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Info: Scotland has enormous potential. We are
in general a welcoming nation, with innovative people,
extraordinary natural resources, and a strong creative
impulse. Successive governments have let these assets go
to waste, driven by short term personal or party goals
rather than the long term benefit of the country. They
have pursued policies driven by the lowest common
denominator, inspired only by the timid visions for our
future, and they consistently back vested interest over
the public interest. Greens are different.
We believe a better Scotland is possible, a country
where everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, with a
strong economy based on using our fair share of the
world’s natural resources, and where society is
committed to the principles of justice, equality and
non-violence.
People want fresh, honest politics, based on a vision
for this country’s future that is both realistic and
hopeful, and want a government prepared to take
practical steps to bring it about. Greens work inside
and outside Parliament for a tolerant and just society
at home, for a healthy environment, and for peace and
the rule of law. We believe Scotland has no need for
weapons of mass destruction, and oppose the existing
Trident missile system and its renewal. Scotland can
build a reputation internationally for being a
responsible member of the world community, dedicated to
peace and justice.
It is clear that climate change is the most urgent
problem we face. The economic costs and social
disruption of climate chaos, flooding, storm damage and
agricultural failure are immense. Greens believe that
our energy future must be built on efficient use of
cutting-edge renewable technologies, not nuclear power
with all its risks and its virtually endless legacy of
dangerous waste. We believe that Scotland can end the
blight of persistent poverty, as the Scandinavians have,
and that we should start by ending the benefit trap and
building a high-skill low carbon economy. We believe in
a Scotland where women, young people and old people and
all minorities, regardless of race, sexual orientation,
religion or disability, are free from discrimination. We
support a referendum on independence, and will campaign
for a yes vote, based on the principle of local
decision-making, not ideological nationalism.
There could be so much more to democracy than just a
vote every few years. We want to help build a radical
democracy in Scotland, where decisions are taken as
close to the people as possible. Empowered local
communities must get a real say in the decisions that
affect them, and more power must be returned to local
authorities. |
