Launch of Green Yes

On 15th November, the Scottish Green Party launched its own distinct campaign for a Yes vote in the 2014 Referendum with the message that a better Scotland is possible. I attended the launch event  in Edinburgh along with Green MSPs and other councillors.

The key points to highlight about Green Yes are;

- As the UK’s politics moves ever harder to the right, it seems increasingly hard to imagine any Westminster government being formed which embodies the values Scotland needs, and deserves.

- Scotland’s political culture is ready for the challenges ahead, given its track record in keeping the NHS whole and in public hands and maintaining the principle of free education.

- The SNP Government’s white paper is the starting point for the transition to new powers.

- But the SNP Government must recognise that as yet they have no mandate for their policies in reserved areas. From NATO membership to the level of Corporation Tax, they should not lock Scotland in to their preferred policies, unless the Scottish people give them a mandate to do so in 2016.

- In the event of a Yes vote the development of a written constitution should be led by a new constitutional convention, to be established before the end of 2014, with political parties involved but not in sole charge. 

- In the event of a Yes vote we should explore the possibility of expanding the role of local government.

- We remain clearly of the view that Scotland will only be able to exercise full economic independence if we stand ready to develop our own currency. 

Download the Green Yes document here:
http://www.scottishgreens.org.uk/uncategorized/green-yes-launches-a-better-scotland-is-possible/