Amendment by Greens targets council tax policy
THE Greens are planning to fire a warning shot at SNP ministers by forcing nationalist MSPs to put their names to criticism of Nicola Sturgeon’s council tax policy.
In a move designed to ramp up pressure on the First Minister to revisit her controversial plans, Green MSP Andy Wightman will propose an amendment to a Government motion seeking approval for a measure to raise bills for more expensive homes.
The amendment, to be voted on tomorrow, does not seek to oppose the band changes but adds that the parliament “regrets” that the Government’s wider proposals “undermine the principle of local accountability and autonomy” and fails to address a series of issues raised by an expert crossparty commission set up by Ms Sturgeon.
It then states that there remains an opportunity “to remedy this over the Parliament and commits to further discussions by all parties to seek to establish an enduring system of local government finance.”
The Tories indicated that they would back the amendment, only against the motion.
Other opposition parties to then vote full amended would also be likely to back the amendment, having supported a similar stance in September, leaving it likely to win majority support.
It would leave the SNP MSPs with a dilemma of having to either vote for the amended motion critical of Government policy and opening the door to further reform, despite ministers previously saying the SNP manifesto will be implemented in full, or scuppering their own party’s proposals.