Snp's Agenda is "One Step Forward Then One Step Back"
Thu., September 03, 2009. 13:27.
The Scottish Parliament today debated the SNP's legislative programme for the year ahead, which includes twelve Bills on topics including a referendum on independence and an additional road bridge over the Forth. (1)
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"The SNP's programme for the year ahead contains some small sensible measures, a dose or two of pointless posturing, and next to no progress on social justice or the environment. The First Minister promises a lot, and no-one can doubt the confidence he has in himself, but the bills announced today are not an adequate response to the economic, social and environmental difficulties Scotland finds itself in.
"The SNP's legislative follow-up to the Climate Change Bill has just one element: the bridge Ministers wish to ram through the middle of it. As Scottish Ministers know, and as Labour are starting to realise, they cannot meet the 42% interim carbon reduction target set by this Parliament and simply continue with a transport policy straight from the 1960s.
"Parliament will also spend a little time debating the sole purpose of the SNP, a referendum on independence. There's a clear democratic principle here, that the people should decide, and even those who have a different view of Scotland's constitutional future must eventually accept the need to test their ideas in a referendum.
"On the environment and social justice the SNP take a small step forward then a giant stride backward and still try to call it progress. What's required is nothing less than the radical transformation in our society, our economy and our politics. It's clear from history that progressive and radical change happens because people demand it, not because Government offers it. This will be a crucial battle for Scotland's environmental credentials, one which will require grit and determination from all the campaigners who fought so tirelessly for that target."
Notes
1. The full programme is set out here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/01093322/0
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.