THE Scottish Greens are a political party in Scotland, with representation in both Holyrood and in various councils across the country.
At the recent General Election, the party reported record results across the country after standing a record 44 candidates.
Read on for the history of the party, all the latest updates and a look at the full list of MSPs.
Scottish Greens history
The Scottish Greens’ history dates back to the mid-1970s as the Ecology Party, although the Green Party first came into being in 1985.
However, five years later, they split into separate, independent parties for Scotland, Northern Ireland and England and Wales.
The party won one seat in the first Holyrood election in 1999, when Robin Harper became the UK’s first Green parliamentarian.
Scottish Green MSPs
Despite winning eight MSPs in the 2021 Holyrood election, the Scottish Greens are only considered to have seven in Parliament.
This is because Alison Johnstone (below) is considered not to have any political affiliations in her role as Presiding Officer.
The Scottish Greens do not have any representatives at a constituency level, with all of them representing various regions across Scotland. Here’s a look at who they are:
- Ariane Burgess – MSP for Highlands and Islands
- Maggie Chapman – MSP for North East Scotland
- Ross Greer – MSP for West Scotland
- Patrick Harvie – MSP for Glasgow
- Gillian Mackay – MSP for Central Scotland
- Mark Ruskell – MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife
- Lorna Slater – MSP for Lothian
Scottish Greens Co-leaders
The Scottish Greens are currently led by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, with the party adopting a new constitution in 2019 to replace its previous co-convener position.
Slater (above), who is originally from Canada, was first elected as an MSP for the Lothian region at the 2021 election.
Harvie meanwhile has been an MSP for the Glasgow region since 2003.
Latest Scottish Greens news
Here's a selection of the latest news stories involving the Scottish Greens.
Greens in call for 'mansion tax' in Scottish Budget
Patrick Harvie calls for 'proper apology' for Australia's indigenous people
Ellie Gomersall: Scottish Greens must push for more in next Budget
Latest Scottish Greens policies
The Scottish Greens are a pro-independence party and also back the creation of a Scottish republic, with the party’s website describing the monarchy as “outdated and fundamentally undemocratic”.
The party has also consistently called for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to all arms sales, with Green councillors in Edinburgh previously securing a ban on arms trade advertising on council owned assets or events.
In her previous role as circular economy minister, Lorna Slater was responsible for Scotland’s deposit return scheme, which has since been delayed until at least October 2025.
The Scottish Greens also previously backed plans for Highly Protected Marine Areas in Scottish waters, although it was previously confirmed that these had been scrapped.
Elsewhere, the party has called for Scotland football matches to be available on free-to-air TV, a ban on disposable vapes and for peak rail fares to be scrapped after the Scottish Government announced it would be ending its trial to reduce ticket prices.
