09/05/2017 Reporting Scotland

In current circumstances, I'm not how many votes will get.

On Election Reporting Scotland tonight:

The Scottish Greens plan to field fewer than ten

Are they bowing to pressure from other parties?

To me I am actually asking people to vote for me, to put their trust in

me... And the verdict on the Prime

Minister's One Show appearance, covering the election campaign

in Scotland so you don't have to. Today has been all about energy,

independence, and immigration, The Scottish Greens will only

field a limited number and none at all in the

Highlands and Islands. So how might the absence

of the Greens play out at the polls? Let's take Scottish

Secretary David Mundell's In 2015 the Conservatives won

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale The SNP came second

with 19,961 votes. The Greens were in sixth

place with 839 votes, but take them out of the equation

and add their pro-independence votes to the SNP and they win the seat

with a majority of 41. So what lies behind this decision,

and what might it mean Here's our political

correspondent Nick Eardley. I am in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale

and Tweeddale, a constituency that has argued that tactical voting by

pro-independence supporters could have had quite an impact last time.

In 2015, the Scottish Secretary David Mundell narrowly beat his SNP

challenge here, but if everybody who voted for the Greens had switched

support to SNP, the Nationalists would have won narrowly. That has

perhaps caused the Greens to call for nobody to stand here this time

around. We don't know where the Greens plan to step aside this time

around, but we know it is rapidly scaling back its presence in this

election. The Greens have confirmed that they intend to stand fewer than

election. The Greens have confirmed ten candidates, which is

considerably less than the 30 plus they stood in 20 15. They Greens say

those decisions will be made by local parties, some of which wanted

to focus their energy on local issues, spend their money and time

focusing on those issues. The Greens are standing in seats where they

think they have a decent following, but it has led to some criticism,

and the Conservatives and Labour Party have both said it makes a

mockery of an idea of the Greens as an independent party that is

relevant in this campaign. Here is Ross Greer.

The Green Party stands on a basis different from all other parties.

Our members make decisions at a low level, and have decided on the basis

of what is best for green politics to focus on local campaigns, not on

the basis of what any other party is telling us to do.

The party would be entitled to party election broadcast, like the ones

after Look North, but their leader Patrick Harvie will still take place

in the BBC debate, which is between the five largest parties in the

Scottish Parliament. The BBC says it does not base its decisions solely

on how many candidates are standing. It is also down to the

representation at Hollywood, and do their past performance in other

elections. So that means the Green Party will still be part of the

debate ahead of the 8th of June, which means most people in the

Scotland won't be able to vote for them.

Now, we did ask the Scottish Greens to join us to explain their decision

So, instead, let's hear from the other parties.

Pam Duncan-Glancy is a Labour Party election candidate.

In Edinburgh, we have Liam McArthur, who's a Scottish Lib Dem MSP.

Jamie Green is an MSP for the Scottish Conservatives.

Callum McCaig is an SNP election candidate,

Callum McCaig, had you done a deal with the Greens to ensure you are

the only pro-independence party in key constituencies?

Absolutely not. From your video clip there, the Greens have decided they

are not particularly interested in running red across the country, and

that is up to them. It would have been nice if there was someone on

from then to talk about that, but the SNP will not put pressure on the

Greens to step down, it is clear that even if we had tried it would

not have been particularly keen on that. As we have seen with Patrick

Harvie standing in Glasgow North, they are keen to have some presence,

but they are focusing their fire where they think... Probably where

they think they can hold their deposits.

And they effectively now just a support mechanism for the SNP, the

Scottish Greens? I would not say so. I had a Green

candidate run against me when I was elected in 2050 and I thought he

brought an enormous amount to the debate in the local area -- that was

in 2015. I do not think that they will say because they voted Green in

2015, had they not been a Green candidate they would have voted

SNP... Yes, we are two pro-independence parties, but

particularly in somewhere that Aberdeen we have different policies.

To assume that one party support that just because someone vote for

independence that they would vote for another party that support

independence, I think that is taking voters a bit for granted and perhaps

naive around voting intentions. But you welcomed the move?

If there is the opportunity to get a pro-independence voice, to get

someone standing against the Tories who will do things... And the Greens

think that the SNP are the best place person to do that? I agree

with them. I think the SNP are the best placed in the last two years at

Westminster where we have shown that we are presenting Scotland at

Westminster and we have made yourself and's voice has been heard

loud and clear. Regardless of what the Greens do I do not do in this

election, we are clear that our message to voters is that we as the

SNP will look to continue that and stand up for Scotland and stand up

to the Tories. Ledger some other voters. Jamie

Green from Scottish Conservatives, you will now face a united

pro-independence vote in some places, a major setback to the plans

you had in places. Not at all. I think it is very

telling that the Green Party relying on the SNP to try to defend their

position about why they are too scared to run candidates across

Scotland. Anybody sitting at home watching this who voted for the

Green Party must be dismayed that their party are not even putting up

candidates. How can you take a party like that credible or seriously?

Will get on with the job we said we would do, put up a strong is

opposition to the SNP red across Scotland.

That is why... The convener of the Green Party... Tommy Sheridan told

them not to field candidates and that is what doing.

What they say they are doing is targeting resources where they will

be effective and that is what every single party does, the reality of a

election. But less than ten seats, this is a

party that does not get enough coverage in the media. They complain

they take them seriously, but had you take a party seriously that does

not even fight an election? We are all politicians and we want to fight

and win seats. They clearly have no confidence that they will win any

seats in Scotland at all. Liam McArthur, the Greens' decision

not to contest the Highlands and Islands matters to you. Your leader

Willie Rennie was there today and there tomorrow. He says the Lib Dems

will save the Highlands from the SNP. If that is your aim, it has

become more difficult? It begs the question as to what

respect the Green Party has for people that have voted Green in

recent elections, denying them a choice. I don't think anybody would

doubt that every party target its resources where it feels that it may

make the most significant gains. And a big anybody on this panel would

dispute that. But to deny voters across the Highlands and Islands any

opportunity to vote Green at all begs the question whether or not

this is a national party at all. But you are targeting. Willie Rennie

was in the Highlands and is there tomorrow. Every party target

resources where they think they have the best chance.

If you are a National party, I think it is beholden on you to stand

candidates and give people who want an opportunity to vote Green an

opportunity to vote Green. For the Liberal Democrats in the Highlands,

I think we have been very good. They know the choice an alternative to an

SNP candidate or an SNP MP taking for granted... As a cheerleader for

independence rather than a defender of the region, to centralise

services out of the region... Bugging of the best opportunity is

to vote the Liberal Democrats, so we fight hard for that.

Top of the border, the Greens are helping Labour by standing aside to

keep the Tories at bay in seats like Ealing Central. So presumably you

don't have a problem with them doing the same here in the SNP?

The dreams at the same, working to the Scottish budget they by the SNP

in order to get cut across our local authorities... Hundred and ?70

million of cuts to our local authorities and services were passed

as a result of the Greens are siding with the SNP, not news to me. What

is clear in this election is that people cannot take another moment of

austerity, another assault on our jobs, on our economy, on our human

rights. The only way to send a message about this and to Theresa

May is to get Theresa May out of Downing Street, by voting Labour.

Given the state of Scottish Labour at the moment, you must be

strategically targeting certain seeds, throwing resources in the way

that the Greens are submitting to do as well?

We are standing candidates and every single seat in Scotland, every seat

across the UK, because we are standing enough people, as the only

other party who will be able to kick out the Tories at Westminster on the

8th of June. That is why we are putting as much effort into every

seat as we possibly can, because we believe the people need a real

choice. There are two choices in this election, the end of the day,

you will either have a Labour Government or a Tory Government.

Notably people can no longer take a Tory Government, and the people of

Scotland do not want another divisive referendum. The only way to

kick the Tories out and give us from another referendum is to vote

Labour. On that, Jeremy Corbyn launched a

national campaign today, saying the UK will leave the EU if we win the

election? If that what Scottish voters wanting a? Della protracted

negotiations, we do make sure that we protect human rights, jobs and

the EU nationals... All of those things will be

absolutely important for Labour in All of those things will be

June. If you do not vote Labour in June we will have a hard Tory

Brexit, and goodness knows what that means for the people of our country.

Thank your for joining us. More from the campaign trail

coming up, but first Suzanne Allan has

the rest of today's news. BBC Scotland has been told that two

men who died after their speedboat went missing off the Galloway coast

at the weekend, were known to authorities for their involvement

in the illegal trade Sandy Hamilton and Kevin McKinley's

bodies were recovered on Sunday. Sandy Hamilton and Kevin McKinley

were from Larkhall. Their bodies were recovered

from the Irish Sea on Sunday. They were found after a major air

and sea search when their speedboat was reported missing off

the Galloway coast. BBC Scotland obtained this footage

as part of an investigation He was questioned by welfare charity

on a ferry from Northern Ireland. These puppies were found

in the boot of his car as part On that occasion, he was allowed

to continue on his journey Now BBC Scotland has been told

both men who died at the weekend were known to the authorities

in connection with the illegal Sandy Hamilton for sourcing,

and Kevin McKinley for selling. A route for this dealing

is across the Irish Sea to Scotland. They could have been on their way

to buy puppies when they left. In the past 18 months, Dumfries

and Galloway Council has given the SSPCA powers to inspect

dogs and puppies brought into Scotland and to act

if there are irregularities. They say they have

identified a route between Designer dogs can be bought

in Ireland in the North and Republic cheaply,

hence the illegal trade. The RSPCA, the UK charity,

says over 1,000 dogs are brought into the UK each week,

and it is claimed illegal trafficking could be worth up

to 300 million in the UK every year. He had been due to stand trial for

that in July. The Scottish Government says

reforming education is now an imperative. Its opponents described

the figures as shameful. Here is education correspondent.

These youngsters are learning how to listen carefully.

It is a crucial part of learning language and literacy.

The school is in a disadvantaged part of Edinburgh.

We have had children coming into primary one,

and there is roughly a two-year vocabulary gap where we would expect

The school has brought in a specialist to help,

and she is already making a difference.

The money came from the Scottish Government.

The Education Secretary is full of praise for this school,

but the national figures in literacy are simply not good enough.

These figures demonstrate there is significant improvement

that requires to be undertaken to ensure young people

and their educational needs are met at each stage in the system,

and the Government is determined to do that, but we have to see these

While most youngsters are doing well, the trend is often

The starkest figures concern writing in secondary schools.

Of course, the political climate is highly charged.

We have had 4,000 fewer teachers under the SNP,

and that must impact on the ability to deliver in the classroom,

and that is something the SNP needs to get hold of.

I think we have a Government that, for all its protestation that

education is a priority, has had an obsession

with independence from the moment it got through the doors of Bute House.

The surfer who was found drifting near his surfboard in the Irish Sea,

after more than 30 hours in the water,

has been discharged from hospital in Belfast.

Matthew Bryce from Airdrie was rescued on Monday evening,

He praised the medical care he received at the Ulster Hospital

privacy and limits her media appearances, but tonight all that

changed when Theresa May swapped the front bench for the One Show

appearing alongside her husband Philip.

In coming weeks the other party leaders will feature

I settled down to watch with popcorn and TV critic Paul English.

Someone who has famously been called a difficult woman. In negotiations,

you need to be tough and it's right to be tough sometimes. One European

institution, I am sure you are firmly behind, is your vision. We're

not leaving that as well are we? Know. Although I'm tempted to say

I'm not sure how many votes we will get! They're doing what you would

expect them to do, smiling and being polite, don't imagine the ball into

into any riposte debate at any stage. The marketing is very much

been about you, how comfortable are you, it's quite presidential in that

way? It's about a strong and stable government... Been being! Strong,

stable. What are the downsides in being married to the Prime Minister?

There isn't really a downside but if you are the kind of man who expects

his tea to be on the table at six o'clock every evening, you could be

his tea to be on the table at six disappointed. Why do they do

programmes like this? The importance of personality in politics is huge,

programmes like this? The importance that can sway people's votes, that's

the reason they are taking the opportunity to appear on a show like

this in a slot which is normally reserved for people panting and

album, a tall, a book. I like my shoes, it gives me a reason for

buying some more. This happened for five years ago, I was in the lift in

the House of Commons and there was a young woman in the lift, and I said,

nice pair of shoes she said, I like your shoes initiative can we a

comedian me involved in politics. What's the verdict? I think exactly

what you expected it to be, the opportunity to personalise

themselves, to play to the viewers emotions, wouldn't be analysed as

something like question Time, or other political programmes, where

people are more inclined perhaps to analyse the political content of it.

This feels like flicking through a magazine and that's why they are

there. But did it work? Let's find out with our pundit panel.

Well, tonight my panel consists of the managing director of the PR

company Weber Shandwick, Moray MacDonald, who is also

Would you have advised the Prime Minister to do this? I think so,

she's in a strange position, she doesn't have the kind of very high

public profile, she has gone out of her way to maintain a relatively low

profile in some ways. But she is realised that she has to do well, to

connect with a lot of people, particularly people who aren't

natural Tories, in labour or Ukip areas, she needs to somehow connect

with them a bit more. There is a need to put that personality across.

What do you think, has it helped engage any better with voters? I

guess the exercise tonight was just not look nasty. That's what the

Tories are trying to shrug off, sitting on a sofa, looking quite

comfortable, a bit of a novelty, the Spitting Image sketch of John Major

did come to mind, nothing controversial was said, nothing

interesting was said, it was just a vacuous piece of what passes for

personality politics, which think will almost people rigid. The timing

was interesting, not at the end, but when we are on the verge of

manifesto launches and should be talking about policy. This is going

to be the problem, here we are the night, talking about a bit of a

nonevent, and a media bidding war in which the bidding to lead BBC

managed to get her in any format, dictated on her terms, I think a lot

of Scottish viewers will read between the lines and say, this

isn't a woman who wants to meet the public. What the appearance does do

is write and share away from certain things and criticism today of the

energy cap policy which has been called a simple bribe by some but

also stolen from Labour by others. I don't think it's designed to draw

attention away, I think it is designed to put their own agenda and

have them drive the agenda for a couple of days, we have talked about

appearing on this programme for couple of days, we have talked about

couple of days, it'll probably be on the papers tomorrow, that is three

days, she has got on the agenda, with something not really about

days, she has got on the agenda, policy. Whether that's right or

wrong is a different matter but it demonstrates somebody who's getting

a PR programme done quite well. Shares in Scottish and Southern

energy down now, bad news for them but surely this energy cap is good

news for millions of hard-pressed households struggling to pay energy

bills? For those of us old enough, we can remember the private session

of the electricity industry and since then, we haven't seen anything

but a whole string of court cases where company after company has just

managed to overlook that they have verbally charged ancients and the

poorest in the country, putting a cap on that kind of behaviour is not

actually changing terms of trade, I would want to hear somebody talking

about nationalising aspects of energy production and I would like

to hear Scottish political parties looking at that because we have a

different energy profile, a much richer mix than south of the border.

Will this work with voters? She is tried to show a softer side to the

Conservative Party but also to capitalism, she recognises people

are concerned about big business, and she was to find ways to

are concerned about big business, demonstrate she has ways of dealing

with that without going down the path Leslie is talking about. Thank

you. Nowadays, a constant diet of photo

opportunities from our politicians, the standard choice from us, Willie

Rennie with a selection of vegetables in the Highlands. What is

the caption? That's it from us. Join us tomorrow night.