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| azzuri |
Greens set for pre-election talksGreens set for pre-election talkssee - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5181874.stm Scotland's top civil servant could hold pre-election talks with the Green party for the first time. The Scottish Executive's permanent secretary normally meets leaders from the largest opposition parties. Ahead of the next Holyrood elections, Sir John Elvidge may extend that courtesy to smaller parties. The executive said the permanent secretary had not yet decided who to invite for talks but added that his plans were being "kept under review". Green MSP Mark Ballard told BBC Scotland: "We fully expect them to extend discussions to the Greens. "There's a real possibility of Greens holding the balance of power after next May's elections." Power-sharing Civil servants have to be even handed and work impartially for whichever political parties win power. Ever since devolution Labour and the Liberal Democrats have been their political masters. But the administrators have to prepare for the possibility of a change. Prior to the Holyrood elections in 1999 and 2003, the executive's top civil servants met with leaders from the Scottish National Party and the Conservatives. It allows opposition parties to brief civil servants on their plans for government. Since the last election, Holyrood has MSPs from seven political parties and a handful of independents. This fragmentation of political support makes new coalitions possible and increases the chances of smaller parties becoming king-makers. It has already emerged that Greens have held talks with the SNP about the possibility of power-sharing at Holyrood. Buoyed by recent opinion polls, SNP leader Alex Salmond has written to the permanent secretary to request the start of pre-election contacts. The executive said they would happen "nearer the time" of next May's election, possibly in January. The SNP wants to discuss its programme for the first 100 days of an SNP-led administration. The party's plans include scrapping the graduate endowment, overhauling Scottish Enterprise and a bill to pave the way for an independence referendum. Mr Salmond said he would like to "hit the ground running" as first minister by making St Andrews Day a public holiday. A spokesman for the Labour Party said: "Alex Salmond has failed to explain how is he going to fill the £11bn black hole at the heart of his plans to divorce Scotland from the rest of the UK." Oh my god, Labour are sooooo boring! 
Just by repeating the same lies over and over again - that's what they hope will keep them in power next May. Does anyone actually still believe this crap? |
| SLG |
I wonder if they are going to meet with the SSP as well.
As for the Labour numpty, if we have an £11bn black hole after Independence, surely we already have one now. Are the English really giving us £11bn a year - I don't think so. Perhaps rather than being Independent though, we could sell Scotland to another country. Surely we're worth more than 11bn a year, no? Any offers higher than 11bn will be considered. I'm sure the Japanese, Chinese or maybe the Saudis would be interested in a wee European outpost. |
| Avatar |
thats quite funny  - make sure they dont arrest you for your opinions though..
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