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Harvie against 'unilateral' move for independence | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Patrick Harvie has ruled out supporting any move for Scotland to unilaterally declare independence. | |
Speaking at the Scottish Green Party conference in Inverness, the party's co-leader said independence was "a decision for the Scottish people". | |
His comments come after some in the SNP suggested winning a majority of Scottish seats in a UK general election would be enough. | |
Mr Harvie said he believed there was a mandate for a second referendum. | |
Mr Harvie told the conference: "I think Scotland's future is as an independent country, part of the European family of nations. | |
"I think that's coming, maybe sooner than some of our critics want it. | |
"The fundamental thing about that, though, is that's a decision for the people of Scotland to make, on their time-scale. | |
"Independence can, and only will, be delivered in a democratic manner, that's the kind of Scotland I want to live in." | |
'Already a mandate' | |
Mr Harvie added that he would not want to live in a country that "forced" independence on people. | |
"It has to be a choice, it has to be, and I think will be, a democratic choice that the people of Scotland decide to make. | |
"They'll do it on their terms, not anyone else's." | |
Mr Harvie said there was already a mandate to hold a second independence referendum and the refusal of the UK government to grant one could result in an even bigger majority of pro-independence parties returning to Holyrood in 2021. | |
"If the UK government refuses it, I think the people of Scotland will deliver another parliament that re-asserts that mandate and woe betide any UK government that continues to refuse to respect that democratic will," he said. | |
Also at the conference, the Scottish Greens unveiled their top two candidates standing in Scotland's eight regions at the 2021 election. | |
All the party's MSPs have been reselected apart from John Finnie, who has announced his retirement. | All the party's MSPs have been reselected apart from John Finnie, who has announced his retirement. |
Co-leader Patrick Harvie tops the Glasgow list, followed by Dennistoun councillor Kim Long, while Alison Johnstone and Andy Wightman are followed by co-leader Lorna Slater in the Lothian list. | Co-leader Patrick Harvie tops the Glasgow list, followed by Dennistoun councillor Kim Long, while Alison Johnstone and Andy Wightman are followed by co-leader Lorna Slater in the Lothian list. |
Ross Greer in West Scotland is followed by Carolynn Scrimgeour, while Mid Scotland and Fife will see Mags Hall follow Mark Ruskell. | Ross Greer in West Scotland is followed by Carolynn Scrimgeour, while Mid Scotland and Fife will see Mags Hall follow Mark Ruskell. |
The Central region list is topped by Gillian Mackay followed by Rosemary McGowan and the South of Scotland list will have Laura Moodie and Barbra Harvie at the top. | The Central region list is topped by Gillian Mackay followed by Rosemary McGowan and the South of Scotland list will have Laura Moodie and Barbra Harvie at the top. |
Former co-convener Maggie Chapman tops the list for the North East, followed by Guy Ingerson. | Former co-convener Maggie Chapman tops the list for the North East, followed by Guy Ingerson. |
'Positive future' | 'Positive future' |
The party is concerned at the lack of short-term measures to significantly cut Scotland's carbon footprint and will say this is why more Green MSPs are needed to push for a Scottish Green New Deal. | |
Co-leader Lorna Slater told the conference: "It takes courage to stand up and say things are going to change. We need to do politics and power differently. | |
"We need to expect courage from our leaders... the Scottish Green New deal is the foundation for fundamental changes in where power and decision-making lie in Scotland and it describes the positive future for Scotland that we'd like to see for our kids and grandkids." | "We need to expect courage from our leaders... the Scottish Green New deal is the foundation for fundamental changes in where power and decision-making lie in Scotland and it describes the positive future for Scotland that we'd like to see for our kids and grandkids." |
She added: "The Holyrood campaign starts here, today. I'm so proud of our candidates. We really can get a bigger Green group elected than ever before." | She added: "The Holyrood campaign starts here, today. I'm so proud of our candidates. We really can get a bigger Green group elected than ever before." |