Rail plan should expand station network, not cut it

For immediate release 26 January 2012

Ahead of a debate on Glasgow's stations and the Scottish Government's 'Rail 2014' plan, Greens have called for the Transport Minister to rule out any station closures in Glasgow.

Greens have previously described the package of ideas in the Government’s plan as a ‘third-class shambles’, and have questioned the impact of the proposals on train fares, timetables and overcrowding.

Patrick Harvie MSP, Green MSP for Glasgow, said:

"The Scottish Government has needlessly raised fears across Scotland, and especially in Glasgow, that stations will be closed because of an arbitrary one-mile limit. Ministers must not ignore the need for excellent connectivity within our large cities, as well as between them.

"Our dense urban areas deserve an accessible, convenient rail network, and that means adding new stations and reopening those lost over the years. 2014 offers Scotland a rare opportunity to start building a rail network fit for the 21st century, and if Ministers want to bring ambition to that task they will focus on the investment that’s needed in the network, instead of stirring up worries of a repeat of the vandalism of the 1960s, when stations were closed and services scrapped."

A good day to bury a bad budget

For immediate release 25 January 2012

Commenting on today's Scottish budget debate, Greens have expressed concern that this important debate has coincided with the First Minister's 'international press conference' on the referendum consultation.

Green MSPs have repeated their calls for a reversal to the counterproductive cuts to Scotland's colleges, housing, public transport and active travel budgets at the same time as a huge increase in funding for motorways.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

"Today's budget debate will receive a fraction of the coverage that it deserves, and I question why the Scottish Government has chosen to organise its agenda in this way. It's a bad budget, and it deserve full attention and scrutiny at every stage.

"John Swinney's rhetoric on achieving broad agreement on this budget would be more credible if he acknowledged the many voices condemning his cuts to colleges and sustainable transport. The SNP risks snuffing out their 'progressive beacon' if they choose to fund misguided capital projects such as the Aberdeen bypass rather than investing in young people and a low-carbon transport system."

Referendum should spark an era of radical Scottish democracy

For immediate release 25 January 2012

The Scottish Green Party today welcomed the publication of the independence referendum consultation, and called for the coming months of civic debate to act as testbed for a more inclusive way of doing politics in Scotland.

Greens have welcomed the role of the Electoral Commission, and repeated their call for the UK Government to give ground and withdraw their opposition to allowing 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the referendum.

Patrick Harvie MSP has today asked the First Minister to confirm that any negotiations regarding the transition to an independent Scotland would leave no room for a deal on Trident remaining in Scotland.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

"I welcome this consultation and the opportunity for a genuine discussion on how, over the coming years, we can engage in an effective and fair way with all Scots on the future of our constitution and our democracy. Greens have a vision of a more radical democracy in Scotland, with far greater levels of discussion and decision making at community level. Our hope is that the debate over independence will spark a new enthusiasm for people taking control over the future of our country and our communities.

"The draft bill published today gives the Scottish Parliament a real chance to prove its ability to work constructively and design a referendum that is fair and decisive. I welcome the move to accept the oversight of the Electoral Commission by the Scottish Government. Now it's time for Westminster to give ground and allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote. Young adults of this age can be sent to war - how can it possibly be just to deny them a vote on what type of country theirs is in the world?     

"The First Minister is right to say that an independent Scotland could rid itself of the presence of nuclear weapons. But we need to go further: no Scottish Government, either before the referendum or after it, should be able to do a deal with the UK to retain Trident on our shores."

"There are many people who want to vote Yes, who came to support independence on the nuclear issue alone. We must not betray them by leaving the door open to nuclear weapons in Scotland. That door must be locked forever."

Aberdeen Greens publish Union Terrace Gardens statement

For immediate release 22 January 2012

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Green Party has today published its 300-word statement for the Union Terrace Gardens referendum.*

 The Green Party is one of seven organisations which will have statements included in the referendum ballot mailing in support of retaining Union Terrace Gardens.

As the statements will appear in alphabetic order, the Green Party's statement will be the first on the side of retaining Union Terrace Gardens.

Green Party branch vice-convenor Rhonda Reekie said:

"Union Terrace Gardens are an important part of Aberdeen City Centre. We want to see the existing Gardens improved and upgraded, a
 revitalised green space in the heart of the city.

"The Green Party has been strongly opposed to the City Garden Project from the start. It is unnecessary, unaffordable and unpopular."

* The Green Party's referendum statement:

Vote to retain Union Terrace Gardens!

The City Garden Project is an unaffordable scheme that has already been rejected in two public consultations.

Far from Sir Ian Wood 'giving' £50 million, he is asking others to pay £90 million to build his pet project. There are much better things to do with £90 million.

If a new civic space is to be created, surely the right place is opposite Marischal College on the site of St Nicholas House?

Some money should be spent on the existing Union Terrace Gardens. Improvements, such as better access, are needed. Vote to keep the Gardens and, with the help of the Friends of Union Terrace Gardens, these improvements can be brought forward.

Union Terrace Gardens are a key feature of Aberdeen city centre. They form the setting for some of Aberdeen's best buildings.

The Gardens contain many fine mature trees which help reduce air pollution.

If the Gardens are built over, a green space in the city centre, part of Aberdeen's heritage, will be lost for ever. And we will all be the poorer for it.

Apart from some developers, few people will benefit economically from building the City Garden Project.

It is clear most Aberdonians are not convinced by the City Garden Project. An extensive public consultation in 2010 showed a majority wanted to retain Union Terrace Gardens but have them improved. The backers of the City Garden Project decided to ignore public opinion.

In 2011, the public's views were sought on six possible designs for the City Garden Project. Again the consultation results were ignored. 

This time, the Council will have to listen. Please add your voice to the thousands who have already spoken up for Aberdeen's heritage.

Vote 'Retain Union Terrace Gardens'.

Greens condemn "spare change" from Swinney

For immediate release 20 January 2012

Green MSP Patrick Harvie responded to the publication of the Scottish budget today, saying:

"We have called on the Government to make serious commitments on further education, on sustainable transport, and on funding their own climate change policies. On all of these, we see warm words on paper but little of substance being done.

"On sustainable transport, the SNP are trying to pretend that the spare change from their multi-billion pound roadbuilding programme will make a difference. It just won't wash.

"I'm dismayed by the complete lack of progress on other priorities. There is still time for the SNP to address the urgent needs of FE students and colleges, and to fully fund the climate change programme instead of blowing billions of pounds on building 20th century infrastructure."