Lothian Green MSP report – March 2025

Top & Timely

Patrick Harvie has announced today that he will not be re-standing for co-leader at this summer’s internal elections. It is my intention to re-stand.

Here is my press release on this:

“For nearly 17 years, Patrick Harvie has been the face of Green politics in Scotland. A champion for nature, the environment, the LGBTQ+ community, tenants, cyclists and the ‘Real Ale’ pub scene – the legacy of his time leading our party is historic and iconic.

Since he was first elected Co-Leader in 2008, Patrick has led the party through monumental change. From the days of just two MSPs to our current record of 8 MSPs elected, a Green in the seat of Presiding Officer and being one of the first 2 Green Ministers in the UK when we joined the Scottish Government in 2021, Patrick has been at the forefront of it all.

Throughout our time together as co-leaders and as ministers, Patrick has been a thoughtful and loyal teammate.

He has been a friend not just to me, but to all those he has helped since he was first elected in 2003. His achievements are often understated, but to anyone who has encountered this calm and tenacious man, you will know how deeply he cares about the work he does in our parliament day after day.

And whilst his time as leader comes to an end, I am glad his time in politics continues.

It has been such a privilege to co-lead the Scottish Greens with Patrick over the last five years and I look forward to continuing to work with him for many more in the Scottish Green Group at Holyrood.

The party will be gearing up for a co-leadership election this summer, with the intention of working towards an even larger Scottish Green Group being elected in 2026. I am looking forward to taking part in the debates and democratic processes as the party elects a new co-leadership team to take us into 2026 and beyond.”

Media & Chamber

I spoke in our chamber debates and remembrance of 3 years of war in Ukraine.

I spoke in favour of trans rights in the horrible anti-trans Tory debate.

There have been several debates this month in my portfolio area of Economy and Fair work, in which I have been able to challenge other party’s focus on ‘growth’ at the expense of well-being and the environment.

I participated in the the ‘Interview with the Backbench’ podcast and assorted media around the proposed Trump state visit, including Good Morning Scotland.

Regional & Campaigns

I am making progress towards setting up an organisation to bring together stakeholders and the community for Holyrood Park. Initially this is getting evidence on what structure and governance might be appropriate, so that a proposal can be taken to the next community meeting to be voted on.

I hosted the twice-yearly community meeting on the restoration of Linlithgow Loch on 31 March . The community expressed its frustration with lack of progress by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Scottish Water in particular. I was grateful to some of the local farmers for joining us at this meeting, ensuring these important voices got heard. I have taken the action to write to HES and Scottish Water to chase them for action updates.

Committee & Portfolio

We have had the first draft of the Community Wealth Building Bill which is disappointing as it only calls for the ‘creation of plans’ for community wealth building, rather than making any legislative changes directly. I am looking into how this may be amended, to make these pans more robust, but there will be some consideration as to whether this bill is fit-for-purpose at all.

I am continuing to meet with businesses, trade unions, Skills Development Scotland and to take evidence at committee on apprenticeships in Scotland and what a ‘new deal for apprentices’ might look like in Scotland. Something that provides the needed skills and ensures that apprentices are treated right.

I have hosted further meetings for businesses and organisations in sustainable fibres, including wool producers and Scottish designers, to help them work together to make progress on some of their challenges around marketing, skills, business support and industrial strategy.

I have been asked to join a second, and temporary committee, which is the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body Committee for the review of Supported Bodies i.e. the review of commissioners. There have been assorted members bills recently proposing new commissioners: for older people, for neurodivergence, for victims, for patient safety etc, and this committee was convened to have a look at this landscape to understand the reason for this proliferation and how to deliver the aims of these bills effectively and in a cost-proportionate manner.

Other things

The Party will imminently be opening nominations for candidate selection for Holyrood 2026. Please consider standing. We are expecting to elect a larger MSP group and we want a diverse group of MSPs. Please especially consider standing if you are a person of colour, woman, rainbow Green or disabled.

The Party Spring Conference is on 12 April – please join in, in-person or online, for excellent chat about policy and politics.

I will be giving evidence at the BIFFA vs the Scottish Government trial in July, and have spent a great deal of time preparing evidence and testimony for this.

I met with SELECT with the intention of supporting their call for making electricians a regulated profession in Scotland by bringing a members bill in the next term of Parliament.