Continuing my series of interviews with economic commentators pro-independence politicians in Scotland, the National has now issued my interview with Scottish Green MSP, Ross Greer:
I enjoyed this interview, which was significantly more relaxed than that with SNP spokesperson, Drew Hendry. Hendry was defensive, most especially in the first half of the interview I had with him. Greer was anything but that, coming into this conversation in a surprisingly open way.
The fact that the SNP expect to win seats in the general election in Scotland and the Greens (who are a separate party from that in England and Wales, with distinctly different policies on some issues) do not might explain that. Ross Greer was focused more on Holyrood than Westminster as a result, but I tried to maintain a focus on UK issues.
The other reason why this discussion was more relaxed, perhaps the most relaxed of those that will be included in this series, is that Ross Greer clearly understands tax, its social consequences and its use as a policy instrument at both economic and social levels. That is very rare among politicians and stands Greer out in this area.
The discussion focussed on economic policy alone. What it did, however, highlight was that there are big divides between the pro-independence parties. I see no harm in that. The idea that Scottish independence and the SNP are synonymous is wrong. There are more players than them, and they have distinct policies to offer. That is what made this series worth making.
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I admire your knowledge, enormous efforts and your positions on nearly everything.
My hope is for an independent Republic of Scotland with its own currency, central bank and joining EFTA.
In the forthcoming election I will spoil my ballot paper. Westminster is unfortunately my Parliament. My view is that Scotland is not in a union. It is treated like a colony of England and is used to subsidise the U.K. treasury.
There are 8 candidates to choose from where I live. Nearly all are Unionists so not an option. The SNP is a devolutionist party so not an option. The Greens are covered below. There are no Alba or Independence for Scotland (ISP) or independent ‘Independenista’ candidates.
Since the referendum in 2014, Scotland sent 57 out of 59 MPs to Westminster and there was Brexit. If you can’t win independence with that you’re incompetent or not serious. So, it proved. From the SNP leaders Scotland got bluster, broken promises and poor management/governance. That and a pathetic request to the U.K. Supreme Court for support of a Section 30 (Scottish Independence Referendum).
In recent years many SNP members have left the party disillusioned by its leadership concentrating on identity politic issues and sidelining independence. The leaders took their ‘eyes off the ball’. The Greens in Scotland have also pushed identity politics. Whatever they say – see articles – we still have (Green) Freeports.
https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,in-context-scotlands-green-freeports
https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,cromarty-and-forth-win-green-freeport-bids
The SNP pushes membership of the EU – I disagree with it and you on re-joining what is a changed EU – but at the same time SNP leadership, not members, has allowed (Green) Freeport’s in Scotland. I believe Freeport’s are incompatible with EU membership. The current leadership of the SNP, who over a number of years have held various senior positions, may talk left of centre but the reality is different; see the Robin McAlpine articles.
Putting your position on the EU to one side, you are very much appreciated. You help to counter the MSM bias as it pushes its favoured agendas whilst avoiding alternative but valid views.
These are my personal view of things. Robin McAlpine illustrates things better than me in 2 articles from this month.
https://robinmcalpine.org/child-poverty-another-awful-election-debate/
https://robinmcalpine.org/we-are-watching-the-enshitification-of-democracy/
Luckily the Scottish Parliament elections will be in 2026.
Thanks for everything.
Thanks
Ed, you took the words out of my mouth. I can only add that I think, given their behaviour over the last few years, that neither the SNP nor the Scottish Greens are to be trusted. I will be voting ” None of the Above” on the 4th.
I’d agree that the SNP’s professional politicians are mostly very comfortable in power at Holyrood as is, (though I do find Robin’s posts far too predictable these days).
They’re also very much engaged with the Scottish business class in full Tartan Tory mode, especially the right of the party, rather like Reeves..
We’re getting lots of mailshots from the local Tories here who polled 2nd to the SNP last time round, and are obviously targeting the seat. It is just possible they could take it if the SNP vote falls off and the LDs do badly. We don’t have a Green candidate here.
Just like Bob and Ed I had intended to spoil my ballot, but I’d prefer the SNP to hold the seat, even though I really don’t rate our MP, so might just have to hold my nose.
Like many environmentalists I find the Scottish Greens have underperformed dismally at Holyrood, and I know Ross Greer is especially unpopular with my Green party member friends, let alone the wider electorate.
That was excellent!
Thanks
Excellent interview full of stimulating discussion with a remarkable novelty: a politician interviewee who is a natural communicator and who clearly understands macro-economics, taxation, the climate emergency, politics, legal issues etc and how they can be put together to make a more equitable society; all done without resorting to idealogical mantras and with the ultimate goal of not just a fairer society, but an independent Scotland which offers all its citizens a future.
I had come across Ross pre-Covid in a cross-party Holyrood committee meeting to address the Arts in Scotland, their health, their future and their funding. His questioning of people active in the arts was informed, constructive and (like in your interview) delivered with pace and clarity with no hint of political partisanship. It’ll be interesting to see how the Scottish Greens develop from here: in many ways they offer a more balanced and logical approach to the question of Independence than the SNP or Alba currently do, but lack voter support sizeable enough to become the driver of the Independence Movement.
The Greens have laden themselves with a lot of non-Green baggage in many people’s opinion. I had no reason to go near that. In this area he was clearly competent.