Inside the Scottish Budget negotiations, as Greens want policies woven into SNP plans
October 15, 2024
Inside the Scottish Budget negotiations, as Greens want policies woven into SNP plans
by backupJM
8 comments
Lower train fares offset by higher air passenger duty is surely a ‘simple’ option
It’s a bit of a long read, but basically, Greer is saying that unlike previous years where the SNP would decide the budget and then come to the greens to ‘sprinkle’ a green policy in at the end (like free bus travel for U22s), things are different due to budget constraints and they want Green spending woven through the budget from the beginning of the process.
Another thing is that since they are no longer rin government, and given what’s happened between the SNP and Greens, he said there is a trust gap – and once the budget it voted through they don’t have anymore say, so they don’t want a scenario like this year where when cuts are needed Green initiatives are first to go and their policies aren’t delivered. He said addressing the trust issue could be done outside the budget, for example new powers for councils as a political agreement for the budget.
Finally, he also said that there’s a number of policies they’ll put forward to the SNP, that ‘they know will be politically challenging’ for them, but that it’s not the situation where they have a number of red-lines, but rather putting forward a wide range of options to make clear what end result the Greens want.
Gives a bit of an insight into negotiations. But currently, everyone is waiting to see the UK governments budget and what affect that will have on the Scottish budget before negotiations start in earnest.
Very interesting article, thanks for posting OP.
It’s a good thing the SNP spent 10 years trying to humiliate all of the other parties, finishing with Yousaf’s incredible act of self harm
I’m mostly a fan of the greens but I think they might be getting ideas above their station here. The SNP deserve pelters for how they treated them but I doubt they will bend over backwards to accommodate a much smaller party. unless they have no choice.
Interesting times for sure.
Huh, it’s almost like they’re having to negotiate with another party that’s not a part of their government…
Parliament working as intended. Cue outrage from some quarters!
8 comments
Lower train fares offset by higher air passenger duty is surely a ‘simple’ option
It’s a bit of a long read, but basically, Greer is saying that unlike previous years where the SNP would decide the budget and then come to the greens to ‘sprinkle’ a green policy in at the end (like free bus travel for U22s), things are different due to budget constraints and they want Green spending woven through the budget from the beginning of the process.
Another thing is that since they are no longer rin government, and given what’s happened between the SNP and Greens, he said there is a trust gap – and once the budget it voted through they don’t have anymore say, so they don’t want a scenario like this year where when cuts are needed Green initiatives are first to go and their policies aren’t delivered. He said addressing the trust issue could be done outside the budget, for example new powers for councils as a political agreement for the budget.
Finally, he also said that there’s a number of policies they’ll put forward to the SNP, that ‘they know will be politically challenging’ for them, but that it’s not the situation where they have a number of red-lines, but rather putting forward a wide range of options to make clear what end result the Greens want.
Gives a bit of an insight into negotiations. But currently, everyone is waiting to see the UK governments budget and what affect that will have on the Scottish budget before negotiations start in earnest.
Very interesting article, thanks for posting OP.
It’s a good thing the SNP spent 10 years trying to humiliate all of the other parties, finishing with Yousaf’s incredible act of self harm
I’m mostly a fan of the greens but I think they might be getting ideas above their station here. The SNP deserve pelters for how they treated them but I doubt they will bend over backwards to accommodate a much smaller party. unless they have no choice.
Interesting times for sure.
Huh, it’s almost like they’re having to negotiate with another party that’s not a part of their government…
Parliament working as intended. Cue outrage from some quarters!
Greens want, heard that before.