THE Scottish Greens have revealed their top priorities for the year ahead, including pledging to do “everything we can” to deliver a Scottish independence referendum.
Lorna Slater, the party's co-leader, said the coming year will all about "people, planet and independence".
Speaking before Holyrood returns from its Christmas recess, she said the Greens will use the next year to work on building a “fairer, greener recovery”.
The Green MSP said: “2023 will be a crucial year for Scotland and for our planet. It must be a year of environmental renewal and a recovery that works for ordinary people.”
READ MORE: What’s in the stars for Scotland's politicians in 2023?
She highlighted the party’s record since joining the Scottish Government after signing a co-operation agreement with the SNP.
That saw Greens leading the change in 2022, Slater said, adding: “With Scottish Greens in government, we delivered a 150% increase in the Scottish Child Payment to help vulnerable families through the worst cost crisis for generations, an end to permission for new incinerators, record investment in wildlife and nature and free bus travel for everyone under 22.”
Slater, the minister for green skills, the circular economy and biodiversity, continued: “In the months ahead, we will build on these successes, deliver for people and planet and continue our transition to a better and more sustainable future.
“In my ministerial role, that will include the next steps for our groundbreaking biodiversity strategy and the delivery of the deposit return scheme. These are the kind of changes that will leave a legacy Scotland can be proud of.”
Slater said “with the powers of an independent country we could do even more”.
She said “big changes” – like removing nuclear weapons from Scotland, ending drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea and rejoining the European Union – can only be achieved if Scotland leaves the UK.
“That is why we will do everything we can to deliver a free and fair referendum on Scotland’s future,” she said.
READ MORE: Stonewall slams UK attempts to block Scotland's gender reforms bill
“The reality is that we are being held back by a cruel and incompetent Tory government in Westminster. With three prime ministers in 2022 alone, it is clear that we cannot afford another 12 months of Tory chaos.
“By focusing on people, planet and independence, we will build a fairer, greener recovery.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel