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/6629775.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Coalition talks get green light Lib Dems will not do Labour deal
(about 1 hour later)
The Scottish Green Party has agreed in principle to open talks with the SNP on the formation of a new government. The Liberal Democrats have ruled out a coalition deal with Labour in the Scottish Parliament.
The Lib Dems' Tavish Scott told BBC Scotland that if his party was not able to share power with the SNP, it would be on the backbenches.
The Nationalists, with 47 MSPs, are now the largest Holyrood party.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Green Party has agreed in principle to open talks with the Nationalists on the formation of a new government.
The Greens, who have two MSPs, said there was no barrier to co-operating with Alex Salmond's party and have not ruled out a formal coalition deal.The Greens, who have two MSPs, said there was no barrier to co-operating with Alex Salmond's party and have not ruled out a formal coalition deal.
The two parties would have a combined strength of 49 MSPs, which is well short of the 65 required to command a majority at Holyrood. The two parties would have a combined strength of 49 MSPs - well short of the 65 required to command a majority at Holyrood.
The Nationalists, with 47 MSPs, are the largest Holyrood party. Alex Salmond has to show he is capable of and has the character to be the leader of a new government, if he is to form one Jack McConnellScottish Labour leader
Meanwhile, First Minister Jack McConnell told BBC Scotland he "stands ready" to step in if the SNP was unable to form a government in Scotland. Speaking on the Politics Show, Mr Scott ruled out working with Scottish Labour, as his party did in the pre-election coalition government.
But he said the key stumbling block was the SNP policy for a referendum on Scottish independence, which the Lib Dems, who have 16 MSPs, oppose.
"The SNP have to decide whether they want independence and for the next four years to be dominated by independence," said Mr Scott.
"They have to ditch the referendum."
Meanwhile, First Minister Jack McConnell told BBC Scotland he "stands ready" to step in if the SNP is unable to form a government in Scotland.
Nuclear power
The Scottish Labour leader said Mr Salmond and the SNP had the right to make the first move in attempting to form an administration.The Scottish Labour leader said Mr Salmond and the SNP had the right to make the first move in attempting to form an administration.
Alex Salmond has to show he is capable of and has the character to be the leader of a new government Jack McConnellScottish Labour Leader
If it failed, he said, Labour would then make its move.If it failed, he said, Labour would then make its move.
The Greens and the SNP already agree on several policies - both support independence and are opposed to new nuclear power stations.The Greens and the SNP already agree on several policies - both support independence and are opposed to new nuclear power stations.
In separate statements, the two parties described their discussions as "positive and constructive".In separate statements, the two parties described their discussions as "positive and constructive".
"The results of the election place the SNP as the largest party, and they therefore have the right to attempt to form a stable government with a progressive agenda for Scotland," said the Green statement.
"There are therefore no obstacles to the Scottish Greens opening up formal negotiations with the SNP on political co-operation in due course, and discussing our other priorities for action on the environment and social justice."
The Nationalists, who won one more Holyrood seat in the election than Scottish Labour, said their aim was to establish a "progressive coalition".The Nationalists, who won one more Holyrood seat in the election than Scottish Labour, said their aim was to establish a "progressive coalition".
Their statement added: "The SNP share with the Scottish Greens the right of the people to determine their constitutional future in a referendum." Green co-leader Robin Harper was re-elected to Holyrood
Mr McConnell said Alex Salmond had to show he was capable An SNP, Liberal Democrat and Green coalition would have a single-seat majority in Parliament.
While an SNP, Liberal Democrat and Green coalition would have a single-seat majority, a Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green deal would fall one seat short of a majority. The situation may mean that Independent MSP Margo MacDonald could hold a crucial role in the formation of a new government, although she said she did not expect to be part of a coalition.
She also admitted to considering a bid to become the Scottish Parliament's next presiding officer.
"I will work with whoever, I believe, has got the best game plan for the good governance of Scotland and who is also able to disentangle the discussions we must have on our constitutional powers," she said.
Mr McConnell told BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Live programme that the SNP had a responsibility to try and form a government.Mr McConnell told BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Live programme that the SNP had a responsibility to try and form a government.
"But it's far too early to tell, in this 28-day period in which we have the opportunity to form a new government in the Scottish Parliament, if they will succeed in doing that," he said."But it's far too early to tell, in this 28-day period in which we have the opportunity to form a new government in the Scottish Parliament, if they will succeed in doing that," he said.
"Therefore I'm happy first of all to continue in my formal duties behind the scenes as first minister, but I'm also happy to give them the space in which to do that." "Alex Salmond has to show he is capable of and has the character to be the leader of a new government, if he is to form one.
Mr McConnell continued: "Alex Salmond has to show he is capable of and has the character to be the leader of a new government, if he is to form one.
"If he can't achieve that then the other parties in the parliament will need to consider what to do next.""If he can't achieve that then the other parties in the parliament will need to consider what to do next."