Latest news with #ButeHouseAgreement
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How did the SNP-Green relationship go so wrong?
The Scottish government has dropped plans for a new national park in Dumfries and Galloway - the latest in a series of policies driven by the Scottish Greens to have been scrapped by the SNP. The idea was originally taken forward by Lorna Slater, when she was a government minister under the Bute House Agreement between the two parties. But since she and Green co-leader Patrick Harvie were kicked out of their ministerial offices by Humza Yousaf, the majority of policies included in the pact have been binned. From marine protection areas to climate targets, changes how homes are heated and a ban on conversion therapy, the agreed programme has mostly been torn up. Was the partnership worth it, looking back? And where does it leave the SNP and Greens heading into next year's Holyrood election? Things have changed enormously in Scottish politics since Nicola Sturgeon brought the Greens into government in 2021. She departed Bute House the following year, and her successor Humza Yousaf barely lasted a year as first minister. Ultimately, it was his decision to end the Bute House Agreement (BHA) which ended his tenure. A big motivation for the SNP in going into the pact was that it would provide stability against votes of no confidence, so it was somewhat fitting that the threat of such a vote forced Mr Yousaf out of office days after he ended the deal. John Swinney has since taken the administration off in a different direction with Kate Forbes as his deputy. The decision on the Galloway national park is just the latest in a procession of policies which underpinned the partnership to have been consigned to history. Let's take a look through the original agreement documents to check on the fate of some others. Cracks had started to appear in the pact prior to Mr Yousaf's decision to end it, particularly when the government announced it was dropping its climate targets. The BHA had called for a "credible pathway" to hitting the admittedly ambitious 2030 interim target for cutting carbon emissions. But after watchdogs underlined that this was looking increasingly unlikely, the government decided to do away with the interim goals and move to a system of carbon budgets. That wasn't the last climate measure to be scrapped either, with ministers also conceding that a target of reducing car use by 20% by 2030 wasn't going to happen. Another bone of contention at the time was Mr Yousaf's abrupt announcement of a council tax freeze - something the Greens opposed. Indeed the original agreement was that there would be a citizen's assembly on council tax reform. This has never materialised, and the longstanding promises to change how local taxation works have been kicked off into the next parliamentary term (again). One of the biggest pieces of work the Greens undertook in government was Patrick Harvie's heat in buildings bill, which aimed to move more homes to greener systems like heat pumps rather than boilers. The bill was shelved earlier this year after acting net zero secretary Gillian Martin said it would "make people poorer", voicing concerns that it could increase fuel poverty. A revised version of the bill has since been published, but it stops short of a legal requirement to replace heating systems by 2045. Mr Harvie was also the minister for tenant's rights, with the Greens central to plans to cap rents and ban evictions during the cost of living crisis. But the party takes a fairly dim view of the "watered down" system of rent controls currently being considered in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, saying they are not nearly strong enough. Another proposed bill was the ban on conversion therapy, which the Greens remain keen on - but which SNP ministers would really rather the UK government deal with. The decision to kick that into the next parliamentary term compounded the rift over gender reforms, which the two parties had cooperated over while passing the Gender Recognition Reform Bill in 2022. But Mr Yousaf decided to drop legal challenges to defend the legislation after it was blocked by the UK government, and Mr Swinney's administration have been clear that they will not be bringing it back. These policies follow a pattern of the Swinney government being happy to drop particularly controversial policies. The same thing happened with a plan to designate 10% of Scotland's waters as highly protected marine areas, which sparked opposition in coastal communities. In fairness, a few things had been delivered before the Greens left government. The new National Planning Framework had been finalised, including the BHA requirements for 20 minute neighbourhoods and greater priority for onshore wind developments. However, it should be noted that Green hopes for an energy strategy which would support offshore wind and marine renewables remain unrealised, given Mr Swinney's government still hasn't published its long-awaited energy strategy. The Scottish government also boosted the Scottish Child Payment, something enshrined in the agreement - although given it is a flagship policy for the SNP, it is likely that would have happened anyway. The same could probably be said of the £500m just transition fund for the North East and Moray, given it was in the SNP manifesto. Other successes included the Fair Work First guidance, which requires public sector bodies which get government grants to pay the real living wage, and a pledge to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority. A National Register of Ancient Woodlands is being produced, with a target date of 2027, and the promised Natural Environment Bill – aimed at improving biodiversity - has been tabled. These do feel like relatively small wins, though, compared to what was promised and ultimately abandoned. The decision to end the partnership agreement couldn't have been much more damaging for Humza Yousaf, given he ended up quitting. It has had consequences for the party's broader policy platform too though. The SNP had also been relying on Green support for one of its flagship policies for the term, the National Care Service. The BHA committed the parties to driving forward what it called a "totemic policy", but the Greens eventually joined other opposition parties in rallying against the proposal put down on paper by ministers. A vote at the party's conference went overwhelmingly against the proposal, underlining that it could not make it through parliament - although it was already clear by then that it would be undeliverable in any case, given opposition from key partners like unions, councils and health boards. Looking back over the wreckage of the Bute House Agreement may be instructive when we think ahead to the next Holyrood election. John Swinney has sought to build bridges now, with a view to operating in a fractured parliament of minorities next term. But would the Greens work with the SNP again in future? For all that they ultimately got out of the agreement, the smaller party may reflect that they may be able to deliver more by remaining in opposition and driving hard bargains when budget votes are needed. It was a budget deal which secured one of their favourite policies which still remains – free bus travel for under-22s. The Greens may also be happy to have more clear water between the parties on policy when voters go to the polls, given they are competing with the SNP for a similar slice of the electorate. But there is one topic we know the parties do still agree on, which may remain of outsize influence. The Bute House Agreement included a pledge to secure a referendum on Scottish independence. Obviously that didn't happen this term - but depending on the result of the election, building a "pro independence majority" may well be something which puts the SNP and Greens back on similar ground next May. Scottish government scraps plan for new national park SNP's power-sharing deal with Greens collapses Why do the SNP and Greens want to do a deal?
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Bute House Agreement: How did the SNP-Green partnership go wrong?
The Scottish government has dropped plans for a new national park in Dumfries and Galloway - the latest in a series of policies driven by the Scottish Greens to have been scrapped by the idea was originally taken forward by Lorna Slater, when she was a government minister under the Bute House Agreement between the two since she and Green co-leader Patrick Harvie were kicked out of their ministerial offices by Humza Yousaf, the majority of policies included in the pact have been marine protection areas to climate targets, changes how homes are heated and a ban on conversion therapy, the agreed programme has mostly been torn the partnership worth it, looking back? And where does it leave the SNP and Greens heading into next year's Holyrood election? Things have changed enormously in Scottish politics since Nicola Sturgeon brought the Greens into government in departed Bute House the following year, and her successor Humza Yousaf barely lasted a year as first it was his decision to end the Bute House Agreement (BHA) which ended his tenure.A big motivation for the SNP in going into the pact was that it would provide stability against votes of no confidence, so it was somewhat fitting that the threat of such a vote forced Mr Yousaf out of office days after he ended the Swinney has since taken the administration off in a different direction with Kate Forbes as his decision on the Galloway national park is just the latest in a procession of policies which underpinned the partnership to have been consigned to take a look through the original agreement documents to check on the fate of some others. Changing climate measures Cracks had started to appear in the pact prior to Mr Yousaf's decision to end it, particularly when the government announced it was dropping its climate BHA had called for a "credible pathway" to hitting the admittedly ambitious 2030 interim target for cutting carbon after watchdogs underlined that this was looking increasingly unlikely, the government decided to do away with the interim goals and move to a system of carbon wasn't the last climate measure to be scrapped either, with ministers also conceding that a target of reducing car use by 20% by 2030 wasn't going to bone of contention at the time was Mr Yousaf's abrupt announcement of a council tax freeze - something the Greens the original agreement was that there would be a citizen's assembly on council tax has never materialised, and the longstanding promises to change how local taxation works have been kicked off into the next parliamentary term (again). One of the biggest pieces of work the Greens undertook in government was Patrick Harvie's heat in buildings bill, which aimed to move more homes to greener systems like heat pumps rather than bill was shelved earlier this year after acting net zero secretary Gillian Martin said it would "make people poorer", voicing concerns that it could increase fuel poverty.A revised version of the bill has since been published, but it stops short of a legal requirement to replace heating systems by 2045. 'Watered down' Mr Harvie was also the minister for tenant's rights, with the Greens central to plans to cap rents and ban evictions during the cost of living the party takes a fairly dim view of the "watered down" system of rent controls currently being considered in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, saying they are not nearly strong proposed bill was the ban on conversion therapy, which the Greens remain keen on - but which SNP ministers would really rather the UK government deal decision to kick that into the next parliamentary term compounded the rift over gender reforms, which the two parties had cooperated over while passing the Gender Recognition Reform Bill in Mr Yousaf decided to drop legal challenges to defend the legislation after it was blocked by the UK government, and Mr Swinney's administration have been clear that they will not be bringing it back. Ending the headaches These policies follow a pattern of the Swinney government being happy to drop particularly controversial same thing happened with a plan to designate 10% of Scotland's waters as highly protected marine areas, which sparked opposition in coastal fairness, a few things had been delivered before the Greens left new National Planning Framework had been finalised, including the BHA requirements for 20 minute neighbourhoods and greater priority for onshore wind it should be noted that Green hopes for an energy strategy which would support offshore wind and marine renewables remain unrealised, given Mr Swinney's government still hasn't published its long-awaited energy strategy. The Scottish government also boosted the Scottish Child Payment, something enshrined in the agreement - although given it is a flagship policy for the SNP, it is likely that would have happened same could probably be said of the £500m just transition fund for the North East and Moray, given it was in the SNP successes included the Fair Work First guidance, which requires public sector bodies which get government grants to pay the real living wage, and a pledge to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority.A National Register of Ancient Woodlands is being produced, with a target date of 2027, and the promised Natural Environment Bill – aimed at improving biodiversity - has been do feel like relatively small wins, though, compared to what was promised and ultimately abandoned. 'Totemic policy' The decision to end the partnership agreement couldn't have been much more damaging for Humza Yousaf, given he ended up has had consequences for the party's broader policy platform too SNP had also been relying on Green support for one of its flagship policies for the term, the National Care BHA committed the parties to driving forward what it called a "totemic policy", but the Greens eventually joined other opposition parties in rallying against the proposal put down on paper by ministers.A vote at the party's conference went overwhelmingly against the proposal, underlining that it could not make it through parliament - although it was already clear by then that it would be undeliverable in any case, given opposition from key partners like unions, councils and health boards. The future Looking back over the wreckage of the Bute House Agreement may be instructive when we think ahead to the next Holyrood Swinney has sought to build bridges now, with a view to operating in a fractured parliament of minorities next would the Greens work with the SNP again in future?For all that they ultimately got out of the agreement, the smaller party may reflect that they may be able to deliver more by remaining in opposition and driving hard bargains when budget votes are was a budget deal which secured one of their favourite policies which still remains – free bus travel for Greens may also be happy to have more clear water between the parties on policy when voters go to the polls, given they are competing with the SNP for a similar slice of the there is one topic we know the parties do still agree on, which may remain of outsize Bute House Agreement included a pledge to secure a referendum on Scottish that didn't happen this term - but depending on the result of the election, building a "pro independence majority" may well be something which puts the SNP and Greens back on similar ground next May.
ITV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
National park: 'Decision to ditch plan is helpful to SNP opponents in Galloway and West Dumfries'
On the steps outside Bute House in summer 2021, a deal between the SNP and the Greens was hailed as a marriage made in heaven. Nicola Sturgeon – remember her? – said it would provide stability and, crucially, a shared policy platform for the coming five years. One of the most eye-catching plans was for a new national park with Galloway eventually being chosen as the location. But, much like the park plan, the Bute House Agreement collapsed when Humza Yousaf sacked the Greens from the Scottish government in a bid to strengthen his position as Ms Sturgeon's successor. The political divorce cost him his job. But it did strengthen the hand of John Swinney when he replaced Mr Yousaf as First Minister. Why? Well, there was a feeling amongst large chunks of the SNP that the previously mentioned shared policy platform was letting 'the green tail wag the yellow dog' and proving unpopular with voters. And a series of policies have been dumped or kicked into the long grass since Ms Sturgeon left office, including the deposit return scheme, gender reforms, highly protected marine areas, the expansion of heat pumps being installed in homes, and now the new national park. You'll probably have noticed something. All of those schemes have a decidedly green tinge to them. In fact, all of them were previously seen as big wins for the Scottish Greens in government. It's a bit like dividing up belongings after a break-up. There are some things that end up in the bin. And the SNP has decided to get rid of everything that reminds them of their former partners while they try and woo the electorate. Remember, support for the party has fallen by more than 10 percentage points over the last five years even if it remains ahead of its rivals in Holyrood polls. Strategists at the top of the Scottish government believe the policies that have been shelved over the last year were at best divisive, at worst unpopular. And Mr Swinney – who as deputy first minister was both key to negotiating the Bute House Agreement and central to its running – is looking to only take forward plans that will prove less controversial with less than a year to go until the Holyrood election. See the scrapping of peak rail fares (which was, in fact, pushed heavily by the Greens) and the reinstatement of some form of winter fuel payment for every pensioner in Scotland, even if it is not universally at the same level as previous UK government payments. It's essentially the same tactic used by Sir Keir Starmer in the run-up to the general election: get out of your opponents' way while they are making mistakes and don't make any of your own. Since Labour arrived in power at Westminster, it is the prime minister who has been regularly shooting himself in the foot. Having said all of that, the decision to ditch Galloway National Park is perhaps most helpful to the SNP's direct opponents in the Galloway and West Dumfries seat, the Scottish Conservatives. Contests in the seat have been incredibly tight between the two and the rise of Reform UK has left a good few Tories worried that this could be the year the seat turns yellow. But there would have been another disruptor providing Conservative candidate Finlay Carson with a headache had the park gone ahead. I have it on very good authority that an explicitly anti-park candidate, who is a well-known figure locally, would have stood on that singular platform, almost certainly drawing support away from Mr Carson in the process. John Swinney has decided the SNP is much better served as a political singleton. In the process, he has dumped not just the Greens but also some of their most controversial policies, of which Galloway National Park is just the latest.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Scottish Government ditches plans to create Galloway National Park
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon says there is too much opposition to the proposals to move forward. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Scottish Government has officially ditched its proposals to create Galloway National Park. This is the latest commitment made in the Bute House Agreement, the power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens, that has been ditched by the Scottish Government. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However the government has conceded there is too much opposition to the proposals to push on with the proposals to create a brand new national park. No to Galloway National Park campaigners holding a demonstration outside a special meeting on park proposals held by Dumfries and Galloway Council | No to Galloway National Park In a statement in Holyrood, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'We have weighed up the arguments for and against the creation of a new national park in the area, taking full account of the potential economic, social and environmental factors, and we have come to the conclusion not to proceed with the designation of a national park in Galloway and Ayrshire. 'I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new national park in Galloway over many years.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said 54 per cent of people who responded to their consultation on the proposals opposed the idea of a new national park, and said when only local responses were included, this increased to 57 per cent. Ms Gougeon said: 'It notes that support was greatest among environment, recreation and tourism sectors, whilst landowners, land managers and those working in the farming, forestry and renewable energy sectors had the strongest reservations.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Ross Greer 'seriously considering' Scottish Green leadership
However, he has stressed he is still considering his position, with conversations within the party ongoing. Patrick Harvie announced he will step down from the post, with a replacement likely to be selected at the end of the summer. Party rules means at least one of the co-leaders must be female, with Lorna Slater confirming she is standing to remain in post. Gillian Mackay, the party's health spokesperson, has also confirmed her leadership bid. It has been widely expected Mr Greer will stand after he played a significant role in the Bute House Agreement which meant the Scottish Greens entered government for the first time. Read more: Gillian Mackay announces bid to be Scottish Greens co-leader Slater: 'Greens face legitimate questions on new Bute House deal' Lorna Slater 'risks reputational damage' to Scottish Greens Succession struggle: Greens brace for leadership bunfight Mr Greer told The Herald: 'I am speaking to a lot of people at the moment who have asked for a conversation with me because they are keen for me to run but I want to really understand what party members want and if that aligns with the kind of Green Party that I want, then absolutely, I will seriously consider it.' He added: 'Quite a few members have approached me to ask if I am considering it and to encourage me to stand which is always really nice to hear.' 'I have the opportunity now, over the next few weeks, to think about it,' he said. 'But what I really want to hear from Green Party members about, is what do they want the party to be? I think this is an opportunity for us to make some strategic decisions on the kind of party that we want to be. 'I want the party to grow, I don't think that we can hold off the far-right, or achieve eco-socialism in Scotland on 10% of the vote. I want to have a debate within our party about how we grow our support across the country, so I need to make a decision sooner rather than later.' However, the party has been plagued with infighting in recent weeks, with The Herald hearing from various sources about growing discontent around the current approach. Insiders warned against the 'continuity' route, with Mr Greer seen by some activists as that due to his close links to Mr Harvie and Ms Slater. An insider said last month: 'I think the idea that Ross just slots in and we continue as we have been would be a poor decision and it would be naïve to think it wouldn't end the same as the SNP and then we'd have to rethink our leadership in a year's time.' Another also warned Ms Slater's bid risked 'reputational damage' to the party if she stood and lost.
