Swinney passes Tory Budget with Tory support
For immediate release 26 January 2010
The SNP and Tories united today to vote through John Swinney's Budget after the Stage One debate, confirming the Green assessment that the SNP have effectively proposed a Tory Budget and that they would find the Scottish Tories ready to support it.
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"A year ago at Westminster the Tories and the Lib Dems got into bed together, and today at Holyrood the SNP have climbed in beside the Scottish Tories too. It appears to be Swingers Day in Scottish politics.
"John Swinney and Alex Salmond have brought George Osborne's cuts agenda to Holyrood, and their reliance on Tory support means they simply could not defend public services in Scotland. Labour's position is also indefensible - how can they justify their failure to vote against tonight? When Parliament votes again in two weeks, Labour must get off the fence and vote this Tory budget down."