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| Greens debate possible coalition | Greens debate possible coalition |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish Green Party is considering its options over a power-sharing deal after next May's Holyrood elections. | The Scottish Green Party is considering its options over a power-sharing deal after next May's Holyrood elections. |
| Delegates are to discuss the issue at their annual conference in Edinburgh. | Delegates are to discuss the issue at their annual conference in Edinburgh. |
| Co-convener Robin Harper said they have not ruled anything in or out if they find themselves in a position to form a possible coalition. | Co-convener Robin Harper said they have not ruled anything in or out if they find themselves in a position to form a possible coalition. |
| He said he would be "disappointed" if they had fewer than 10 MSPs returned. The party currently holds seven seats in the Scottish Parliament. | |
| 'Nuclear power' | 'Nuclear power' |
| While the Greens are not ruling out a coalition, the party is studying a plan used by other minority parties. | While the Greens are not ruling out a coalition, the party is studying a plan used by other minority parties. |
| Under this scheme, the Greens would support another party in return for concessions to some of their policies. | Under this scheme, the Greens would support another party in return for concessions to some of their policies. |
| They would back that party in appointing a first minister and would not vote against the first minister's administration in a "no confidence" vote. | They would back that party in appointing a first minister and would not vote against the first minister's administration in a "no confidence" vote. |
| We want serious action on issues like climate change, not just warm words before an election Robin HarperScottish Green Party | We want serious action on issues like climate change, not just warm words before an election Robin HarperScottish Green Party |
| They would also support the annual budget, while trying to negotiate spending commitments. | They would also support the annual budget, while trying to negotiate spending commitments. |
| The party's sole pre-condition, without which talks with other parties would not even begin, would be a veto on any new nuclear power stations. | The party's sole pre-condition, without which talks with other parties would not even begin, would be a veto on any new nuclear power stations. |
| Mr Harper said: "Nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out, and we have not entered into any deal with any other party. | Mr Harper said: "Nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out, and we have not entered into any deal with any other party. |
| "We will stand on our own merit and we are confident our party will continue to attract increased support. | "We will stand on our own merit and we are confident our party will continue to attract increased support. |
| "We want serious action on issues like climate change, not just warm words before an election." | "We want serious action on issues like climate change, not just warm words before an election." |
| Radical overhaul | Radical overhaul |
| On Saturday, the conference backed a 10-page motion setting out the Greens' economic policy. | On Saturday, the conference backed a 10-page motion setting out the Greens' economic policy. |
| The motion passed by activists proposed a radical overhaul of taxation at both local and national level. | The motion passed by activists proposed a radical overhaul of taxation at both local and national level. |
| Among its provisions, council tax would be replaced by a land valuation tax, there would be reforms of income tax, inheritance tax, and capital gains tax, a "Citizen's Income" would be introduced, and National Insurance would be merged with income tax. | Among its provisions, council tax would be replaced by a land valuation tax, there would be reforms of income tax, inheritance tax, and capital gains tax, a "Citizen's Income" would be introduced, and National Insurance would be merged with income tax. |
| The party currently has seven MSPs at Holyrood | The party currently has seven MSPs at Holyrood |
| Under a "city tax", Greens would back local taxes of up to 10% on hotel, bar and restaurant bills to compensate cities for the cost of tourism. | Under a "city tax", Greens would back local taxes of up to 10% on hotel, bar and restaurant bills to compensate cities for the cost of tourism. |
| "Basic public services" in health, education, law and order, road and rail networks, would be brought under public control. | "Basic public services" in health, education, law and order, road and rail networks, would be brought under public control. |
| "Greens would end any administration of such crucial public services by private companies for profit," said the resolution. | "Greens would end any administration of such crucial public services by private companies for profit," said the resolution. |
| Distribution networks in water, gas, and electricity - considered to be monopolies - would also be brought under public control. | Distribution networks in water, gas, and electricity - considered to be monopolies - would also be brought under public control. |