CLAIMS Scottish Greens "do not care" about the north-east and what it could do for net zero have been panned by the party's regional MSP.
During a discussion on BBC's Debate Night about what role Aberdeen could play as Scotland aims to become carbon neutral, Scottish Tory MSP Tess White said Greens "really don't like the north-east" and "do not like Aberdeen".
As she complained about Greens "getting into bed" with SNP, White claimed people know "there is a drive to centralise to the central belt".
But Green MSP Maggie Chapman, who represents the region, has hit back insisting the Greens want the north-east to be a "powerhouse of Scotland's future economy" and told White to stop flinging around "baseless accusations".
Chapman said: "Aberdeen can and must be at the heart of our transition to a fairer, greener, and better future.
"I want the North East to be the powerhouse of Scotland’s future economy.
READ MORE: Richard Murphy: Scotland can't risk being captured by right-wing financial elite
"The £500 million just transition fund the Greens have secured will help ensure that communities in Aberdeen will be at the centre of creating that new economy."
She added Aberdeen becoming the "Oil Capital of Europe" had created inequality across the city over the past half a century.
"What Aberdeen really does not need is a continuation of the two speed economy that oil and gas has created over 50 years," Chapman added.
"Inequality is clear across the city with some areas being left behind and having their voices and needs ignored.
"These communities cannot afford any more years of the cruel and incompetent Tory government that Tess White supports.
READ MORE: Islanders launch plan for community takeover of ferry services from CalMac
"Tess White should stop flinging around baseless accusations and instead stand up to her Tory colleagues who are doing so much damage.
"It’s time we stopped pandering to the wealthy elite who clearly have no interest in the long-term well-being of communities across the city."
Scottish Greens have called for Scotland to join the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, an international alliance of governments and other stakeholders who are working together to facilitate a transition away from oil and gas production.
The eight core members of the alliance are Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Greenland, Ireland, Quebec, Sweden and Wales, with associate members including California, New Zealand and Portugal.
Greens MSP Mark Ruskell raised the issue at First Minister's Questions on Thursday saying “when small nation states work together they can lead the world on climate justice.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel