Election Call
Thu., June 11, 2009. 11:08.
Greens brand election debate "fear and loathing at Holyrood"
The Scottish Greens criticised today's Conservative Party motion calling for a UK General Election, and rejected the morning's contributions from across the Chamber partisan point-scoring.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
Parliament today was on its worst behaviour, with Labour, Tory and Nationalist politicians wasting a morning on petty student union debating points and cheap insults. This was a cynical debate from a Tory party that cares only about gaining power, not about reforming our political system.
Today's debate vividly demonstrated what now motivates so much of the chamber - Labour's fear of the final electoral verdict, and the loathing and division these parties thrive on. This fear and loathing at Holyrood is no basis for political reform, and is a poor substitute for the revitalised Parliament of minorities the Scottish people chose in 2007.
There's little point having an election under the same flawed electoral system and with the same discredited expenses scheme still in place. We would simply be rushing from one dodgy UK Government to another, and exposing politics to yet deeper levels of disillusionment and alienation.
The SNP may think that hastening a period of Tory rule helps them achieve their core objective, their only objective, but however flawed Labour are, the Tories are surely not the answer. Scotland and the rest of the UK deserve better.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.