The National:

RICHARD Leonard is having a tough time appealing to anyone in Scotland at the moment, judging by recent polls.

Today in Holyrood, the Scottish Labour leader tried his best to promote his party to younger Scots.

In his question to the First Minister, after she had announced new strict coronavirus rules, Leonard pressed home the case for young workers.

How did he appeal to them? By referring to the Old Testament of course.

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The Scottish Labour chief began his response with a trendy reference to two ancient cities said to have been destroyed by fire and brimstone because their inhabitants were guilty of sin.

To the bemusement of MSPs, Leonard said: “The Scottish hospitality sector is not Sodom and Gomorrah and should not be treated as such.”

Even Scottish Tories thought the comments were outdated, which is really saying something.

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Leonard continued: “Why doesn’t the First Minister consider closing down those businesses which are not complying with guidance instead of shutting down every single business serving 70% of the population, including those which are fully complying?"

He demanded further evidence to justify a “blanket ban” on all such establishments, and asked the First Minister to explain how a £40 million mitigation fund will be allocated.

The Scottish Labour leader added: “Will she take into account that every single worker, as well as every single business, should be covered for all of their losses – including those young workers, many of whom are on minimum-hours or zero-hours contracts?”

See the First Minister’s response here.