This is exactly why govt complaints about this look more than a touch silly.

I think it varies by committee. Some of them also have reasonable newsletters/are better at keeping interested parties up to date with what they’re up to. But there are definitely times where even witnesses don’t have too much detail just a few days out.

(The motions have gone up literally while I was writing this thread - I assume that’s purely because of me mumping, you’re welcome - but that’s one single full working day for anyone that wants to make representations to their MSP on these debates to do so. Which sucks.)

But what it means is that MSPs contributing to debates have less time to write their contributions and almost no time to hear from people and organisations who are interested in the topic, resulting in less informed debate and less informed decisions. It is democratically unhealthy.

It could just be my perception but I think this is a problem that’s been getting worse and worse this session. Used to be you’d have about a week to see a motion and decide if you were going to brief and pull something together. That time is getting squeezed and squeezed and I don’t know why.

Generally speaking I think it’s recommended that you fight fire with water. Or foam.

Oh.

My problem was that it strips out all the bits - tackling, kicking, high balls - I’m good at. Plus, and maybe it was just the group I played with, but beating your opponent one on one was so hugely discouraged in favour of trying to create a two on one. Way too structured for me.

Touch is a deeply unsatisfying alternative, in my experience.