It is not surprising Nicola Sturgeon’s Government has entered formal talks with the Greens about a “formal cooperation agreement”.
Bruised by the final months of the last term, during which the Salmond psychodrama threatened the positions of the First Minister and her deputy, SNP insiders longed for stability.
They openly speculated about casting aside minority government and going into a coalition with the Greens after the election.
In the year of Glasgow hosting a climate change conference, the optics are positive for the SNP joining arms with an environmental party.
If a partnership can be agreed, there would likely be a comfortable majority for budgets and legislation. It would bring calm to a stormy Parliament.
Sympathisers also note it would provide a formal majority for IndyRef2, although Greens’ co-leader Patrick Harvie holding ministerial office is unlikely to change Boris Johnson’s mind.
However, while Sturgeon talks up joint working on the climate emergency, this issue could fracture a new alliance.
The Greens want an end date for the production of oil and gas in the North Sea. SNP figures are wary of committing to anything that could turn the north-east into a jobs wasteland.
The parties also have contrasting visions on education although John Swinney – who wasn’t close to Greens education spokesman Ross Greer – moving to a new role could improve relations.
Agreeing on a loose deal would be the easy part. Sticking to it will be a different matter.
