THE SNP are to begin talks with the Greens on a ‘co-operation’ deal for the next five years at Holyrood.
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, confirmed the official talks, supported by the civil service, would take place to try to reach a formal agreement between the two parties.
It would see the SNP work with another party in government for the first time, having run a minority government between 2007 and 2011 and then again from 2016 until this year.
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It is not expected to be a formal coalition government but could lead to Green government ministers for the first time ever in Scotland.
And it would see a formal alliance between the two independence supporting parties at Holyrood in a term where the SNP will push for a second independence referendum.
The SNP is one MSP short of a majority at Holyrood and would need the support of other parties to get bills through and win key votes.
The Greens support would give the government a guaranteed majority.
In return the Greens say the will seek commitments like meaningful action on the climate emergency.
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First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said: “In Scotland and across the world we have massive challenges to confront and overcome: a global pandemic, the climate emergency, and the need to build an economic recovery that is strong, sustainable and fair.
“In the face of all of that, people across Scotland expect – indeed, demand – a grown-up and co-operative approach to politics that puts the interests of the country first.
“We want to reach out and find the best solutions to the toughest of problems. Our duty is to co-operate and not to find the lowest common denominator, but as a way of raising the bar higher.
She added: “Exactly what the content, extent and scope of any Agreement will be is what the talks will focus on but what we hope to achieve is potentially ground-breaking.
Patrick Harvie, co- leader of the Scottish Greens said: “Politics does not have to be about point-scoring and short-termism. Green parties across Europe and in countries like New Zealand have in recent years rolled up their sleeves and worked with other parties to deliver a better future.
“But they have also shown that there is more than one way for government and opposition parties to work together, without losing the ability to challenge one another. We believe the people of Scotland want to see grown-up politics like this, and will approach the forthcoming talks in this spirit.”
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