SNP and Greens slammed for joining in a ‘desperate’ bid to stop the Tories grabbing key Nationalist seats in Scotland
Green Party blasted for standing less than TEN MPs in Scotland – 22 less than the 2015 election
THE SNP and Greens were slammed as “desperate” for joining the “coalition of chaos” yesterday – in a bid to stop the Tories grabbing key Nationalist seats.
The Greens were blasted for “surrendering” to the SNP after it was revealed they will stand less than TEN MPs in Scotland – 22 less than the 2015 election.
The Highlands and Islands Green Party confirmed they wouldn’t stand a candidate against SNP Deputy Leader Angus Robertson in Moray, North East Scotland.
His seat is predicted to go to Ruth Davidson’s Scottish Tories after analysis showed the party is roaring ahead following last week’s local elections.
The coalition parties want to create an “independence alliance” so won’t stand in seats like Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross.
It came as Labour expelled three senior party members in Surrey after a bid to unseat Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt by joining up with the Lib Dems and Greens was uncovered.
Last night Scottish Conservative Moray candidate Douglas Ross blasted: “This decision by the Greens smacks of desperation; they will do anything to prop up the SNP and hang on their shirt tails”.
And Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser branded the Greens a “pointless presence” in Scottish politics.
He said: “The propping up of the SNP is embarrassing and a complete disservice to their voters.
“Quite simply, they might as well not exist. If they are so determined to become the SNP, they should disband and merge with the nationalists.
“It’s utterly regrettable that a party previously committed to issues like the environment have become nothing but a support mechanism for the SNP.”
The Greens’ decision follows comments from the SNP’s Edinburgh East candidate Tommy Sheppard urging the party not to stand in areas where they risk splitting the pro-independence or anti-Tory vote.
Last night a Scottish Green spokesman said: “By targeting resources in key constituencies, such as Glasgow North where Patrick Harvie will be our candidate, we can build on our strong support to win Scotland’s first Green MP, offering a bold alternative to the other parties.”
It came as new figures shamed the SNP’s education record showing a staggering drop in literacy levels north of the border under their watch.
Official statistics revealed fewer than half of 13 and 14-year-olds are able to write well while the proportion who are functionally illiterate has more than doubled.