OVER the summer I’ve spoken with both supporters and critics of the SNP who agree that the mood has been somewhat flat in recent years, compared with the more dynamic and innovative years of their first spell of minority government from 2007-11. The First Minister seemed to recognise this, indicating over the recess that her Government had a need for a reset.
When a government makes such an admission, opposition parties shouldn’t just throw mud; we should offer up new, positive ideas into the debate. The Green approach is always one of constructive challenge, so this was clearly a moment for us to set out Green ideas for a programme for government, with fresh policy ideas that could revitalise Holyrood and create a fairer, greener Scotland.
From a child benefit top-up to 20mph limits for safer streets, from net-zero carbon emissions to a national roll-out of benefit checks to maximise families’ incomes, we offered the Government positive proposals instead of just carping from the sidelines as some parties do.
READ MORE: Shona Craven: Mhairi Black is right – a basic minimum income is a non-starter
We know this positive approach works because in the last term we made progress in ending benefit sanctions on devolved work programmes and supporting vulnerable families. Our historic budget deal earlier in the year also helped local councils shelve many of the service cuts they had been forced to consider.
In just a few days back in Parliament since the summer we’ve already shown the value of Green influence with many of our policies referenced in Nicola Sturgeon’s Programme for Government. The fund to support councils piloting a Citizen’s Income, a core long-standing Green policy, is a positive step which has the potential to transform people’s lives.
The phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032 is a good aim, even if it’s something the industry looks likely to deliver anyway, but we need a clear commitment to end their use, not just their sale. Greens have long argued for action on air pollution, and the commitment to have low emission zones in four cities by 2020 rather than the single zone the Government originally proposed is modest progress.
On clean energy, there was less to celebrate. There was commitment to carbon capture, which remains a speculative technology and can’t offer any help in the immediate years ahead, and the much anticipated decision on fracking still hasn’t materialised – only a full permanent ban will do. The deposit return scheme is welcome but did we really need to wait a whole decade since the enabling legislation was passed before taking this action?
We were also pleased to see support from the Government for John Finnie’s Bill to protect children from assault. It is simply unacceptable that we offer the most vulnerable in our society the least protection. The “justifiable assault” defence is from a different age and it is vital that we move forward and afford our children the protection they deserve – the protection all adults enjoy – and send a message to the whole of society that we don’t tolerate violence against children.
Every programme for government is a mixed bag, and naturally there are areas where we’ll need to keep challenging the First Minister’s agenda.
We see a government still sticking to its unfair plans to cut aviation tax, putting money in the pockets of profitable airlines and giving the biggest tax cut to wealthy frequent fliers. The parliamentary scrutiny of this policy exposed an extraordinary lack of credible evidence, and when the consultation on it closes the Government will have one more chance to change their plans. If they don’t, it’s hard to see how anyone who takes climate change seriously will be able to work with them on this year’s budget.
One issue on which Greens have been leading the debate is the need for progressive tax policy to fund our services and close the inequality gap. Though it’s frustrating that the Scottish Government hasn’t been in the mood for a real discussion on this for the last two years, the opportunity seems to be offered now. Greens have made it clear that we don’t need to clobber low-income taxpayers – we can reduce their tax bill while raising revenue from those who can genuinely afford to pay a little more for the public services we all benefit from.
And on education, while a review of Initial Teacher Education was clearly needed, particularly to ensure that every new teacher knows how to support the one in four pupils with additional needs, we can’t let this become cover for the bizarre policy of putting untrained people into classrooms instead of fully qualified teachers. The Government’s wider education reforms have proved hugely divisive, and we’ll keep pressing for a change of direction.
For the rest of the current parliament, we can’t afford to see caution and timidity when bold change is needed. The Greens will continue to push the SNP beyond their comfort zone, and we’ll focus on getting results for Scotland while the other opposition parties stay relentlessly negative.
In the coming weeks, only subscribers will be able to comment on The National articles. Subscribe now or log in to make sure you stay a part of the conversation.
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. What should we do with our second vote in 2021? What happens if Westminster says no to indyref2?
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 conversation, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. We’ve had hundreds of emails from you complaining about this, asking us to take steps to ensure that these people aren’t given a platform on our site.
We’re listening to you, and here’s how we plan to make that happen.
We have decided to make the ability to comment only available to our 10,000 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.
We’ll be monitoring this change over the first few weeks, and we’re keen to know your thoughts. Email us at letters@thenational.scot if you want to have your say.
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Last Updated:
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Report This Comment