![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/kate-forbes-backs-snp-discussion-on-deal-with-scottish-greens/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/130700632_forbes-pa.jpg&description=Image source, PA Media Image caption, Kate Forbes believes SNP members should be able to vote on key policy commitments Former SNP leadership challenger Kate Forbes has backed a "discussion" with party members on the government's deal with the Greens. The parties have clashed on key issues like gender reform as well as policies in the Bute House agreement, such as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). Ms Forbes said SNP members should be able to vote on key commitments. The Scottish Greens said the deal was "delivering the progressive change that Scotland needs". The Bute House Agreement, which was signed in 2021, is used as the framework for government between the two parties. But ex-cabinet secretary Fergus Ewing recently called for the SNP's membership to hold a new vote on it and branded the party's coalition partners "fringe extremists". Ms Forbes said members had voted on the original deal and debated it as a key issue during the leadership campaign, which followed first minister Nicola Sturgeon's resignation. But the former finance secretary told BBC Scotland News: "I do believe quite strongly in the fact that our members ultimately should dictate the policy of the SNP in government and that we should not limit or restrict what members may want to discuss at the upcoming conference. "So I certainly wouldn't be averse to the Bute House Agreement being discussed as part of, let's say, a check-in with the members now that the Bute House Agreement has been operational for over two years." Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The government was warned the Highly Protected Marine Areas scheme could have a "devastating" impact on fishing communities Asked if members should vote on the deal, Ms Forbes said the matter was "a little bit more complicated than that" and added the agreement was not "set in stone". She highlighted high profile issues such as HPMA's and the controversial deposit return scheme (DRS) - which pre-dated the agreement - had been amended or){kind=link}
Former SNP leadership challenger Kate Forbes has backed a “discussion” with party members on the government’s deal with the Greens.
The parties have clashed on key issues like gender reform as well as policies in the Bute House agreement, such as Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs).
Ms Forbes said SNP members should be able to vote on key commitments.
The Scottish Greens said the deal was “delivering the progressive change that Scotland needs”.
The Bute House Agreement, which was signed in 2021, is used as the framework for government between the two parties.