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| Version 2 | Version 3 | ||||
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| SNP and Greens sign working deal | SNP and Greens sign working deal | ||||
| (about 1 hour later) | |||||
| The SNP has struck a deal with the Scottish Greens over working together in the new Scottish Parliament. | The SNP has struck a deal with the Scottish Greens over working together in the new Scottish Parliament. | ||||
| The agreement will ensure that the Greens vote for Alex Salmond as first minister and support his appointments. | The agreement will ensure that the Greens vote for Alex Salmond as first minister and support his appointments. | ||||
| In return, the Nationalists will back a climate change bill as an early measure and will nominate a Green MSP to chair a Holyrood committee. | In return, the Nationalists will back a climate change bill as an early measure and will nominate a Green MSP to chair a Holyrood committee. | ||||
| Scottish Labour refused to concede that Mr Salmond now seemed certain to be elected to the top job next week. | |||||
| The party claimed that the deal, which is not a formal coalition agreement, had fallen short of Nationalist expectations. | |||||
| The Greens, who have two MSPs, will not be obliged to back Mr Salmond in a confidence vote or support the SNP's budget plans. | |||||
| READ THE AGREEMENT SNP/Green signed agreement[59.9KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | READ THE AGREEMENT SNP/Green signed agreement[59.9KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | ||||
| This is a looser arrangement than the "confidence and supply" model of co-operation which had been talked about over the weekend. | |||||
| But the Greens would be prepared to consider a more formal pact if the Liberal Democrats decide to take part in government. | But the Greens would be prepared to consider a more formal pact if the Liberal Democrats decide to take part in government. | ||||
| SNP leader Mr Salmond said the agreement on co-operation between the parties would set the tone for the four years of the new parliament. | |||||
| "The Scottish Greens represent a substantial body of opinion in Scotland, regardless of MSP numbers," he said. | |||||
| "Their formula for co-operation across parties short of formal coalition is an excellent example of the consensus we are seeking to build in the parliament, and sets a positive tone for the incoming government." | |||||
| "This is not a 'confidence and supply' model - this is a model of no confidence and instability." Scottish Labour Party source | |||||
| Green co-leader Robin Harper said the deal laid the foundations for a "progressive new politics" for Scotland. | |||||
| "These constructive discussions have identified many shared objectives, including blocking nuclear power, tackling climate change and extending the powers of the Scottish Parliament," he said. | |||||
| But he added: "There remain significant policy differences between the two parties, however, and on those issues the Greens will continue to promote our distinctive policies." | |||||
| In a signed statement, the two parties agreed to oppose the building of new nuclear power stations. They also agreed to early legislation to reduce climate-change pollution each year. | In a signed statement, the two parties agreed to oppose the building of new nuclear power stations. They also agreed to early legislation to reduce climate-change pollution each year. | ||||
| The statement continued: "The Scottish Green Party is committed to supporting the Scottish National Party in the votes for first minister and ministerial appointments. | The statement continued: "The Scottish Green Party is committed to supporting the Scottish National Party in the votes for first minister and ministerial appointments. | ||||
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT RESULTSParty | Const | Regn | +/- | Tot | | SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT RESULTSParty | Const | Regn | +/- | Tot | | After 129 of 129 seats declared SNP2126+2047 LAB379-446 CON413-117 LD115-116 Others03-143
| Enter a full postcode: | Enter a full postcode: | ||||
| Results in more detail | Results in more detail | ||||
| "For their part, the Scottish National Party agrees to consult Scottish Green Party MSPs in advance regarding the broad shape of each year's legislative and policy programme (together with any key measures announced in-year), and in relation to the substance of the budget process. | "For their part, the Scottish National Party agrees to consult Scottish Green Party MSPs in advance regarding the broad shape of each year's legislative and policy programme (together with any key measures announced in-year), and in relation to the substance of the budget process. | ||||
| "The Scottish National Party also agrees to nominate a Green Party MSP as convenor of a subject committee for which the SNP is the nominating party." | "The Scottish National Party also agrees to nominate a Green Party MSP as convenor of a subject committee for which the SNP is the nominating party." | ||||
| The talks between the Greens and the SNP were sparked following last week's Holyrood election result in which the Nationalists won 47 seats - one more than their nearest rivals, Scottish Labour. | |||||
| A source close to Labour leader Jack McConnell, who remains first minister until a successor is elected, said: "Alex Salmond has been in discussion for five days and hasn't been able to persuade the Greens to properly support him. | |||||
| "This is not a 'confidence and supply' model - this is a model of no confidence and instability." | |||||
| Meanwhile, there has been renewed speculation that Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Fergusson might be in line to become the Scottish Parliament's presiding officer. | Meanwhile, there has been renewed speculation that Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Fergusson might be in line to become the Scottish Parliament's presiding officer. | ||||
| Mr Fergusson, who represents the Galloway and Upper Nithsdale constituency, had said earlier he would not be putting his name forward. | Mr Fergusson, who represents the Galloway and Upper Nithsdale constituency, had said earlier he would not be putting his name forward. |