THE Scottish Greens have hit out at Alba after they accused the party of dropping their independence "red line" in supporting the Budget tomorrow.
Greens MSP Ross Greer previously called on the Scottish Government to “categorically rule out” cutting spending on independence in the upcoming Budget, after Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said his party – which has four MSPs – would refuse to back any Budget which included independence spending.
As a minority government, the SNP need support of opposition MSPs to get their Budget over the line, or at least some abstentions.
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The Greens later set out two new conditions for their support ahead of the Budget, asking for last year’s £4.7 billion climate funding to be maintained and for council budgets to increase, arguing that the increase in council budgets would ease pressure on schools and care services.
However, Alba accused the Greens of dropping their "red line on independence", claiming it was not included in their final position..
Alba chair Tasmina Ahmed- Sheikh (below) said: “We already knew that the Greens support for independence was about political convenience and the independence movement was appalled when Lorna Slater previously said it wasn’t a red line when it came to propping up Labour after the next Holyrood election.
"However, their latest red line on independence did not not last long. In contrast, Alba Party’s Holyrood leader, Ash Regan, has been working constructively with the Scottish Government to deliver fuel payments for pensioners and school meals for children. That’s the sort of grown up politics the independence movement needs back in the room.”
The Greens denied the claim, with a spokesperson telling The National: "This is desperate nonsense, even by the standards of Alba.
"Independence will feature in any budget negotiated between the Scottish Greens and the SNP."
Greer (above) further set out the party's stance in The Herald this morning, stating: "For the Scottish Greens this is a very simple argument of democracy. In 2021 more people voted for pro independence parties to advance the cause of independence than for anti independence parties.
"I think it would be extremely hard for the SNP to explain to pro independence voters why their pro independence government is no longer working towards independence."
The party’s sole MSP and Holyrood leader Ash Regan said she will vote for the Budget if it is prepared to agree to certain requests, but did not mention independence spending.
Regan said she wants the Scottish Government to step in to mitigate Westminster’s cut to the Winter Fuel Payment and fund universal provision of free school meals.
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