Writing in the Daily Mail, columnist Stephen Daisley mocks Scottish First Minister John Swinney's newly unveiled programme for government, arguing that many of its flagship pledges are recycled promises from previous SNP administrations rather than genuinely new policy. He highlights commitments such as a new Monklands Hospital, closing the poverty-related attainment gap, and a misogyny Bill as having been announced repeatedly by successive SNP leaders including Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf without being delivered, framing the announcement as an exercise in repackaging old ideas as "reimagined" reform.

The piece also details reactions from opposition politicians, including Scottish Conservative MSP Malcolm Offord, who dubbed it "Groundhog Day" and criticised GP walk-in clinics, a food price cap and free book bags as gimmicks given Scotland's literacy problems, and Scottish Labour's Jackie Baillie, who suggested NHS restructuring plans resembled her own party's earlier proposals. Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay voiced disappointment that the programme omitted a conversion practices ban and stronger action on Israel and Palestine, including boycott legislation, though it does include a Gaza scholarship scheme for Palestinian students.