This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter.

I know this is meant to be an education newsletter. We’ll get there, I promise.

But this week I’m afraid we need to start with some politics.

First, though, we should go back a few years for a quick recap.

The Greens came out of the last election in an incredibly strong position. The SNP had not achieved a majority, and neither Labour, the Tories or the Lib Dems were going to be willing to form a government with the nationalists. The Greens’ performance, however, meant that they had the numbers to create a multi-party, pro-independence government with a working majority.

A deal seemed to suit both parties. The SNP wouldn’t have to worry about budgets failing or votes of no confidence and could simply get on with governing. As for the Greens, they finally had something tangible to show supporters after years of steady progress and, by entering government for the first time, could get their hands on at least a few of the levers that need to be pulled to move Scotland towards a net zero future.

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But things are never really that simple in Scottish politics.........

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