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Aircraft Carriers
Latest News. Wed., June 25, 2008. 12:52.
Debate over aircraft carriers misses the point
Greens today argued that UK Government plans to spend £4 billion on two aircraft carriers should be opposed, no matter where they are to be built, and the engineering expertise on the Clyde should be redirected toward alternative industries such as marine renewables. Following the end of the Cold War, promises were made of a "peace dividend", yet substantial amounts of taxpayers' money continues to be squandered on military equipment designed in the Ministry of Defence's own words to provide "a coercive presence worldwide". (1)
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"All too often, the debate is simply about which part of the country gets the defence money spent on it, with no-one else apparently prepared to make the case that this would be £4 billion thoroughly mis-spent. These ships are intended only to extend British air power abroad, providing 'a coercive presence worldwide'. They have no role in peace-keeping or other legitimate international operations.
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Older News
- Wed., June 25, 2008. 12:49.
- Labour U-turn
- Labour u-turn on buses welcomed
- The Scottish Greens today welcomed the proposal by Labour to bring forward a bill on bus re-regulation, which follows a vote in Parliament two weeks ago which backed a Green amendment on the issue. (1) It remains to be seen whether the specific proposals will deliver the affordable and widely available bus services Scotland needs, but Greens will campaign inside and outside Parliament to get the best deal for bus users. [full story]
- Fri., June 20, 2008. 12:35.
- Carbon Cost of Roads
- True Carbon Cost of Roads Revealed
- Green MSPs have obtained figures which show that the Scottish road-building programme will increase carbon dioxide emissions by more than a quarter of a million tonnes. More than 50% of the increase will be caused by the M74 Northern Extension, which Greens have led the campaign against. (1) [full story]
- Wed., June 18, 2008. 16:13.
- Ministerial Code
- New Ministerial Code “full of loopholes”
- Today's First Ministerial statement on the Ministerial Code shows that the SNP administration remains as resistant to external and independent scrutiny of their actions as their predecessors were. Greens have been challenging the Ministerial Code since 2003, when Jack McConnell pre-empted a Public Inquiry in the Chamber just days before it opened, clearly bringing the planning system into disrepute. (1) [full story]
- Wed., June 18, 2008. 11:30.
- Alcohol Licensing
- Blanket measures on drink “disproportionate and misguided”
- The Scottish Greens today criticised SNP proposals around alcohol licensing as "both disproportionate and misguided". (1) Greens object to the proposed blanket increase in the legal age for off-sales alcohol purchases to 21, arguing instead for specific measures to be agreed locally where problem drinking is identified. Greens also remain to be convinced on the proposals for fixed prices, bans on drinks promotions, and additional taxation on retailers. The Party proposes that communities instead be empowered to make local changes through the existing Local Licensing Forums. (2) Patrick Harvie MSP said: [full story]
- Fri., June 13, 2008. 12:12.
- Nuclear Anniversaries
- Nuclear anniversaries to be marked
- Protesters at Faslane tomorrow will mark the first anniversary of the first successful Parliamentary vote in Britain against nuclear weapons, and the fortieth anniversary of the first nuclear submarine patrol from Faslane. The protest also comes 50 years after the first Aldermaston march against Britain's weapons programme. (1) [full story]
Forthcoming events
- Sat., September 20, 2008. – Sun., September 21, 2008.
- Scottish Green Party Conference 2008
- Conference 20-21 September 2008, Glasgow