SNP must back progressive change or lose Greens' support - Patrick Harvie warns

Patrick Harvie is to challenge the SNP to commit to meaningful, progressive change'' or lose the support of the Scottish Greens.

Co-convener Mr Harvie will tell his party's autumn conference in Perth that ministers have missed key opportunities to do so, including further reform of the council tax.

He will warn the minority Scottish Government that in future it must choose between the progressive'' backing of his party or side with theright-wing Tories''.

The number of Green MSPs trebled from two to six in May's Holyrood election, making the party the fourth largest in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Harvie will tell an audience at Perth Concert Hall that pressure from the party has already achieved much on key issues, including consideration by the Government of a young carer's grant, the recently announced block on underground coal gasification, and the roll-out of a Glasgow project to boost incomes for vulnerable families.

Green MSPs have worked to draw attention to flawed'' proposals on council tax reform, and have brought about parliamentary votes on ending fuel poverty and fracking, further action on land ownership, and devolution of asylum support and accommodation.

He will also highlight agreement with the Scottish Government on issues such as the ending of benefit sanctions within the soon-to-be devolved employment schemes.

Mr Harvie is expected to say: It's only been a few months since the election but already the Green MSP team is delivering on our pledge to make Holyrood bolder and Scotland better. The parliamentary arithmetic combined with the talent and ambition we have in our group means we're helping set the agenda.

With Scotland on the verge of being removed from the EU against our wishes, being stuck with a clueless and divisive Westminster Government, and with the hateful and divisive Trump presidential campaign, Green principles of compassion, equality and openness are needed more than ever.

We will play our part in making Scotland's voice heard, and we will continue to build the case for an outward-looking independent Scotland within the EU.

We recognise that a minority Government must work toward some degree of consensus across Parliament and I promise that our engagement with the SNP will always be constructive.

The Government missed a key opportunity to prove its progressive credentials by reforming the council tax and support Green proposals for a fairer alternative, but there will be many more tests to come, including on aviation policy where it's unthinkable that the First Minister could set a credible green agenda while backing Heathrow expansion and cutting Air Passenger Duty.

So to the SNP, we will offer our support if they commit to meaningful, progressive change in Scotland, using the limited powers of the Parliament; if they don't take that opportunity they risk being remembered as a timid Government that caved-in to pressure from big business and sided with the Tories.''

Mr Harvie will tell delegates the party will also focus on returning a record number of councillors in next year's local elections.

Green councillors make a huge difference to their communities and it is vital we increase our influence to protect our public services,'' he is expected to say.

An SNP spokesman said: It's very encouraging to see another political party in Scotland stand unequivocally against the xenophobic, hard-right agenda of the Tory Government at Westminster, and commit to ensuring that all possible options are kept open to protect Scotland's place in Europe.

The people of Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, yet the Tories are dragging us to the EU exit door - and Labour and the Lib Dems seem content to give the Tory Brexiteers carte blanche to do whatever they want to Scotland.

In Government, the SNP is happy to work with other progressive parties and will always listen carefully to constructive suggestions.''

• Scottish News