THE Scottish Greens did not take part in a session paying tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth ahead of inaugural First Minister’s Questions of the new Holyrood session.
The former monarch died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, and politicians from four of Holyrood’s five parties paid tribute one the eve of the one-year anniversary.
Before FMQs on Thursday, First Minister Humza Yousaf, Scottish Tory group leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar, and Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton all spoke of Queen Elizabeth.
But Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, the two Scottish Green co-leaders and ministers, did not take the floor.
In June 2022, the Greens left the Holyrood chamber rather than take part in a session paying tribute to the late monarch on her 70th Jubilee.
On Thursday, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, who was a Green MSP before taking on the role, recalled how the parliament had “conveyed our sincere condolences to the royal family” on the Queen’s passing, and called Yousaf to speak.
The First Minister (below) said: “One year since the passing of her majesty Queen Elizabeth does present a moment for reflection on a long and dedicated life of public service.
“I’m sure that colleagues will remember with great pride the beauty of Scotland’s landscapes but perhaps more importantly the warmth of Scotland’s people on her majesty’s final journey.
“Her majesty’s deep fondness for Scotland was well known. It is here that Queen Elizabeth chose to spend her most private family moments each summer.”
Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, recalled how “thousands of Scots gathered as her cortege made the final poignant six-hour journey from Balmoral to Holyrood palace as she’d wished”.
“Flowers marked the route in Ballater, bagpipes played in Aboyne, farmers lined their tractors on the roadside, and thousands stood on the Royal Mile to pay their last respects.”
Scottish Labour’s Sarwar praised the late monarch’s “kindness, wisdom, and integrity”, calling them “timeless values”.
“Scotland will remember her fondly,” he finished.
And Cole-Hamilton said there had been a “collective sigh of sadness and thanksgiving” across the whole world after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
