Greener In: last full day of campaigning
Scottish Green MSPs Alison Johnstone and Andy Wightman joined activists today at the Green “Tardis” on Leith Walk in Edinburgh for the final day of campaigning before the European Referendum. In tribute to Jo Cox MP, representatives from other parties campaigning for an IN vote were invited, to show that “we are far more united…
Green councillor slams Greenbelt sacrifice
Commenting on today’s planning debate at full council on the allocation of Greenbelt land at Gogar, in the west of Edinburgh, Green councillor Steve Burgess said: “I am deeply disappointed that the Council agreed to wave this application through, despite very significant reasons for refusal: on transport, on the environment and on the integrity of the planning…
Lorne Street evictions: Greens react to suspension of evictions
Green councillors have reacted to news that the Agnes Hunter Trust has suspended attempts to evict its tenants in Lorne Street, Edinburgh. Green housing spokesperson Cllr Steve Burgess said: “While I am pleased that the Trust has removed the threat of en masse evictions, they should never have been threatened in the first place. In…
GP survey: Lothian Green MSP urges ministers to pick up pace
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, today said that the latest Health and Care Experience Survey shows that the early priorities of the new government must be investment in general practice and supporting unpaid carers. The annual survey of 100,000 Scots registered with a GP shows positive ratings for…
Murray development: Johnstone criticises council vote
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, today urged Edinburgh city council to reject proposals for 1,320 homes on greenbelt land between the City Bypass and Gogar Station Road. Councillors on the planning committee – except the Greens – yesterday signalled their approval of the proposal by Murray Estates, going against the officials’ recommended refusal.…
Trashing the Green Belt
Edinburgh Greens have reacted with dismay after the city’s planning committee voted – with the sole exception of the Green councillor present – to recommend the so-called “Garden District” for approval on a huge swathe of Greenbelt land. Green planning spokesperson Cllr Nigel Bagshaw said: “Sticking the adjective, “garden” in front of a development neither…
Selection process for 2017 council candidates
No sooner has the 2016 Holyrood election ended than the work for the next election in 2017 begins! We are currently selecting candidates for the 17 council wards to be contested in Edinburgh in May 2017: elections in which we aim to defend our currently-held 5 wards and add quite a few more. Selection is…
Scottish Greens: Johnstone and Wightman Elected
Newly elected Green MSPs respond to the Holyrood election results
Scottish Parliament Election Results in Lothian
The polls have now closed for the Scottish Parliament election 2016. 2 Green MSPs for Lothian! Lothian list result: 3 Conservative, 2 Labour, 2 Green. Green vote 34,551 votes, electing Alison Johnstone and Andy Wightman. Breakdown of Green regional list vote by area as follows: Edinburgh Central: 17.0% Edinburgh Eastern 11.5% Edinburgh Northern and Leith 18.1% Edinburgh…
Greens Ramp Up Bolder Holyrood Message
The Scottish Greens will today (2 May) ramp up their message of a bolder Holyrood, a better Scotland, with campaign activity across the country. The party is polling strongly on the regional vote, suggesting Green MSPs will be elected across the eight parliamentary regions. In what is the Scottish Greens’ biggest election campaign to date,…
Children Help Turn Scotland Green
With less than a week till Scotland elects a new parliament, Edinburgh nursery children today helped turn Scotland Green as the Scottish Greens campaign to win MSP representation in every one of the 8 parliamentary regions. The Scottish Greens – campaigning for a better Scotland, a bolder Holyrood – are polling strongly on the regional…
Schools repairs inquiry must have no forbidden territory say Green councillors
After the first meeting of Edinburgh City Council since the school repairs crisis broke, Green councillors say a clear commitment to an independent inquiry is needed to rebuild trust. Green education spokesperson Cllr Melanie Main said: “It is absolutely right for the focus just now to be on, first of all, getting repairs to schools…
Latest Poll Shows Momentum Is With Scottish Greens
The Scottish Greens today (27 April) welcomed the latest opinion poll, suggesting a record number of Green MSPs will be elected on 5 May. Analysis of the Ipsos Mori poll suggests 9 Green MSPs compared to 6 Lib Dems. Analysis of other recent polls has suggested between 7 and 12 Green MSPs. Sarah Beattie-Smith, Elections…
Greens say: Scotland can care for carers
The Scottish Greens today (26 April) underlined their commitment to supporting unpaid carers by visiting Leuchie House National Respite Centre in East Lothian. Manifesto pledges from the Greens – who are campaigning for A Better Scotland, A Bolder Holyrood – include using new devolved powers to raise the carer’s allowance by 50 per cent from…
Scottish Greens Publish Manifesto For Bolder Holyrood
The Scottish Greens today (12 April) launched their 2016 election manifesto, pledging to deliver a bolder Holyrood and a better Scotland. Opinion polls suggest Green MSPs will be elected from across the eight parliamentary regions. The party is enjoying a membership surge to over 9,000. Key manifesto pledges include: -Using newly devolved income tax powers…