HERE is my take on the Green/SNP spat. This all started with the release of the Cass report, an independent report by a senior clinical advisor for child health. The SNP-led government followed the advice given and that, along with the roll-back of the 2030 climate targets, caused the Scottish Green Party to arrange a meeting for its members to decide whether to stay in coalition with the SNP or not.
It’s definitely possible that the Scottish Greens would have voted to end the coalition themselves.
In my opinion Humza did the right thing in ending it (admittedly in a rather clumsy manner that cost him his job). I think he was correct to do it, as you can’t have the tail wagging the dog.
READ MORE: Kate Forbes will NOT run for SNP leadership
Then D Ross jumped on the bandwagon, calling for a vote of no confidence. On the other cheek – sorry, hand – Anas Sarwar was claiming Humza hadn’t been elected by the voters! Didn’t he become leader after “Sir Keir” told him to knife Richard Leonard in the back, and after Gordon Brown became PM in the last Labour government? As a man of principle, did anyone hear him complain when Mark Drakeford stood down in Wales to be replaced by Vaughn Gething?
Voters vote for THEIR MSP, they do not vote on who the party leader is.
So he now wants to vote in an election. Has he not spent the last few years telling us now is not the time for another referendum/election? Maybe we should have a dual election, with an independence referendum happening at the same time, if he’s so keen on the people having a vote. Of course, “head office” might not be so happy with that.
Sadly, Humza has had to fall on his sword, with either or John Swinney or Kate Forbes likely taking over. Shona Robison might put her name in as well.
I for one will NOT be voting Green in the list vote system although I do consider myself an environmentally friendly person.
I think Humza will be back and has behaved well and with maturity. The same can’t be said for others.
John Kinnaird
via email
YOU quote Anas Sarwar as saying “it would be untenable for the SNP to impose yet another unelected first minister on our country”. I would have thought an MSP would know that the First Minister is elected by parliament – including Anas Sarwar as a sitting MSP – and no-one else.
Hamish Scott
Tranent
WHAT a contrast! On the one hand, we have the Greens – very much the minor partner, not voted anywhere near government by the electorate, brought into government in a deal made by the previous FM – expecting the elected, current FM to sit back quietly waiting for them to decide whether they want to dump HIM and the deal, now throwing their toys out of the pram in a tantrum because he refused to await their bidding.
READ MORE: John Swinney launches bid for SNP leadership
On the other, we have Humza making his own decision and delivering his resignation speech quietly, reasonably and with dignity, preferring to stand up for his principles, leaving the Greens to throw out any remaining toys over the demolition of the power they believed they had over him.
The text of his letter to Harvie and Slater was also calm and measured, even if unexpected and a shock to them. I believe that their response should have been similar and accompanied by a request for discussion that could have led to an agreement on “confidence and supply” so that they retained a modicum of influence. Their reaction, however, has probably damaged their party at least as much as the SNP.
I know which response I respect.
L McGregor
Falkirk
I’M not an SNP member so have no vote in the latest leadership contest but I am disappointed that the dirty tricks have started again. Supporters of John Swinney are all over the internet moaning about Kate Forbes being right-wing and a strong adherent to her Christian faith. When Kate Forbes brought in policies as finance secretary these people said nothing and supported her. I would suspect that Nicola Sturgeon was the driver of most of these policies, so why is she not called out as economically right-wing?
READ MORE: Kate Forbes's full statement as she rules herself out of SNP leadership race
As for the religious question, I don’t remember Ms Forbes missing any vote because of this – unlike the current FM Humza Yousaf, who hid when the vote on equal marriage took place, and who was the only First Minister to bring religious services into Bute House. Why did all those shouting about Kate letting her religion control her politics not say the same about Humza?
To be honest I’m glad I’m out of the SNP – all it ever did was bring about depression as the party became voting fodder for every daft idea the Greens had, and even now the Greens are threatening to work with only the SNP candidate they want! Imagine paying your membership to the SNP for years only to find Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater control not only the SNP’s policies but also choose the SNP leader!
William Hyslop
Renfrew
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