Panic in Scotland as one party ‘ready’ to trigger snap election in SNP revenge plot | Politics | News

The co-leader of the Scottish Greens Lorna Slater has warned that her party is ready to trigger a snap election in Scotland unless the SNP government meets a series of Green demands.

Her stance has led to panic in the country as it threatens the stability of the minority SNP administration, which has relied on Green support for its Budget in previous years.

Slater said that since Humza Yousaf tore apart the Bute House Agreement, the Greens have found themselves in a stronger position to negotiate.

The agreement was originally drafted to create a stable coalition and had granted key roles to Slater and fellow Green MSP Patrick Harvie in the Scottish Government.

However, following Yousaf’s resignation, Scotland’s new First Minister John Swinney shifted a number of SNP policies, removing several Green-backed initiatives, with the Greens now reconsidering their support.

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According to Slater, the SNP will need to return to the table if they want Green backing for their budget, particularly if the budget includes new funding for road construction and lacks provisions for tackling poverty and climate action.

Speaking to The Herald, she said: “The Scottish Greens are polling really well at the moment.

“We are absolutely prepared to bring down the SNP government.

“The SNP are in a difficult position, having collapsed the Bute House Agreement rather suddenly. They now find themselves as a minority government with a challenging Budget to pass and, if they are hoping for Green votes to help pass that Budget, they are going to need to sit across the table from us and put back a lot of the things we were working on together in the Bute House Agreement.”

She also stressed that without addressing Green priorities, the SNP risks losing Green votes.

And, with Finance Secretary Shona Robison preparing to unveil her budget on December 4, the stakes are high.

The Scottish Government has expressed a willingness to work with all parties to find common ground, acknowledging the need to build “broad support” for the budget.

In response, Slater said the Greens are open to negotiations but remain firm on their demand to see key commitments, particularly those previously agreed upon in the Bute House Agreement.

This shift has led to speculation over the potential for an early election, especially as the SNP’s minority status limits its ability to pass legislation unilaterally.

Slater’s comments follow recent remarks from Harvie, who also expressed hesitations about supporting a budget influenced by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

The Scottish Government said in a statement that it “welcomes views across the Parliament and is engaging with all parties to hear views and consider their proposals.”