Alba Party will be “election ready” if the Greens bring down the SNP Government

ALBA Party "will be election ready" if the Scottish Greens bring down the SNP Scottish Government, says the party's Holyrood leader. 

The prospect of an early Holyrood election dramatically escalated this weekend, with the Scottish Greens saying they were "simply unable to trust the SNP" in budget negotiations.

Speaking to The Herald, Lorna Slater said she was "absolutely" ready to bring down the Government.

As the leader of a minority administration, Mr Swinney needs the support of at least two opposition MSPs, at least three opposition MSPs to abstain, or a combination of both to get his budget passed. 

The Alba Party's Holyrood leader, Ash Regan MSP, has had initial constructive talks with the Scottish Government on the budget, including outlining proposals to protect Scottish pensioners from cuts to the winter fuel payment and funding for free school meals. More detailed negotiations are due to take place after the UK government presents its first budget on Wednesday afternoon.

Commenting, Alba Party's Holyrood leader Ash Regan MSP said: 

"Yet again, the Greens demonstrate the entitled foot-stamping that saw them shown the door from the Government in April. Talk of "trust" from the party that voted down the 2009 SNP budget - for effect -  takes gaslighting to a new level. The people of Scotland deserve better and have serious priorities as we enter yet another winter. The Alba Party focuses on constructive politics that build confidence in our people to progress on Scotland's journey to independence. Creating solutions to serious problems in Scotland takes the kind of consensus building that this Parliament was famous for from 2007 to 2014, and getting back to grown-up politics must be the priority of all parties - the people deserve nothing less. My door is open to working with anyone who shares the values of working constructively for the people."