Not so Green

At FMQS on Thursday, John Swinney (deputising for the FM) was asked about the SNP government plans to raise income tax, having advised before the election that this would not be the case. He replied that the Government was “in discussion and dialogue with members of the public” and then with even more bravado, declares it was in “substantive debate” with the Scottish public. Let us be clear what he really meant, which was that the SNP are in closed doors “substantive dialogue” with one member only of the Scottish public – Patrick Harvie of the Greens. This is simply to get the forthcoming Budget approved and to satisfy the far left tax-raising demands of Mr Harvie’s party, which has not a single constituency seat at Holyrood.

Be honest, Mr Swinney.

RICHARD ALLISON

Braehead Loan, Edinburgh