FMQs: Greens condemn lack of action since anti far-right summit
Promises made to defend democracy and oppose the far-right at a summit hosted by First Minister John Swinney must be turned into actions, says Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP.
Patrick used his last slot at First Minister’s Questions in his position as co-leader to challenge John Swinney on the lack of action from the Scottish Government since the summit in April, and to condemn the policy drift from the Scottish Government since John Swinney became First Minister.
In his first question, Patrick asked:
“Nearly 2 months ago, the First Minister hosted a summit about opposing the far right and defending democracy.
“There was a clear message from many people in the room - governments need to act to address people’s concerns - restore the public services we all rely on, give local communities more power, tackle extreme wealth, and tax the big polluters who are profiteering from climate breakdown so we can invest in our communities.
“It was obvious that without clear action, this would be just another talking shop. But what changes have we really seen since then?
“What exactly has the Scottish Government done differently in practical terms, since that meeting to turn promises into action?”
The First Minister responded claiming that his government had taken action to eradicate child poverty, but pointed to actions which are yet to be taken. He also referred to the publication of the Scottish Government's carbon budgets this morning, which the Scottish Greens slammed as “deeply concerning” earlier today after advice from the UK Climate Change Committee was rejected.
Responding to the First Minister, Patrick asked:
“There is a clear sense of drift from the First Minister; he came into this job saying he wanted to “build the best future for our country”.
“But since then he has watered down rent controls. He has stalled plans to help get people off expensive fossil fuels.
“He’s abandoned progress on human rights and equalities laws. He has ditched environmental actions like a new National Park.
“And just today, he has rejected advice from his independent climate experts.
“And in place of the progressive Green policies that the First Minister has walked away from… what? I struggle to think of a single, signature policy showing ambition or leadership that he has actually delivered in his year in the job.
“In the face of the threat from the far right, this “steady as she goes” approach is a course to disaster.
“Does the FM understand that people need to see real progress toward a fairer, greener Scotland, and that failure to tackle inequality and injustice will only benefit the snake oil sellers on the far right?”