Scottish Greens look ahead to record results at next Scottish elections
Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater rallied party activities at their autumn conference in Greenock, saying their party will stand at the next election on a “boldly progressive platform of real change.”
Slater celebrated her party’s achievements in government, from free bus travel for young people to record investment in climate and nature, and said her party would continue to be “effective and constructive” from opposition.
Addressing her party conference, Ms Slater said, “I’m deeply proud of what we achieved during our time in Government.
“From free bus travel for all our young people, to the biggest expansion of the living wage and the Scottish Child Payment since devolution; Scotland’s first emergency rent freeze and eviction protections during the cost of living crisis, bans on polluting behaviours like incineration, single use plastics and disposable vapes, increased multi-year funding for nature restoration and active travel the policies you, our Scottish Green members, decided on at past conferences were being put into action. Making people’s lives better, day in, day out.
“In or out of government we are committed to delivering the change that Scotland needs.”
Turning her attention to record general election results for her party earlier in the year, Ms Slater said: “We know that voters appreciate Green values and leadership. They told us so, at this year’s General election, which saw record Scottish Green results up and down the country.
“Whilst Rishi Sunak couldn’t even muster an umbrella, our activists pulled off our biggest on-the-ground campaign since before the pandemic. A substantial effort at short notice.
“In the record 44 seats in which we stood, we nearly doubled our vote share, with over 92,000 people casting their vote for us and demonstrating support for the Scottish Greens all over Scotland, including in the islands.
“In our biggest cities, we are now the third party, beating the Tories and the Lib Dems in one of their biggest elections. And how did we do it? Through your hard work, determination, and our positive vision for how Green values and policies can change this country.
“In the next few months branches will begin selecting their target wards and candidates and start looking ahead to Holyrood 2026.
“I am glad that the Scottish Greens are being recognised as influential, and we can do even more with more of us elected into Holyrood.
“Whilst the SNP lurch to the right and court the votes and donations of Big Oil, and Labour continue to support nuclear weapons and Tory fiscal rules that let the rich get even richer, while public services crumble, the Scottish Greens will stand on a boldly progressive platform of real change. We have a clear position. We have a big opportunity.”