Scottish Greens rule out electoral pact with SNP

The Scottish Greens have ruled out an electoral pact with the SNP at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.

A motion on the issue was passed overwhelmingly by delegates at the party’s autumn conference in Inverness on Sunday.

The Scottish Greens highlighted their different attitudes to tackling climate change, noting that fringe events at SNP conference were sponsored by Heathrow Airport and BP.

They accused the SNP of “[selling] out to oil companies”.

Closing the party’s conference, Scottish Green lead candidate for the Highlands and Islands Ariane Burgess said: “Only the Greens have what it takes to deliver the transformative change that is needed in the face of the climate emergency.

“And if you want any proof, just look at SNP conference that is opening today.

“Brought to you by Heathrow Airport and BP, one of the biggest polluters in the world ever.

“Yet more proof that the SNP’s rhetoric and eye-catching but distant targets are window-dressing, serving only to stave off criticism.

“For all their talk of change, they are the party of the status quo.

“And while the SNP sell out to oil companies, we have worked together to develop a bold and visionary prospectus to offer the people of Scotland.

“The Scottish Green New Deal is our plan to address the climate emergency.

“Our plan to give everyone in Scotland a warm, affordable and zero-carbon home.

“To put public transport in the public hands, and to help people get walking and cycling by refocusing our towns and cities on people rather than cars.

“To rebuild the public sector by creating publicly owned banks and energy companies.

“To deliver a green industrial revolution.”