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The Scottish Greens (also known as the Scottish Green Party; ) are a green party political party in Scotland. The party has 7 MSPs of 129 in the Scottish Parliament, the party holds 35 of the 1226 councillors at Scottish local Government level.
They held two ministerial posts in the first Yousaf government following a power-sharing agreement with the SNP from August 2021 until the end of the Bute House Agreement in April 2024, marking the first time Green Party politicians formed part of a government in the UK.
The Scottish Greens were created in 1990 when the former Green Party separated into two independent parties, representing Scotland and England and Wales. The party is affiliated to the Global Greens and the European Green Party.
Party membership increased dramatically following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, during which it supported Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom.
The 1990 Highland Regional Council election gave the Greens their first ever councillor in the UK. Roger (aka Rory) Winter, representing the Highland Green Party (Known in Scottish Gaelic as Uainich na Gàidhealtachd), was elected in Nairn. However, Cllr Winter broke away from the Greens in 1991 and continued his four-year term as an Independent Green Highlander.
In the 2003 Scottish Parliament election, the Scottish Greens added six new MSPs to their previous total. The result was a surprise for the party. Afterwards, Harper stood for election for First Minister, securing six votes.
Despite the breakthrough in Holyrood, the party failed to elect any candidates in the 2004 European Parliament election, 2005 Westminster elections.
In the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, the party lost five seats in Holyrood, leaving the party with just two MSPs. The result was disappointing as polls initially suggested the party would remain with seven MSPs. However, in the council elections, taking place under the new Single Transferable Vote voting system, they gained three Councillors on the City of Edinburgh Council and five Councillors on Glasgow City Council.
Co-convenor Robin Harper blamed the loss on spoiled ballot papers and the campaign focusing on larger parties.
Differences, primarily over transport policy, were cited for the limited nature of the agreement. But they left open the door to further negotiations should the Scottish Liberal Democrats join the First Salmond government. During the election, co-convenor Shiona Baird lost her seat, and did not re-stand for election as co-convenor. She was replaced by then Edinburgh councillor Alison Johnstone in November 2007. Robin Harper and Johnstone did not seek re-election in 2008 as co-convenor. While Harvie was the sole nominee for the male co-convenor, there was 3 candidates for female co-convenor: former MSP Eleanor Scott, Glasgow councillor Nina Baker and Edinburgh councillor Maggie Chapman. The role of female co-convenor was won by Scott.
During the 2009 Scottish budget process, the Scottish Greens demanded an £1 billion home insulation programme over 10 years. The SNP Scottish Government offered £22 million for a 'pilot' project. The party decided this compromise was not acceptable.
On 28 January 2009, the two Green MSPs were instrumental in the defeat of the Government's budget. The move surprised some commentators, whose leadership had until this point been marked with increased cooperation with the SNP government.
A slightly amended version of the budget was passed easily the following week with the support of other parties.
Despite not moving forward, the party was the only 'minor' Scottish party which achieved representation in the Scottish Parliament after 2011 when the Scottish Socialist Party, Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party and others lost seats.
During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, the party participated in the cross-party Yes Scotland campaign in favour of Scottish independence. Co-convenor Patrick Harvie sat on the campaign's advisory board. Briefly, the party withdrew from Yes Scotland. However, the party's 2012 conference overturned the decision. The party also joined the Radical Independence Campaign.Dennison, James (2017). The Greens in British politics: protest, anti-austerity and the divided left. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. pp.51. .
The party's own campaign of 'Green Yes' launched in October 2013, and advocated that only independence could deliver radical change, with Harvie also arguing that the party's vision of independence was progressive, and explicitly not nationalistic. He also argued that devolution did not go far enough to tackle issues important to Scots like austerity.
However, some in the party were opposed to independence, including former convenor Robin Harper who said that he would "absolutely vote No". After the independence referendum, the Scottish Greens experienced a massive surge in membership, including future co-leader Lorna Slater. The party claimed that, for a period in the day after the referendum, it gained a member every 15 seconds. The party's then co-convenors, Harvie and Chapman were chosen by the party to serve as its representatives on the post-referendum Smith Commission. The party argued that full powers on income tax, the bulk of welfare policy, energy, transport, employment law and human rights law should be transferred to Holyrood.
In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the party won 6 more seats, its best result since 2003. The result pushed the party ahead of the Scottish Liberal Democrats in seat numbers, making it the fourth-largest party for the first time. The Scottish Greens also elected the youngest MSP ever, Ross Greer at the age of 21. In the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, the party called for a 'Remain campaign' vote. Subsequently, the party began more strongly advocating for a second Scottish independence referendum.
In February 2015, the party announced that it would field candidates in 32 seats for the 2015 United Kingdom general election with 40% of their candidates being women. In 2017 the party generated some controversy by standing only 3 candidates at the general election. In the 2019 general election they contested significantly more seats in 22 constituencies. They failed to win any seats and lost their deposit in every contest.
The 2017 Scottish local elections saw 'real progress' with the party returning 14 councillors across Scotland, with 8 in the City of Edinburgh Council.
In August 2019, a newly adopted constitution by the party led to the 2019 Scottish Green Party co-leadership election, where Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater were elected as co-leaders with 43.1% and 30.2% respectively.
After two months of negotiations, on 20 August 2021, the Scottish Greens announced a new power-sharing agreement with the SNP Scottish Government. While not an official coalition, for the first time in Scottish and UK history it offered the Greens two ministerial posts. The agreement saw both parties pledge for a second referendum on Scottish independence, an increase investment in active travel and public transport, enhancing tenants rights, a ten-year £500m Just Transition and establishing a National Care Service. The agreement was approved by 83% of Scottish Green members, and secured a two-thirds majority vote of the party's National Council. This was required under the party's constitution for the agreement to be ratified.
Academic Professor Nicola McEwen suggested that the agreement "sometimes pushes the further" particularly on climate, social and fair work policy. She also argues that the two parties had already converged on many issues over the preceding decade. However, critics and supporters of the party agreed that the agreement had allowed the party to have a lot of influence on the Scottish government., 2023]]After the election of Humza Yousaf as Leader of the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Green Party National Council unanimously voted to direct its MSPs to vote for Yousaf to become First Minister and continue their power-sharing agreement. During the leadership campaign, the party had suggested it would not support a government led by the other candidates. The party's co-leaders served as ministers in the first Yousaf government from August 2021 to April 2024.
In government, the party introduced the first government bill from a Green Minister. (furthest right) announcing new legal targets for nature recovery.]]On 3 August 2023, Robin Harper, the party's first MSP resigned, claiming the party had 'lost the plot'. Harper announced he would vote Labour in the 2024 UK general election. Nonetheless, the party also enjoyed an unprecedented level of support.
In the central belt cities, the party also got closer to power, either supporting a minority administration or attempting to form a coalition with the SNP in Glasgow and Edinburgh. In March 2024, the party won its first ever by-election, electing Seonad Hoy as a councillor in Hillhead ward in Glasgow.
The Scottish Greens intend to contest the 2024 United Kingdom general election in Scotland.
The party has a Conduct and Complaints Committee. In May 2024, it expelled thirteen members after a disciplinary investigation. Those expelled were accused of breaching the party's code of conduct by signing the eight-point Scottish Green Declaration For Women's Sex-Based Rights that asserted that "sex is a biological reality", of which it was complained made the party less safe for transgender and non-binary members. The party has stated that "trans-exclusionary individuals of any kind are not welcome as members".
These groups have additional meetings and discussions which are separate from the main party meetings.
Co-leader Patrick Harvie has described the party's ideals as:
The party claims that, taken together, these principles give the party a holistic view that is in common with all green parties around the world.
In 2021, the party's conference backed a motion calling for the party to work "towards building a democratic ecosocialist system", which was taken by some internal groups, such as the Scottish Young Greens as the party backing eco-socialism. The party's critics on the Labour left like Coll McCail and Finn Smyth claim that it has taken a neo-liberal turn in office and is simply maintaining the status-quo by reneging on commitments like the establishment of a government owned energy company. Radical Independence Campaign co-founder Cat Boyd noted that while the party had been "a consistent ally of the radical left" she was concerned that may end as the party got closer to power due to "the temptations of 'pragmatic' coalition government".
McCail and Smyth's criticism was engaged with by the party. Green MSP Ross Greer who co-authored the party's power-sharing agreement with the SNP Scottish Government argued that they had identified the wrong problem, and that the Government's lacking capital borrowing powers was what forced the end of the policies they discussed.
After the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, in which she was elected as an MSP, Chapman argued that the left had "won the Scottish Green Party". She argued the election was the first which the party "run a campaign on the basis of policies rather than personalities or tactical voting messages" and that those policies emphasised social justice and climate justice.
The party's 2019 manifesto included pledges to implement a green new deal to tackle climate change and for future investment, the introduction of a universal basic income, the phasing in of a four-day week, support for rent controls and treating drug use as a health issue rather than a crime.
The party is also against oil and gas developments in Scotland, such as the proposed Cambo and Rosebank oil and gas fields.
In government, the party's ministers announced a ban on new waste incinerators and a new biodiversity strategy.
The Scottish Greens also supported the nationalisation of ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper, and advocates for "the whole of Scotland's railways – both track and train – to be brought into public ownership". The party, as part of its co-operation agreement with the Scottish Government scrapped peak-time rail fares for at least one year.
The party also supports a wider nationalisation of all rail, bus and ferry companies, alongside further investment in walking, wheeling and cycling.
The Scottish Green Party supports Scotland having its own currency if it were to become an independent country. The party has said this would be in order to establish full economic independence, rather than being tied to the pound sterling. Own currency fundamental to independent Scotland . Scottish Green Party (official website). Published 30 August 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2017. Scottish independence: Scottish Green Party launches 'Yes' campaign . BBC NEWS. Published 15 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2017. Scottish independence: Greens back Scots currency . The Scotsman. Author – Tom Peterkin. Published 6 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
The party backed the Scottish government's attempt to hold a second Scottish independence referendum in 2023, and made it a key part of its 2022 autumn conference.
However, in an interview at the party's 2023 autumn conference, co-leader Lorna Slater suggested that independence was not a "red line" for any future power-sharing deals with Scottish Labour, re-affirming similar comments during the independence referendum.
The party was the only party to support same-sex civil partnerships upon its entry to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. In 2003, the party's MSP Patrick Harvie introduced a bill to allow civil partnerships in Scotland. The bill failed, but was key to creating the debate on the topic which let to its passing at Westminster.
The Scottish Greens have also firmly supported reforms to the Gender Recognition Act 2004. The party's MSP Andy Wightman, and later, the party's first MSP Robin Harper both left the party over the policy. Despite this, the party remained committed to the policy, arguing that "...human rights, including the rights of trans people, are at the core of our vision and have been since our party was founded over 30 years ago". The party opposed the UK Government's veto of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
The political leadership roles are generally held by a present or aspiring elected politician, while internal leadership is held by a mixture of ordinary members and aspiring or elected politicians.
Unlike party leaders in most other political parties, the Scottish Greens' co-leaders are only elected for two year terms, after which they may seek re-election. Generally, incumbents are returned without opposition, but the inaugural co-leadership election, and 2015 co-convenorship election were contested.
| Patrick Harvie MSP for Glasgow (2003–present) | Lorna Slater MSP for Lothian (2021–present) | 1 August 2019 | Incumbent |
The party executive also oversees the work of the elected National Committees; Finance & Fundraising, Elections & Campaigns, Policy, Membership and International.
It is presently chaired by Carolynn Scrimgeour, previously a lead candidate for West Region in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.
| Vacant | March 2025 | Present | Carolynn Scrimgeour Lead candidate for West of Scotland (2021) | March 2024 | Incumbent | ||
| Jen Bell | August 2024 | March 2025 | |||||
| Ross Greer MSP for West of Scotland (2016–present) | August 2019 | August 2024 | |||||
| Vacant | December 2023 | March 2024 | |||||
| Ellie Gomersall NUS Scotland President (2022–24) | August 2022 | December 2023 | |||||
| Rachel Shanks | August 2021 | July 2022 | |||||
| Vacant | August 2019 | August 2021 |
The council is currently led by council co-convenors Laura Moodie and Kate Nevens.
| Laura Moodie Lead candidate for South Scotland (2021) | July 2022 | Incumbent | Kate Nevans Lead candidate for Lothian (2021) | March 2023 | Incumbent | ||
| James Puchowski | July 2021 | March 2023 | |||||
| Mags Hall Lead candidate for Mid Scotland and Fife (2021) | August 2019 | July 2022 | |||||
| Chris Ballance MSP for South Scotland (2003–07) | August 2019 | July 2021 |
| +Green MSPs in 2024 !Portrait !Name !Region !Portfolio | |||
| Lorna Slater MSP | Lothian (2021–present) | Co-leader of the Scottish Greens (2019–present) Spokesperson for Economy and Fair Work. | |
| Patrick Harvie MSP | Glasgow (2003–present) | Co-leader of the Scottish Greens (2008–present) Spokesperson for Net Zero, Constitution and External Affairs. | |
| Maggie Chapman MSP | North East Scotland (2021–present) | Spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Human Rights Member of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body | |
| Mark Ruskell MSP | Mid Scotland and Fife (2016–present, 2003–2007) | Spokesperson for Transport and the Environment | |
| Gillian Mackay MSP | Central Scotland (2021–present) | Spokesperson for Health, Social Care and Sport Member of the Parliamentary Bureau | |
| Ariane Burgess MSP | Highlands and Islands (2021–present) | Spokesperson for Communities, Housing and Rural Affairs | |
| Ross Greer MSP | West of Scotland (2016–present) | Spokesperson for Education and Finance |
The party made its first major breakthroughs at council level in the 2007 local elections, electing eight councillors between Glasgow City and the City of Edinburgh Councils.
In the 2012 local elections, this was increased to 14. The party elected councillors for the first time to Aberdeenshire, Stirling & Midlothian Councils.
At the 2017 local elections, the party returned a record 19 councillors, including elected councillors to Orkney Islands Council for the first time. However, the party lost its sole councillor on Midlothian Council.
The 2022 local elections saw another record number of Green councillors elected. Thirty five candidates gained seats across 13 local authorities, an increase of 16. This included the first ever Green councillors in North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Argyll & Bute, Clackmannanshire, Shetland, East Lothian, Moray and the Scottish Borders. In March 2024, the party won its first ever by-election, electing Seonad Hoy as a councillor in Hillhead ward in Glasgow.
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