SGP Annual Conference 2015
This coming weekend, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October, the Scottish Green Party will be holding its largest ever annual conference. This is a space for members to come together, shape policy, deliberate important questions, share learning and make connections to inform future progress. You can still book your place online here, or alternatively…
Back to drawing board on City Region expansion plans, say Greens
A key document designed to oversee growth of the Edinburgh city region needs to be sent back to the drawing board, Green councillors have argued. The Strategic Development Plan Main Issues Report (SESPlan MIR) ends its consultation period today (30 September). It sets out a context for planning and development in the south east of…
Fracking: Johnstone warns of pandering to private interest
Alison Johnstone has today commented on a new report commissioned by Cluff Natural Resources PLC, which outlines potential economic benefits of underground coal gasification. Johnstone urged the Scottish Government to not be tempted by the short-sighted proposals fracking companies are putting forward, but to focus instead on proper investment in a controlled transition to a…
Green MSP challenges Edinburgh budget cuts as “public service vandalism”
Green MSP Alison Johnstone has challenged budget plans in Edinburgh which could see £141 million worth of cuts and the loss of 2,000 jobs over the next 4 years. The council’s Finance Committee will debate the draft proposals next week (24 September) which have already drawn stinging criticism from trade unions and community groups. Ms…
More Green MSPs predicted; and trusted to hold SNP to account
Scottish Greens are welcoming the latest Holyrood polls suggesting the party is on course to secure a much bigger group of MSPs in the 2016 election and that the public trusts the party to hold the Scottish Government to account. A Survation poll for the Daily Mail has the Scottish Greens on 11 per cent…
Greens reflect on by-election near-miss in Edinburgh’s Leith Walk ward
The Greens said they were disappointed but not surprised in narrowly losing out in Edinburgh’s double-header by-election in Leith Walk, having secured 1381 (22%) first preference votes, an increase on 2012. Green candidate Susan Rae said: “Of course, I am disappointed to have fallen just short but I am hugely grateful to everyone who backed…
Greens throw hat into ring for Edinburgh Central contest
An already intriguing battle for the Edinburgh Central seat in May 2016 has been given a new twist with the news that Green MSP Alison Johnstone is to contest the seat. Ms Johnstone, who has been a Lothian MSP since 2011 and a Green councillor before that, was confirmed as the Greens’ candidate last Thursday…
Green MP backing Leith Walk campaign
With less than 2 weeks until the Leith Walk by-election, local Green campaigners were delighted when Brighton Pavilion’s Green MP Caroline Lucas visited the stall on Elm Row. Caroline was in Edinburgh to speak at the book festival about her book “Honourable Friends?”.
Rent increase: Johnstone calls for urgent action
Letting agent Your Move have today released new figures showing further increases to rent levels in Scotland. Scottish tenants are paying 2.8% more rent than a year ago, with particularly high increases in the Highlands and Islands region at 5.4%. Average monthly rent now stands at £549. Edinburgh and Lothians as well as Glasgow and…
Edinburgh region city deal needs to look to greener future
Responding to the latest developments on an Edinburgh Region City Deal, Green councillors have welcomed progress but said that a greener future needs to be part of its DNA. The city council is working with 5 adjacent councils – East, Mid and West Lothian, Scottish Borders and Fife – to secure a £1 billion package…