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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Greens predict election success | Greens predict election success |
| (1 day later) | |
| The Scottish Green Party could nearly double its tally of MSPs at next May's Holyrood elections, a conference gathering has been told. | The Scottish Green Party could nearly double its tally of MSPs at next May's Holyrood elections, a conference gathering has been told. |
| Party co-convener Robin Harper claimed the current seven MSPs could go up to between 10 and 15. | Party co-convener Robin Harper claimed the current seven MSPs could go up to between 10 and 15. |
| He also warned that the party would drive a hard bargain if it found itself holding the balance of power. | He also warned that the party would drive a hard bargain if it found itself holding the balance of power. |
| Mr Harper was speaking on Saturday, on the opening day of his party's annual conference in Edinburgh. | Mr Harper was speaking on Saturday, on the opening day of his party's annual conference in Edinburgh. |
| The Greens do not rule out a coalition but are studying the detail of a scheme used by minority parties in other countries. | The Greens do not rule out a coalition but are studying the detail of a scheme used by minority parties in other countries. |
| This would involve the Greens supporting another party - in return for concessions to Green policies. | This would involve the Greens supporting another party - in return for concessions to Green policies. |
| Just like Green parties across the world we are recognised as a party that can take on government and get things done Robin HarperScottish Green Party | Just like Green parties across the world we are recognised as a party that can take on government and get things done Robin HarperScottish Green Party |
| Their sole pre-condition would be a requirement for the other party to rule out any new nuclear power stations. | Their sole pre-condition would be a requirement for the other party to rule out any new nuclear power stations. |
| Mr Harper reminded the conference he had accurately predicted that the Greens would see between five and 10 Green MSPs returned in the 2003 Holyrood election. | Mr Harper reminded the conference he had accurately predicted that the Greens would see between five and 10 Green MSPs returned in the 2003 Holyrood election. |
| He said: "This time, I really will be disappointed and surprised if we got less than 10. | He said: "This time, I really will be disappointed and surprised if we got less than 10. |
| "And we are probably and possibly on line, in the best of circumstances, to get up to 15 - and what a position that would be." | "And we are probably and possibly on line, in the best of circumstances, to get up to 15 - and what a position that would be." |
| Mr Harper argued that the party had now entered mainstream politics in Scotland and was "a serious player" in Holyrood. | Mr Harper argued that the party had now entered mainstream politics in Scotland and was "a serious player" in Holyrood. |
| Robin Harper is co-convenor of the party | Robin Harper is co-convenor of the party |
| He said: "Now we are a force to be reckoned with. | He said: "Now we are a force to be reckoned with. |
| "Just like Green parties across the world we are recognised as a party that can take on government and get things done." | "Just like Green parties across the world we are recognised as a party that can take on government and get things done." |
| He pointed to the track record of Green MSPs on issues ranging from ID cards to dawn raids on families of failed asylum seekers, planning appeals, motorways and climate change. | He pointed to the track record of Green MSPs on issues ranging from ID cards to dawn raids on families of failed asylum seekers, planning appeals, motorways and climate change. |
| Mr Harper claimed rival parties were not serious about environmental issues and declared: "We will not just get the support of those who want serious action on environmental issues. | Mr Harper claimed rival parties were not serious about environmental issues and declared: "We will not just get the support of those who want serious action on environmental issues. |
| "People are becoming more aware than ever that the Green Party stands for so much more." | "People are becoming more aware than ever that the Green Party stands for so much more." |
| He told the conference: "We could hold the balance of power and we will take this responsibility seriously. | He told the conference: "We could hold the balance of power and we will take this responsibility seriously. |
| "We're not in it to prop up a government. | "We're not in it to prop up a government. |
| "We want serious influence and change, and we'll demand it if we are given the opportunity." | "We want serious influence and change, and we'll demand it if we are given the opportunity." |
| He went on: "We may have been the conscience of the first parliament - this time round we will be the driving force of change in the parliament. | He went on: "We may have been the conscience of the first parliament - this time round we will be the driving force of change in the parliament. |
| "We will drive a hard bargain, given the chance." | "We will drive a hard bargain, given the chance." |