SNP ends power-sharing deal with Scottish Greens over climate strategy
Thu 25 Apr 2024 09.53 BST
The historic power-sharing agreement between the Scottish National party and Scottish Greens is to end after a crisis over the government’s climate strategy.
The Bute House agreement was signed in August 2021 by the then SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, and the Scottish Greens co-leader, Patrick Harvie, bringing the Greens into government for the first time in the UK.
Humza Yousaf, Sturgeon’s successor as first minister, convened an emergency cabinet meeting early on Thursday after SNP backbenchers began openly attacking the deal.
In a statement issued half an hour before the first minister’s press conference, the Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater accused the SNP of “selling out future generations to appease the most reactionary forces in the country” by walking away from the Bute House agreement.
Slater accused the SNP of betraying the electorate, and added that “by ending the agreement in such a weak and thoroughly hopeless way, Humza Yousaf has signalled that when it comes to political cooperation, he can no longer be trusted”.
Labour pledges to renationalise most rail services within five years
34 minutes ago
Labour has promised to renationalise nearly all passenger rail services within five years if it wins the next election.
It says a new public body would inherit existing contracts when they expire, taking on responsibility for running services.
Automatic refunds for train delays and better internet connection on trains are also planned.
But Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the plans were "unfunded".
Responsibility for running train services was handed to private companies during the 1990s, since when there has been a boom in rail usage since the days of British Rail.
Time_Traveller wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 12:29 pmLabour pledges to renationalise most rail services within five years
34 minutes ago
Labour has promised to renationalise nearly all passenger rail services within five years if it wins the next election.
It says a new public body would inherit existing contracts when they expire, taking on responsibility for running services.
Automatic refunds for train delays and better internet connection on trains are also planned.
But Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the plans were "unfunded".
Responsibility for running train services was handed to private companies during the 1990s, since when there has been a boom in rail usage since the days of British Rail.
Tories doomed at next election because of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, says pollster John Curtice
36 minutes ago
The Conservatives are doomed to lose the election because voters will not forgive the behaviour of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, according to Britain’s top pollster.
Prof Sir John Curtice says Mr Johnson’s No 10 lockdown parties and Ms Truss’s economic catastrophe have made it impossible for Rishi Sunak to cling on to power.
The prime minister threw away his only hope of mending the electoral damage caused by Mr Johnson and Ms Truss by failing to condemn their conduct sufficiently strongly, says Sir John.
Mr Johnson and Ms Truss each ruined the reputation of the Tories, in power for 14 years, in the space of just weeks, he claims.
The Conservatives’ ratings fell six points in six weeks after the scandal of Mr Johnson’s Downing St lockdown parties was exposed, and another six points in the six weeks following the collapse of Ms Truss’ economic policies, says Sir John, professor of politics at Strathclyde University.
Humza Yousaf resigns - live: SNP Scottish first minister quits in emotional speech to avoid no confidence vote
1 minute ago
Humza Yousaf has quit as Scottish first minister in an emotional speech to avoid being ousted by his opposition in a no confidence vote.
Mr Yousaf announced he was stepping down during an address at Bute House, Edinburgh, at midday today, just days before a vote on his leadership was expected.
As he choked up, the 39-year-old thanked “wonderful” wife and “beautiful” children for supporting him throughout his time in office.
He added: “After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead I have concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.
“I have therefore informed the SNP’s national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader and asks that she commences a leadership contest for my replacement as soon as possible.
Local elections in the UK today. Should be an interesting bellwether for the General Election later this year (we still don't know when that is, but seems likely it'll be October/November. By law, the latest it can be held is January 2025).
Mayoral elections are also being held today. Sadiq Khan (Labour) is likely to gain a 3rd term as Mayor of London, as he's polling 20 points ahead of the Conservative candidate Susan Hall, and she is rather incompetent in radio/TV interviews. The right-wing media has been making a huge deal about the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), as though it's a pivotal and damaging issue for Khan, but most Londoners support it.
