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/6631965.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| SNP power share talks 'positive' | SNP power share talks 'positive' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The SNP looks increasingly likely to make an attempt to form the first minority Scottish government. | The SNP looks increasingly likely to make an attempt to form the first minority Scottish government. |
| They have been holding power-sharing talks with the Greens, but a coalition would only give them 49 MSPs, short of the 65 needed for a Holyrood majority. | They have been holding power-sharing talks with the Greens, but a coalition would only give them 49 MSPs, short of the 65 needed for a Holyrood majority. |
| The anti-independence Scottish Liberal Democrats have turned down the prospect of an SNP power-sharing agreement. | The anti-independence Scottish Liberal Democrats have turned down the prospect of an SNP power-sharing agreement. |
| The Nationalists emerged as the largest party in the Scottish election with 47 seats, beating Scottish Labour by one. | The Nationalists emerged as the largest party in the Scottish election with 47 seats, beating Scottish Labour by one. |
| Talks between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party, which has two MSPs, have been on-going, although there are still several issues to be resolved. | Talks between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party, which has two MSPs, have been on-going, although there are still several issues to be resolved. |
| SNP leader Alex Salmond, who has expressed a preference for coalition government, told the BBC: "The bulk of our preparations now is perhaps assuming the responsibility of government as a minority. | SNP leader Alex Salmond, who has expressed a preference for coalition government, told the BBC: "The bulk of our preparations now is perhaps assuming the responsibility of government as a minority. |
| We will need further discussions on transport and other aspects of our policy differences Robin HarperGreen co-leader | We will need further discussions on transport and other aspects of our policy differences Robin HarperGreen co-leader |
| "That's where we are focussing most of our attention at the present moment." | "That's where we are focussing most of our attention at the present moment." |
| The Greens may back the Nationalists over a "confidence and supply system", where they would support Mr Salmond to be first minister and his party's budget, while dealing with other issues on a case-by-case basis. | |
| Speaking after the discussions with the Greens broke up for the day, Mr Salmond said: "There is still a bit of talking to be done. There aren't any sticking points, we're just looking at the range of ways the parties can co-operate in Scotland's interests." | |
| Green co-leader Robin Harper said he would have to refer back to his party's council. | Green co-leader Robin Harper said he would have to refer back to his party's council. |
| "We will need further discussions on transport and other aspects of our policy differences before we come to a conclusion," he said. | "We will need further discussions on transport and other aspects of our policy differences before we come to a conclusion," he said. |
| "We are working very positively towards that at the moment." | "We are working very positively towards that at the moment." |
| A first minister has to be appointed within 28 days of the election | A first minister has to be appointed within 28 days of the election |
| Mr Salmond, who described confidence and supply as a "perfectly workable model", earlier suggested a minority administration could operate through building consensus with other parliamentary parties. | Mr Salmond, who described confidence and supply as a "perfectly workable model", earlier suggested a minority administration could operate through building consensus with other parliamentary parties. |
| Prospects of a coalition with the Lib Dems faltered after leader Nicol Stephen said the fundamental stumbling block to a power-sharing deal was the Nationalists' demand for a referendum on independence. | Prospects of a coalition with the Lib Dems faltered after leader Nicol Stephen said the fundamental stumbling block to a power-sharing deal was the Nationalists' demand for a referendum on independence. |
| The election for the 129 member Scottish Parliament also gave the Scottish Conservatives 17 seats, the Lib Dems 16 and saw the re-election of Independent Margo MacDonald. | The election for the 129 member Scottish Parliament also gave the Scottish Conservatives 17 seats, the Lib Dems 16 and saw the re-election of Independent Margo MacDonald. |
| Meanwhile, Conservative MSP Alex Fergusson has ruled himself out of the contest to be the next presiding officer at Holyrood, following speculation that he might be nominated to replace George Reid. | Meanwhile, Conservative MSP Alex Fergusson has ruled himself out of the contest to be the next presiding officer at Holyrood, following speculation that he might be nominated to replace George Reid. |
| It is thought the Tories feel one of the larger parties - particularly Labour - should fill the post, which is also being considered by Margo MacDonald. | It is thought the Tories feel one of the larger parties - particularly Labour - should fill the post, which is also being considered by Margo MacDonald. |
| More than 100,000 ballots were counted as spoiled in the election and in one seat - Cunninghame North - former Labour minister Allan Wilson is considering a legal challenge after losing by 48 votes. | More than 100,000 ballots were counted as spoiled in the election and in one seat - Cunninghame North - former Labour minister Allan Wilson is considering a legal challenge after losing by 48 votes. |
| A lawyer is also preparing to contest the outcome of the Glasgow region. | A lawyer is also preparing to contest the outcome of the Glasgow region. |