Greens Condemn Labour's 'Private Fiefdom'
Wed., August 27, 2003. 00:00.
Greens last night condemned those in the Labour Party who they say seem to want to run Scotland as 'a private fiefdom'.
Responding to the news that senior Labour figures want electoral reform for the Scottish Parliament, Green MSP Robin Harper said: 'Some in Scottish Labour seem to think that governing is a right rather than a privilege.
'Recent calls for changes in the election system would seem to indicate that Labour wants to run Scotland in perpetuity, no doubt with the same sort of results as their undemocratic dominance of so much of our local government.
'Labour seems to want to run Scotland as a private fiefdom.'
The party was insistent that the current, additional member system of selecting MSPs was the most democratic for the Scottish Parliament, delivering proportionality with accountability.
'It is worth reflecting on the process that devised the current electoral system for the Scottish Parliament. After great deliberation, the constitutional convention reached a conclusion which reflected the wishes of a wide cross-section of public life, including nearly all political parties. To undermine that now would be deeply foolish.'
'This is a clear sign that Labour realises that their stranglehold on Scottish politics is weakening and they are now attempting to gerrymander the results. However, I am confident that whatever electoral system they devise for national or regional government, Greens will continue to strengthen just as they are across Europe and the rest of the world.'
The Greens' recent proposal to the Electoral Commission was for a reduction in the number of constituency MSPs to keep it in line with the number of MPs and an increase in the proportional aspect of the AMS system, thereby keeping the current total number.
'Following the election, we now have a parliament which more accurately reflects the aspirations of voters, and the parties of the past are beginning to get nervous,' Mr Harper added.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, contact Jill Boulton at the Green MSPs' press office
on 0131 348 6360 / 07919 210 126.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.