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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| 'Showdown' over Scottish budget | 'Showdown' over Scottish budget |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish Government's £30bn budget faces a crucial vote as First Minister Alex Salmond threatens to quit if it is not given backing. | The Scottish Government's £30bn budget faces a crucial vote as First Minister Alex Salmond threatens to quit if it is not given backing. |
| That could trigger an election but talks have been taking place to secure support for the minority SNP administration's proposals. | That could trigger an election but talks have been taking place to secure support for the minority SNP administration's proposals. |
| MSPs narrowly backed the spending plans in the first budget debate last month. | MSPs narrowly backed the spending plans in the first budget debate last month. |
| Sixty-four were in favour, including independent Margo MacDonald, 62 were against, and the two Greens abstained. | Sixty-four were in favour, including independent Margo MacDonald, 62 were against, and the two Greens abstained. |
| A spokesman for the first minister said that if parliament does not approve the budget when MSPs vote at 1700 GMT the view of the government would be to "take it to the people". | A spokesman for the first minister said that if parliament does not approve the budget when MSPs vote at 1700 GMT the view of the government would be to "take it to the people". |
| ELECTION THREAT CONSEQUENCES Alex Salmond's resignation would trigger attempts by parliament to find an alternative first minister within a 28-day deadlineA fresh election could be triggered by a two-thirds majority vote by MSPsIf the budget is defeated, an amended version could also be brought back as an emergency measure | ELECTION THREAT CONSEQUENCES Alex Salmond's resignation would trigger attempts by parliament to find an alternative first minister within a 28-day deadlineA fresh election could be triggered by a two-thirds majority vote by MSPsIf the budget is defeated, an amended version could also be brought back as an emergency measure |
| In a bid to bring the Tories on board, SNP ministers held out the prospect of a new national drugs strategy, to be published before the summer recess. | In a bid to bring the Tories on board, SNP ministers held out the prospect of a new national drugs strategy, to be published before the summer recess. |
| Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said this would bring about a "step change" in tackling drug misuse. | Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said this would bring about a "step change" in tackling drug misuse. |
| He said: "A key priority will be to ensure that those suffering from drug addiction receive the treatment, care and support which will best enable them to recover." | He said: "A key priority will be to ensure that those suffering from drug addiction receive the treatment, care and support which will best enable them to recover." |
| A Tory spokesman said his party had "won major concessions". | A Tory spokesman said his party had "won major concessions". |
| But he added its calls for accelerating a cut in business rates remained an "outstanding issue". | But he added its calls for accelerating a cut in business rates remained an "outstanding issue". |
| On the eve of the vote, harsh words were exchanged between the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. | On the eve of the vote, harsh words were exchanged between the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. |
| The Scottish Green Party said last week that despite concessions from Mr Swinney, the budget was not green enough for them. | The Scottish Green Party said last week that despite concessions from Mr Swinney, the budget was not green enough for them. |
| Alex Salmond is determined that the budget should be passed | |
| But Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles challenged the Green Party MSPs to declare whether they would abstain again or vote in favour of the budget. | But Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles challenged the Green Party MSPs to declare whether they would abstain again or vote in favour of the budget. |
| He said: "I want the Greens to confirm whether or not they will vote against the budget if it contains key policies that they have campaigned against, such as the M74 extension. | He said: "I want the Greens to confirm whether or not they will vote against the budget if it contains key policies that they have campaigned against, such as the M74 extension. |
| "Anything other than a vote against the budget by the Greens will be a massive betrayal by those few people who voted Green at the last election." | "Anything other than a vote against the budget by the Greens will be a massive betrayal by those few people who voted Green at the last election." |
| Green MSP Patrick Harvie retorted that he could not take seriously any challenge from a member of the party which promoted the "abysmal M74 northern extension". | Green MSP Patrick Harvie retorted that he could not take seriously any challenge from a member of the party which promoted the "abysmal M74 northern extension". |
| Mr Harvie said he and fellow Green Robin Harper would seek to exert "as much influence as possible" on the budget for the Scottish people and for the environment. | Mr Harvie said he and fellow Green Robin Harper would seek to exert "as much influence as possible" on the budget for the Scottish people and for the environment. |
| Remaining confident | Remaining confident |
| Meanwhile independent Ms MacDonald, whose vote could also be crucial, said she was seeking more cash for NHS Lothian. | Meanwhile independent Ms MacDonald, whose vote could also be crucial, said she was seeking more cash for NHS Lothian. |
| She said: "NHS Lothian has been under-funded to the tune of £11m per annum and although the health board has managed to break even, it is only fair that this shortfall in spending should be tackled as soon as possible." | She said: "NHS Lothian has been under-funded to the tune of £11m per annum and although the health board has managed to break even, it is only fair that this shortfall in spending should be tackled as soon as possible." |
| On Tuesday, Mr Salmond's spokesman said the first minister would resign and take the issue "to the people" if the budget fell at the crunch vote. | On Tuesday, Mr Salmond's spokesman said the first minister would resign and take the issue "to the people" if the budget fell at the crunch vote. |
| Despite Mr Salmond's comments, the minority government is still confident of gaining parliament's backing. | Despite Mr Salmond's comments, the minority government is still confident of gaining parliament's backing. |