Scottish National Party–Scottish Greens agreement

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the co-leaders of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, outside Bute House on 30 August 2021

The Scottish National Party–Scottish Greens agreement, also referred to as the Bute House Agreement, is a power-sharing agreement between the Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Scottish Greens which was agreed in August 2021 to support the Third Sturgeon government.

On 31 August 2021, the SNP and Scottish Greens entered a power-sharing arrangement which resulted in the appointment of two Green MSPs as junior ministers in the government, delivery of a shared policy platform, and Green support for the government on votes of confidence and supply.[1][2] There was no agreement on oil and gas exploration, but the government now argued that it had a stronger case for a national independence referendum.[3]

History[]

Background[]

The Scottish Greens last signed a co-operation agreement with the SNP in 2007.[4]

The draft agreement was unanimously endorsed by the SNP's national executive committee.[5]

Agreement[]

Nicola Sturgeon with Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater announcing the Bute House Agreement on 20 August 2021

On 20 August 2021, following two months of negotiations, the SNP and the Greens announced a new power-sharing agreement.[6][7] The Scottish Greens required both the majority of its members and a two-thirds majority of its party council to approve of the agreement in a vote before it could be enacted, both of which were achieved.[8][9][10] First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the power-sharing agreement at Bute House with the Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater. The agreement is based on the co-operation agreement between the Labour Party and the Green Party in New Zealand, reached in November 2020.[11]

Ministerial posts[]

While not an official coalition, it would be the first time in British history that Green politicians would be in government.[12][13] As part of the agreement, two Scottish Green MSPs were appointed to ministerial posts.[14]

Scottish independence[]

Main article: Scottish independence

The agreement contains a commitment to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence before 2026, and if possible by the end of 2023.[11][15] The Alba Party criticised the agreement for a lack of urgency.[16]

Other issues[]

The agreement will see both parties pledge for an increase investment in active travel and public transport, enhancing tenants' rights, a ten-year £500m Just Transition and establishing a National Care Service.[17][18]

Housing-related measures in the agreement include the creation of a new housing regulator, greater restrictions on winter evictions and a commitment to implementing a system of rent controls by the end of 2025.[19] Harvie credited tenants' union Living Rent with having "created the political space" for the rent control proposals.[20]

References[]

  1. ^ "SNP and Greens agree new power-sharing deal". BBC News. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  2. ^ "DRAFT COOPERATION AGREEMENT between THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT and THE SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP". gov.scot. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2021.
  3. ^ Brooks, Libby (20 August 2021). "SNP and Scottish Greens confirm power-sharing deal in historic moment for Greens". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  4. ^ "As it happened: SNP and Greens detail power-sharing deal". BBC News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  5. ^ "SNP ruling body endorses deal with Greens". BBC News. 21 August 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  6. ^ "SNP-Greens deal pledges indyref2 within five years". BBC News. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  7. ^ Davidson, Peter (20 August 2021). "SNP and Greens negotiate deal to form power-sharing government at Holyrood". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  8. ^ O'Toole, Emer (28 August 2021). "Scottish Green Party members vote to back SNP co-operation deal". The National. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Scottish Green membership backs power-sharing deal with SNP". The Guardian. PA Media. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Scottish Green Party members approve "historic" co-op deal". Scottish Greens. 28 August 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  11. ^ a b "SNP-Greens deal pledges indyref2 within five years". BBC News. 21 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  12. ^ Duffy, Judith (20 August 2021). "Co-operation deal between SNP and Greens to be revealed this week". The National. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  13. ^ Morris, Sophie (20 August 2021). "Scotland: SNP and Scottish Greens' power-sharing agreement is 'groundbreaking', Nicola Sturgeon says". Sky News. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  14. ^ McKenzie, Lewis (20 August 2021). "Scottish Greens enter government as deal done with SNP". STV News. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  15. ^ Nutt, Kathleen (20 August 2021). "Indyref2 listed as first priority in SNP-Scottish Greens co-operation deal". The National. ISSN 2057-231X. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  16. ^ Nutt, Kathleen (20 August 2021). "Alba say SNP deal with Greens kicks independence into the long grass". The National. ISSN 2057-231X. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  17. ^ Parsons, Sophie (20 August 2021). "What does the SNP-Green deal mean for Scotland?". Largs and Millport Weekly News. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Working Together to Build A Greener, Fairer, Independent Scotland" (PDF). Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Young, Gregor (3 September 2021). "Tenants' voices 'at the heart' of Scottish Government's rent control planning". The National. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  20. ^ Harvie, Patrick (25 August 2021). "We've negotiated rent controls for Scotland in our SNP deal – it could make renting and buying fairer". i. Retrieved 11 October 2021.


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