SNP and Greens strike landmark deal to form local government in Glasgow

Both parties thrashed out an agreement this morning.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 17th May 2022
Last updated 17th May 2022

The SNP and the Greens have struck a landmark deal to form the next local government in Glasgow.

It's the first time the two parties will work together formally in the city and means Scotland's largest local authority will be run by two pro-independence parties.

SNP Group leader Susan Aitken said: “Glaswegians face huge challenges in the years ahead, from the daily impact of the cost-of-living crisis on incomes and the longer-term effect of the pandemic and Brexit on communities through to ensuring a fair and just transition delivers for all Glaswegians and that our city is climate-ready.

“In a time of great uncertainty this agreement between the SNP and Greens can help provide the confident and responsible leadership this city and its people require.

“This is about doing politics and governance differently.

"It’s clear that the SNP and Greens have much common ground and have agreed in recent years on how best to meet major challenges affecting Glaswegians.

"Crucially, we share a willingness to collaborate to take the bold, urgent and progressive action which the immediate and future needs of Glaswegians demands.”

In the weeks and months ahead, the two groups will work together constructively to agree a Strategic Plan for the Council term 2022-2027.

The Strategic Plan will include aligned SNP and Green manifesto commitments, as well as additional commitments from each group.

It is expected that the Strategic Plan will be finalised and agreed by Full Council in autumn/winter 2022."

The Green group will take on the chair of a new Net Zero and Climate Progress Monitoring Committee and a Just Transition Working Group.

The Greens will also chair the Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm Committee, and will have vice-chairs on the Education, Skills & Early Years and Environment, Sustainability & Carbon Reduction Committees.

Green group co-convenor, Cllr Martha Wardrop, said: “The recent election result clearly showed us that the people of Glasgow agreed with our vision for a more effective, more democratic and forward-looking council.

"With our largest ever group of Green councillors, we will hold a minority SNP administration to account while working collaboratively across party lines to deliver a fairer, greener and more inclusive Glasgow and to bring about the change that people voted for.”

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