SNP councillor resigns over ‘damaging’ deal with the Greens

An SNP councillor has quit the party after details of the SNP-Green deal emerged last week.

Geva Blackett, who represents Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside on Aberdeenshire Council, said policy was being made with “little or no understanding” of the needs of rural communities.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Blackett expressed concern about potential job losses in the region because of the agreement.

She also criticised a lack of funding for Aberdeenshire, pointing to uncertainty over the future of Aboyne Hospital in particular.

Blackett said: “Many rural jobs are under threat and involvement from the Green Party … will no doubt see an agenda damaging to many of you pushed through to the statute book with no thought about the wider impact.

“On occasions I need to speak out against what is happening and that is impossible to do as an elected member of a party in government.”

The power-sharing deal announced on Friday includes investment in active travel, more support for renewables, the establishment of a Just Transition Fund, and enhanced tenant rights.

It will also see two Green MSPs become junior ministers.

But opponents of the deal described it as a “disaster” and accused the two parties of putting independence above other matters.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “This is a nationalist coalition of chaos focused on splitting up the country and dividing Scotland with another bitter referendum.”

And Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “This straitjacket deal covers all but a handful of issues, with the so-called Greens endorsing the SNP's dismal track record on everything from austerity to the environment.”

Blackett is to continue sitting as an independent councillor for Aberdeenshire Council.