Slater: We can be the Scotland of Kenmure Sreet
SCOTLAND can be an independent country that opens it doors to refugees and lead Europe’s transition away from fossil fuels, Lorna Slater told the Scottish Greens conference as she launched a fierce attack on Boris Johnson.
Addressing members in Stirling, she slammed the UK Government’s handling of the Ukrainian refugee crisis, comparing it with how people in Kenmure Street, Glasgow, had helped to stopped deportations of two asylum seekers last year.
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary Priti Patel have come under severe criticism for insisting people fleeing the war in Ukraine must have visas before entering the UK. In contrast, all EU countries have waived visa requirements.
“We can build a fairer, greener and independent Scotland that stands proudly at the heart of Europe and offers safety and solidarity to refugees. We can be the Scotland of Kenmure Street, not Downing Street,” Ms Slater said.
“We in Scotland want to stand solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We want to welcome those who need sanctuary into our homes, but instead our doors have been slammed shut by a UK Government that is singularly failing to step up to its humanitarian responsibilities.
“Every day of inaction will make a terrible situation worse. My message to Boris Johnson and Priti Patel is to stop putting paperwork and bureaucracy ahead of the peoples lives. Stop putting it ahead of women and children who are running terrified from the devastation of war. Let them in. No excuses, no obstacles, no delays. Let them in now.”
The party co-leader said she was “very proud” of the co-operation agreement that the Scottish Greens negotiated with the SNP six months ago which saw them enter government for the first time anywhere in the UK. She said a more equal Scotland was being built as a result, citing plans to reform the Gender Recognition Act in the face of “the most reactionary campaigns of misinformation that I can remember”.
Ms Slater, who is Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, told the party faithful meeting in Stirling that the biggest challenges “don’t come from the Scottish Government or even the Parliament. Many of them come from Westminster”.
She added: “Johnson and his colleagues ... are talking tough about sanctions on Russia despite being bankrolled by oligarchs. They are waving Ukrainian flags when they should be waiving visa restrictions. This is not a government that I want to run Scotland. We can do much better than this.”