Scottish Parliament is braced for political turmoil as Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie faces a dramatic vote of no confidence following his failure to deliver crucial building safety reforms on time.
The crisis erupted after Mr Harvie, who serves as Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, missed a critical deadline to respond to a parliamentary committee's damning report on Scotland's crumbling building standards system. The report, published last December, exposed significant flaws in the current framework that have left homeowners and developers in limbo.
Political Earthquake at Holyrood
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has seized the opportunity, announcing he will table the no-confidence motion in the coming days. This move threatens to destabilise the entire Bute House Agreement between the SNP and Scottish Greens that underpins Scotland's government.
"The failure to respond to this report on such a crucial issue is a gross dereliction of duty," Mr Ross stated. "Homeowners across Scotland are suffering due to defective buildings, and the minister responsible can't even be bothered to respond on time."
Industry Backlash and Ministerial Failure
The building industry has expressed fury at the delay, with experts warning that the stalled reforms are costing jobs and leaving countless projects in legal limbo. The missed deadline represents a significant embarrassment for Mr Harvie, who has positioned himself as a champion of building safety and environmental standards.
Despite the mounting pressure, a Scottish Government spokesperson offered a tepid defence: "We are committed to implementing the committee's recommendations and will respond in due course." This response has done little to calm opposition parties or industry leaders.
Coalition Under Threat
The no-confidence vote poses the most serious threat yet to the SNP-Green power-sharing agreement. While the motion is unlikely to pass without support from other opposition parties, it represents a significant weakening of Mr Harvie's authority and could trigger wider consequences for the coalition government.
Political analysts suggest that even if Mr Harvie survives the vote, the damage to his credibility and the government's reputation may be lasting. The building industry continues to demand immediate action, leaving the minister with dwindling political capital and growing opposition.
