Margo's SNP budget vote worth £1 million to Lothian

INDEPENDENT MSP Margo MacDonald is "optimistic" that she will secure an extra £1 million for Edinburgh and the Lothians in return for backing the SNP's budget in a tight vote in the Scottish Parliament.

She said talks with Finance Secretary John Swinney had left her "encouraged" about the prospects of winning financial backing for a series of projects and more cash for roads in the Capital.

If Labour and the Liberal Democrats vote against the budget and the Tories back the SNP, as they have in the past, the outcome will depend on the two Green MSPs and Ms MacDonald. The Greens are already hinting they are ready to vote against the government.

The Stage One debate - to approve the general principles of the budget - is due next week, but the crucial vote is likely to come at the final debate on the Budget Bill on February 9.

Ms MacDonald has called for government cash to help refurbish Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend and get the proposed white-water sports complex in Leith Docks up and running. She also wants the Christie commission on public services to look at Edinburgh's Dalry Swim Centre as a model for new ways of guaranteeing community-based facilities.

Now she says she hopes the city's roads could also benefit.

She said: "I was not greedy, but I also suggested Edinburgh had to get a good whack of the roads budget because Edinburgh started behind the rest.

"The roads are in a bad state caused by the increase in business and other traffic over the last decade because Edinburgh is fulfilling a national function.

"Even before the severe weather, everyone knew the city's roads were in a worse state than they would have been if it had not been for the additional strain on the city to become a genuine capital city and driver of the Scottish economy.

"I'm not putting a figure on it, it's just a reminder to John that I will be looking at how much is coming Edinburgh's way."

The Lothians MSP said she had been included in the round of talks Mr Swinney had held with opposition party leaders.

She said: "The fact the budget vote is expected to be very narrow means I have slightly more leverage because my vote is, comparatively speaking, worth more than normal.

"If it's possible to gain some sort of advantage for the people I represent I will do it.

"I would not use my vote for something that would militate against other areas, but where an honest case can be made for slightly different or special treatment for Lothian, that's one of the purposes of voting for me."

A government spokesman said: "Mr Swinney has held constructive talks with all the opposition groups and members, including Ms MacDonald."