Greens today criticised the approach taken by the other parties to Scotland’s constitutional future as short term and tactical. The party believes that the Scottish people deserve better from all sides of the debate, and today calls for the Constitutional Convention to be revived. The Scottish Greens, Labour and the Liberal Democrats took part in the original Convention, along with church, business and trade union bodies amongst others, and the Convention’s final report in 1995 formed the basis for devolution .The party’s call for a more inclusive process was today backed by Professor Phil Hanlon, a founding member of the Constitutional Commission.

Green MSP Patrick Harvie said:

« The SNP clearly reckon they’re more likely to win a referendum in 2010 with David Cameron in charge at Westminster. Memories of Tory misrule are longer in Scotland, so they calculate his presence will encourage the undecided left to back independence.

« For their part Labour have shifted from cynical opposition to a referendum to cynical support for one and back again, via the Calman Commission and internal splits on a scale unseen since Major’s Tories. Wendy’s done more u-turns than the Dukes of Hazzard, and all because she thinks she can see some elusive tactical gain.

« The questions to be asked would, as things stand, be decided by two divisive processes. Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are talking to themselves through the Calman Commission, although its future must be in doubt after this tumultous week. On the other side, the SNP are only talking to their own supporters through the so-called National Conversation, and taking for granted that we support their position. In both cases it looks like the answer is in the question.

« Neither side has yet made a convincing attempt to start a broader discussion, nor have they made any significant effort to say what the constitution should actually be for. Their processes should be merged, and they should be opened up. We are today calling for a revival of the Scottish Constitutional Convention, and encouraging all parties with an interest in Scotland’s future to come together and to work with both the public and civic Scotland.

« During that debate, Greens will set out our vision for a socially just Scotland, a sustainable Scotland, and a Scotland at peace with its neighbours. We will argue for the independence option to include a commitment to a written constitution with a bill of rights. Our support for independence is grounded in local decision-making and decentralism, not nationalistic fervour or identity politics. We will also argue for a middle option that will include as many as possible of the powers needed to deliver a sustainable vision for Scotland.

« But the Convention should consider the questions which should be asked above all to ensure that people are faced with the clear options they really want, rather than the limited range of ideas to suit political parties’ interests. It should also make sure proper open public debates are held the length and breadth of Scotland, not just an arid array of politicians debating their fixed positions from raised platforms.

« Scotland’s future must not be a hostage to transient political advantages for Labour or the SNP. Whatever is decided will settle the issue for a generation at least, and this is too important an issue to be decided by SNP tactical calculations or by how unpopular Wendy Alexander is. »

Professor Hanlon added:

« The future constitution of Scotland is, obviously, far too important an issue to be left to any sectional interest. Yet, equally important is the benefit to Scottish society that would flow from a truly inclusive and involving process. Empowerment is not just an idea – there are practical benefits for the wellbeing of the people of Scotland if we get this right. »

 

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