9 May 2017
The alliance of pro-independence parties has been accused of desperation, after the Greens confirmed they wouldn’t bother fighting the General Election in a key Scottish seat.
The party – which has been ordered by the SNP to stand aside in close constituencies – won’t field a candidate in Moray, the seat currently held by Angus Robertson.
Projections show the SNP deputy leader could lose the seat to Scottish Conservative candidate Douglas Ross, with the recent council election suggesting the nationalists are trailing in second place.
Last week, SNP MP Tommy Sheppard urged the Greens to step aside or risk splitting the pro-independence vote.
Now the Greens appear to have bowed down to that request by confirming no candidate will stand.
Scottish Conservative Moray candidate Douglas Ross said:
“This decision by the Greens smacks of desperation; they will do anything to prop up the SNP and hang on their shirt tails.
“People will find it hard to believe them when they say they won’t be backing any particular candidate.
“When it comes down to it they will be backing the SNP all the way as we see time and again in the Scottish Parliament.
“The SNP has successfully bossed the Greens about – and that shows just how worried the party is about losing the seat in Moray.
“While the local Greens have tried to justify why they are not standing, this announcement comes just two weeks after the SNP’s Tommy Sheppard asked them not to stand and split the pro-Yes vote.
“If you don’t want another independence referendum, this is your only chance to make that clear. Only a vote for the Scottish Conservatives on June 8 can send a clear message to the SNP in Moray.
“Here in Moray, we will be running a positive campaign so people know what we stand for, rather than running in support of another negative and divisive independence referendum.”
Confirmation of the Greens’ decision is here:
http://www.insidemoray.com/ross-attacks-green-decision-not-to-run-for-westminster-seat/
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