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The Scottish Green Party has suggested that Nicola Sturgeon’s successor could withdraw from the cooperation deal with the SNP if he is not committed to “progressive values”.
Health secretary and SNP leader candidate Humuza Yousaf is set to reveal on Monday whether he has defeated Kate Forbes and Ash Regan to replace Nicola Sturgeon as party leader and prime minister, but his opposition is key. , which he said could “destabilize” the Scottish government. Power-sharing agreements in jeopardy.
The Butte House Pact, a cooperation agreement between the two parties signed to support the SNP in Holyrood in 2021, holds 64 of the 129 seats, thus attracting votes from the Scottish Greens’ seven MSPs. May be dependent on assistance. majority.
But while Forbes promised to reverse some of the policies in the deal, including plans for marine reserves where fishing would be banned, she filed a legal challenge to the promised gender recognition reform bill. An agreement was reached but was rejected by Westminster.
On Saturday, the Scottish Green Party sent its strongest signal yet that it may refuse to work with Forbes.
Co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvey spoke at the Scottish Greens conference in Clydebank.
Slater warns: We will never be a party ready to set aside our principles.
She added, “Transgender rights are human rights and we have to agree that Westminster cannot make its transgender brothers prey to politics.”
After coming under scrutiny over Forbes’ personal opposition to same-sex marriage, Harvey said, “A sincere commitment to progressive values cannot be an optional extra in the prime minister’s choice.” ” he warned.
“These are fundamental issues for us. They are non-negotiable.”
Forbes said public opinion wanted the parties to “unite and work together” and said she would hold “early conversations” if Harvey was elected. I promise to do so,” and claimed to be committed to the Butte House Agreement.
Yousuf said during a visit to the proposed Eden Project site in Dundee that the agreement would be one of his “top priorities” if selected.
He urged rivals not to jeopardize the deal, stating:
“I have to say that if we don’t, we will not only have a minority government, but one of the most toxic Congresses I have ever been in, even if there are good reasons to do so. Also, very often cooperating with SNP.
“I can’t imagine being the new leader of the SNP. The first thing I would do is go into a minority government and rely on[Conservative leader]Douglas Ross and[Labour leader]Annas Thurwar to pass legislation. It is to destabilize the government.
“I think it’s ridiculously stupid.”
“If I am elected SNP’s leader on Monday, preserving the deal will be one of my top priorities,” Yousaf said.
“I don’t understand why the new leader of the SNP doesn’t want to make sure he fully supports the Butte House Accord, which is supported by 95% of party members.”
Of the three candidates vying for the SNP leadership, Yousuf is the only leader candidate who has pledged to challenge Westminster’s bloc on gender reform passed at Holyroodhouse.
Yousuf also said his other immediate priorities were tackling the cost of living crisis and “healing divisions within the party”.
The leader will be selected after a five-week contest on Monday, face a formal vote to become the first minister in Holyrood on Tuesday, and be sworn in in parliament the next day.
Speaking at a meeting of the Scottish Green Party on Saturday, Slater said her party would “choose whether or not to continue in power” following the outcome.
She went on to add that she will only work with Sturgeon’s successor if she “respects and shares our values of equality and environmental protection.”
Additional report from Press Association.
