SCOTLAND VOTES NO: SCOTTISH GREENS URGE COMMON GROUND
Green Yes, the Scottish Green Party's campaign for a Yes vote in the independence referendum, is accepting the No vote and urging those who voted Yes for radical change to remain actively engaged with the debate on constitutional change.
Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said:
"The result is clearly a disappointment to us but the huge number of people voting Yes does represent a big step forward for the cause of Scottish independence. We respect the outcome and look forward to working constructively with those who chose to vote No.
"The strength of feeling expressed in the referendum cannot be ignored, and the UK Government cannot be allowed to sweep Scotland aside. Any further devolution must not force Holyrood to implement the UK's austerity agenda.
"Scottish Greens will closely scrutinise any proposals for further devolution to ensure a transfer of meaningful economic powers, not merely a responsibility to manage Westminster’s cuts.
"We also know that Greens in the rest of the UK will be strong allies in continuing to challenge the UK's broken political system, which remains wedded to an economic model which has failed to serve the common good.
"The past two years has been an amazing time in Scotland’s history, with a broad-based creative movement reconnecting people to politics. The Green Yes campaign was driven by our ambition for a fairer, greener country. During the months and years ahead I’m determined that we keep that vision firmly in our sights."