SNP and Greens Publish Co-operation Agreement
Fri., May 11, 2007. 12:31.
Climate change placed at the heart of government
Robin Harper
The SNP and Scottish Green Party today (Friday) published their Agreement on common action in the new Parliament. The Cooperation Agreement will pursue a progressive programme which puts a commitment to tackling climate change at the heart of its agenda.
The SNP and Green Party have committed to working together to enact early legislation to reduce climate-change pollution each year, and to opposing the building of new nuclear power stations.
The Agreement also includes provision for the Green MSPs to support the SNP in the votes for First Minister and Ministerial appointments, and for a Green MSP to be nominated as Convener for a subject committee for which the SNP is the nominating party.
SNP Leader Mr Alex Salmond MSP said:
"This is a serious and important co-operation Agreement that will set the tone for the four years of this Parliament. The Scottish Greens represent a substantial body of opinion in Scotland, regardless of MSP numbers. Their formula for cooperation across parties short of formal coalition is an excellent example of the consensus we are seeking to build in the Parliament, and sets a positive tone for the incoming government.
"If elected as First Minister, I look forward to working with the Scottish Green Party, and indeed other parties, to build a more successful Scotland by putting vital issues such as tackling climate change at the heart of our agenda to take Scotland forward."
Robin Harper, the Greens co-convener, said:
"I am proud to have signed this agreement today. We have between uslaid the foundations for a progressive new politics for Scotland. These constructive discussions have identified many shared objectives, including blocking nuclear power, tackling climate change, and extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
"This is the beginning of a process, and we will work positively with the SNP administration on issues of broad agreement. There remain significant policy differences between the two parties, however, and on those issues the Greens will continue to promote our distinctive policies."
Notes
1 The original intention of both parties was to establish a stable majority in Parliament for a shared programme of government, either under formal coalition or a "confidence and supply" arrangement. However, without a legislative majority these can not yet be constructed. The political cooperation agreement finalised today therefore includes the following:
a. In making a commitment to promote more constructive politics, the SNP and the Scottish Green Party will work together to build a nuclear-free Scotland and put legislation in place early in the new parliament for binding annual cuts in carbon emissions. b. Both parties have long believed that Scotland can be more successful with independence, and will work to extend the responsibilities of the Scottish Parliament, always trusting the people to decide their constitutional future. c. The Scottish Green Party will back Alex Salmond in the election for First Minister, now expected next week d. The SNP will nominate a Scottish Green Party MSP as convener of a subject Committee in the Scottish Parliament.
Both parties believe the agreement sets an example for the new Parliament of parties working constructively together, seeking consensus and agreement, to deliver a progressive agenda for Scotland. Both Parties will consider further opportunities to work together co-operatively, as other policy issues arise. The agreement sets the tone for co-operation between all parties willing to work constructively.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.