Series of polls show Scottish Greens on course to overtake Tories at Holyrood
A new poll which sees the Scottish Greens poised to usurp the Scottish Tories as the third largest party at Holyrood should serve as a clarion call for progressive, climate focused politics, the party’s co-leader Lorna Slater MSP has said.
The new Scottish Parliament poll by 'Survation' puts the Scottish Greens tied on 14% (up three points) with the Tories (down five points), and comes after a further two back-to-back polls in the past 24-hours showing a surge in support for the party.
Ms Slater said:
“Our work towards delivering a fairer, greener and more equal Scotland for all is clearly striking a chord with voters, given this is the third poll in a row indicating a rise in support for our policies and performance in government.
“We have shown how working progressively, collaboratively and for people and the planet can deliver real action, such as our work with colleagues in parliament this week on delivering new protections over rents and evictions.
“The Tories, meanwhile, are in freefall.
“Watching them implode as a party is becoming a daily spectacle and we simply never know what self-inflicted disaster they will inflict on the nation next. They have no credible leadership, no ideas and no workable plan for the country.
“As a result, people are rejecting their economy busting, planet wrecking and isolationist approach to politics on both sides of the border.
“While they continue to look out for themselves with tax breaks for the super rich, protecting bankers’ bonuses and rushing back to polluting fossil fuels, we will keep working in the interests of the Scottish people and our climate.
“We must always be mindful that polls can change, but so many strong results in a row should serve as a clarion call for progressive, climate focused politics.”
Editor's Notes
The result is the joint highest performance in the pro-independence party’s history, and follows on from the first anniversary of the Bute House Agreement which saw the Scottish Government appoint Ms Slater and Co-Leader Patrick Harvie as Ministers.
Mr Harvie has been leading the Cost of Living Protection for Tenants Bill through Parliament as Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights.
It also follows high profile party campaigns from other Scottish Green MSPs on buffer zones, attempts to prevent the Flamingo Land leisure resort from being built at Loch Lomond gender recognition reform, support for coastal communities, a ban on greyhound racing in Scotland, new national parks, incineration ban and work on a circular economy led.
The Scottish Greens Autumn Conference next weekend looks certain to be at full capacity with hundreds of members attending in Dundee as the party discusses its continued progress and looks to set out its future vision.