In Holyrood today, the Scottish Conservatives led a debate seeking to put the brakes on the named person legislation before it comes into force at the beginning of August.
Instead, an amendment by the SNP acknowledging there were concerns about the principles and implementation was voted through.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats – despite calling for a pause in the scheme during the recent election campaign – went soft on that position, refusing to back the Scottish Conservative motion.
It means the initiative will go ahead even though education secretary John Swinney’s amendment stated he “agrees that more must be done to ensure that implementation is successful and that the Scottish Government should, therefore, refresh the guidance provided to professionals and the communication of the policy to the public”.
The Scottish Conservatives continue to oppose the plans, as they have from the start, describing it as intrusive for family life and warning it will take resources away from those who need it most.
Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith said:
“This was a constructive solution to stop the intrusive and unpopular named person in its tracks.
“But instead of backing up what they said in the election about the need for a pause, Labour and the Liberal Democrats seem to have changed their mind again.
“Even the Scottish Government has admitted there are issues with this policy.
“We remain utterly opposed to this legislation, as do many professionals, experts and parents.
“Today was about trying to address the concerns of those people.
“But it seems once again the Scottish Conservatives are the only ones to stand against this damaging idea.”