Greens won’t field candidate against SNP’s Angus Robertson in Moray at General Election

SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson will not face a pro-independence candidate in his General Election battle to retain his seat in Moray after the Greens confirmed they would not stand.

The Highlands and Islands Green Party said it would not field candidates in any of the six Highland constituencies in an indication of an emerging ‘progressive alliance’ between the party and the SNP.

The decision is expected to boost the SNP’s chances of retaining the Moray seat which is one of the Conservatives’ key election targets.

Highlands and Islands Green Party convener James MacKessack-Leitch said: “At any normal election we would be proud to field candidates and run a positive campaign, however, this is no normal election.

“This General Election has been called for naked party political purposes as the Tories attempt to crush Labour in England and Wales.

“This immature behaviour has no relevance in the Highlands and Islands, let alone Scotland or Northern Ireland, but will only serve to increase voter apathy and anger at the way politics is conducted in this country, at a time when there are far bigger issues at stake.

“This campaign has the potential to become entirely negative and much of the rhetoric is already toxic, so we will be active in pushing the candidates on a progressive path and to outline positive reasons why we should be casting our votes for them, rather than having to pick the lesser evil.

“For clarity, we will not be endorsing any candidates.”

Scottish Conservative Moray candidate Douglas Ross said: “This decision by the Greens smacks of desperation; they will do anything to prop up the SNP and hang on their shirt tails.

“People will find it hard to believe them when they say they won’t be backing any particular candidate.

“When it comes down to it they will be backing the SNP all the way as we see time and again in the Scottish Parliament.”

The Greens’ decision follows SNP MP Tommy Sheppard urging the Greens not to stand in areas where they risk splitting the pro-independence or anti-Tory vote.