grim realities facing Scotland’s care homes and the toll this has taken on carers too.

We have shone a light on the human rights erosion faced by Scotland’s most vulnerable people, with the SNP government now under pressure from the Scottish Human Rights Commission. The facts and realities from the real world were graphically illustrated last week when two trade union delegations lobbied the Scottish Parliament.