Greens promise to make bus travel free for all in election manifesto

Scotland’s buses should be back into public ownership and be free to use for all, the Scottish Greens have said, as the party launched its manifesto.

Co-leader Gillian Mackay told members: “It was the Scottish Greens who introduced free bus travel for everyone under 22.

“It was the Scottish Greens who scrapped peak rail fares.

“It was the Scottish Greens who ended school meal debt and increased taxes on the richest.

“And it was the Scottish Greens who took on the landlord lobby and introduced rent controls.

“We’ve done all of that with only seven MSPs – think of what we could do if there are 10 of us? Twelve of us? Fifteen of us? Or maybe even more.

“Every Green MSP, every one of these fantastic candidates joining us today will be a voice for change and for a fairer, greener and independent Scotland.”

Polling suggests the Greens are likely to gain seats on May 7, and that energy policy is now among the most important issues for voters.

The Greens said there should be “absolutely no new oil and gas fields” in the North Sea.

The comments come against the backdrop of rising fuel prices caused by the US-Israeli offensive in Iran and the disruption to the shipping of energy products in the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to the situation, politicians have pushed to ramp up domestic production and bring down reliance on foreign oil and gas imports.

John Swinney has dragged his party away from a scepticism over more drilling in Scotland’s waters, suggesting that the carbon impact of importing energy should be considered in the licensing of new fields.

The two positions could drive further space between the Scottish Greens and the SNP ahead of the May 7 election, further damaging any chances of a deal between the two parties to cement a pro-independence majority in Holyrood, though John Swinney’s party have shied away from any formal deals in recent months.

Fellow co-leader Ross Greer said: “As you would expect, friends, this is a plan to tackle the climate crisis.

“It shouldn’t be the case that we are the only party publishing a manifesto compatible with the scientific reality of the crisis that we face, and yet we are.

“So we’re proud to say, the Scottish Greens are proud to be the only party in this election saying there can be absolutely no new oil and gas fields in the North Sea.”

The party also pledged improvements in funded childcare, including extending the offer of 1,140 hours per year to all two-year-olds in Scotland and 570 hours from six months to two years old.