Commit to real change, Greens urge Nationalists

Patrick Harvie is to challenge the SNP to commit to “meaningful, progressive change” or lose the support of the Scottish Greens.

Co-convener Mr Harvie will tell his party’s autumn conference in Perth that ministers have missed key opportunities to do so, including further reform of the council tax.

He will warn the minority Scottish Government that in future it must choose between the “progressive” backing of his party or side with the “right-wing Tories”.

The number of Green MSPs trebled from two to six in May’s Holyrood election, making the party the fourth largest in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Harvie will tell an audience at Perth Concert Hall that pressure from the party has achieved much on key issues, including consideration by the government of a young carer’s grant and the recently announced block on underground coal gasification.

Mr Harvie is expected to say: “So to the SNP, we will offer our support if they commit to meaningful, progressive change in Scotland, using the limited powers of the parliament; if they don’t take that opportunity they risk being remembered as a timid government that caved-in to pressure from big business and sided with the Tories.”

An SNP spokesman said: “In government, the SNP is happy to work with other progressive parties and will always listen carefully to constructive suggestions.”