This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7857232.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Lib Dems offer new budget support | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The Liberal Democrats want discussions with the Scottish Government about what concessions might gain their support for a revised budget. | |
Party leader Tavish Scott has hinted he might be prepared to drop his party's demand for a 2p cut in income tax. | |
Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens combined to vote down the £33bn budget proposals on Wednesday. | |
The minority SNP government will seek to resume talks with rival parties in an attempt to find common ground. | The minority SNP government will seek to resume talks with rival parties in an attempt to find common ground. |
SNP ministers hope to reach a deal to have a new budget adopted in February. | SNP ministers hope to reach a deal to have a new budget adopted in February. |
Mr Scott told BBC Radio Scotland: "We need to move forward and build a better budget for Scotland. | |
"I recognise the situation we are now in. | |
He was asked whether he could support a budget not including the Liberal Democrats demand for a 2p tax cut. | |
Mr Scott replied: "Obviously we'd like to make that argument, but we want to be constructive about this - we are where we are now. | |
"The government have got to get a budget through in short order, but we can certainly make progress if we get round the table and have a real discussion about finding a way to make this budget respond to the challenges this country faces." | |
First Minister Alex Salmond said he would not rule out an election if a second attempt to get the budget through was rejected. Q&A: Scottish budget rejection | |
Labour's Iain Gray told BBC Scotland it was not too late to sort a budget out: "There is time for the SNP to bring a budget which commands the support of the parliament. | |
"That was always the case." | |
Tavish Scott said he did not believe an election was on the cards: "It would be important to recognise that the first minister is not the prime minister, nor is Alex Salmond the Queen. | |
"In our parliamentary system there can be a period of time before another first minister is chosen. | |
"But I don't think any of that will happen. I think it's all fantasy politics and what we should get on with is sorting out a budget for Scotland." | |
Last-minute concessions | Last-minute concessions |
The 2009-10 budget fell on Wednesday evening on the casting vote of Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson, after a 64-64 tie. | |
The presiding officer said he was required by convention to support the status quo. | The presiding officer said he was required by convention to support the status quo. |
The Conservatives and independent MSP Margo MacDonald voted for the spending plans. | The Conservatives and independent MSP Margo MacDonald voted for the spending plans. |
But despite ministers offering last-minute concessions, talks between the SNP and the opposing parties broke down just before the vote on Wednesday evening. | But despite ministers offering last-minute concessions, talks between the SNP and the opposing parties broke down just before the vote on Wednesday evening. |
MSPs could now be asked to vote on a new budget on 19 February, although the timetable could be speeded up with the backing of other parties. | MSPs could now be asked to vote on a new budget on 19 February, although the timetable could be speeded up with the backing of other parties. |
Salmond is prepared to resubmit the budget | Salmond is prepared to resubmit the budget |
The first minister said the Budget Bill would be resubmitted. | The first minister said the Budget Bill would be resubmitted. |
Mr Salmond said: "Given the circumstances we should try again and we are prepared to do that. | Mr Salmond said: "Given the circumstances we should try again and we are prepared to do that. |
"We have already resubmitted it through the budget process and recommended a timetable which will bring it to decision in mid-February if MSPs give up the first week of their February holiday, which I think would be a good idea under the circumstances." | "We have already resubmitted it through the budget process and recommended a timetable which will bring it to decision in mid-February if MSPs give up the first week of their February holiday, which I think would be a good idea under the circumstances." |
However, he accepted that if the government's budget has no likelihood of being approved "at some stage... it can't be a government." | However, he accepted that if the government's budget has no likelihood of being approved "at some stage... it can't be a government." |
"And at some stage the people of Scotland, looking in on this process, will want to have their say," Mr Salmond continued. | "And at some stage the people of Scotland, looking in on this process, will want to have their say," Mr Salmond continued. |
"Under those circumstances, if there was a deadlock or a stalemate, if the parliamentary processes were exhausted, then surely it would be time to take our case to the country." | "Under those circumstances, if there was a deadlock or a stalemate, if the parliamentary processes were exhausted, then surely it would be time to take our case to the country." |
If Mr Salmond quit as first minister, MSPs would have 28 days to appoint a successor before a general election was called. | If Mr Salmond quit as first minister, MSPs would have 28 days to appoint a successor before a general election was called. |