Activists say Greens deal is welcome

Climate and environmental activists in Lochaber have welcomed the endorsement by the SNP’s ruling body of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens, but it is tinged with disappointment.

The two parties published details of the co-operation agreement on Friday, including a commitment to hold a referendum on Scottish independence within five years.

Party members of the Scottish Greens agreed to accept the deal at the weekend.

A spokesperson for the local branch of XR (Extinction Rebellion) told the Lochaber Times this week: ‘Collaboration between parties is very welcome in principle and we in Scotland should be especially proud of this substantive role offered to the Scottish Green Party.

‘There are, however, some very disappointing exclusions from the agreement – the role of Gross Domestic Product measurements and economic principles related to concepts of sustainable growth and inclusive growth; aviation, aerospace and defence; field sports.

‘Also, other than a vague undertaking to introduce targets for restoring and protecting nature, there is no explicit mention of either land reform or rewilding. The proof of this particular pudding will be in the policies which are enacted – and we don’t have time to get it wrong.’

However, Sarah-Jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land and Estates, said: ‘For some time there has been significant concern amongst rural communities and businesses that votes on policies of huge significance to rural Scotland were being traded in return for support on high-profile issues such as the annual budget. We wait to see how the coalition announcement will impact that perception.’

She said there would be ‘unease’ if the new coalition took an ideological approach rather than one that brought people together, adding they wanted to work with government.