Politics is about conviction and belief and supporting a political party is a way to convey that. Unless, of course, you are in the Scottish Greens.
The “other” independence supporting party are to focus on 21 seats at the December election, which in itself is admirable. They are a small party, with minimal electoral and financial support.
That they “share” power in Holyrood, propping up the SNP, is only because they share a common goal of independence.
Focusing on seats, which can increase potential vote share in the regional lists for Holyrood in 2021, makes sense.
What does not is losing credibility and face by campaigning for other parties.
The Greens believe climate change and the climate emergency is the most pressing issue facing society.
Unless that is, you live in Angus, Perthshire and Fife.
How can a party believe one thing to such a degree, to passionately advocate on an issue to the extent the Holyrood government has pivoted to Green policies being at the forefront of governance for the next 20 years, but not stick to those same convictions and try for a seat at Westminster?
In withdrawing and then actively campaigning for a party it claims does not do enough to help the environment, the Greens lose any conviction in their arguments.
They forfeit being able to shout about the SNP not doing enough for the environment if they actively campaign for the party at the general election.
The SNP have announced green deals and policies in their programme for government. They also took sponsorship at their conference in Aberdeen from the campaign for a third runway at Heathrow and actively hope Scottish oil reserves will bankroll independence.
Both of which the Greens actively campaign against.
It does not say much of the party’s convictions if it can ignore such anti-environmental policy.
It leaves the question, what do the Scottish Greens want more – a better, cleaner planet or Scottish independence? If the answer is independence, why not join the SNP and be done with it?
Deciding not to campaign in “unwinnable seats”, in an era when it is still financially ruinous to run for government is one thing – but to actively campaign for other parties is a deceit to those members who part with their money to support you in the first place.
