THE leaders of the Scottish Greens have been invited to join the next first minister at an independence rally on the day of King Charles’s coronation.
All Under One Banner (AUOB) sent invitations to the May 6 event out to Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater after all three SNP leadership contenders agreed to speak.
Whoever wins the SNP leadership race, be it Humza Yousaf, Ash Regan, or Kate Forbes, is expected to have been officially installed as first minister by the time of the coronation.
The result of the membership ballot is due to be announced on March 27.
In an invite to the Green leaders asking them to join the next SNP leader at the event, AUOB wrote: “The May 6 national demonstration for self determination is the opportunity for mass unity in action, as independence supporters from all walks of life and political dispositions march together as one, all under one banner, and rally before a broad platform of speakers from across Scotland's pro-indy landscape.”
Tens of thousands of people will take to the streets of Glasgow on 6 May at the National demonstration for self determination. The next SNP Leader & FM is attending, as well as big support from across #YES. This means rapidly increased momentum. Unity in action. Make it massive! pic.twitter.com/BfxOQ8aZ3i
— All Under One Banner (@AUOBNOW) March 16, 2023
Slater and Harvie were both asked for a response by Wednesday, March 22.
The Greens have previously been publicly critical of the monarchy, which they would like to see abolished.
At the Queen’s 70th Jubilee in 2022, the Scottish Greens walked out of a debate in Holyrood on the topic, saying they would serve their constituents instead.
The move sparked anger from the Tories, with one MSP labelling it a “very crass stunt”.
The Greens have been asked for their response to the AUOB invitation.
The campaign group previously confirmed that Forbes and Regan had both accepted their invitation to appear at the May 6 rally.
A spokesperson for Yousaf’s campaign has confirmed to The National that he accepts the invitation.
If the new first minister follows through and attends it would signal a shift in the attitude of the SNP leadership toward such rallies.
Nicola Sturgeon had attracted criticism from some quarters of the Yes movement for failing to attend similar events.
She spoke at one rally in 2022 after the Supreme Court ruled Scotland could not hold indyref2 without Westminster consent, and at a rally organised by The National in Glasgow in 2019.
The BBC reported at the time that the George Square demonstration was the first independence rally Sturgeon had attended in five years.
