4 Scottish Green leadership candidates set out their campaign pitches

The National

2 days ago

Here, Dominic Ashmole, Ross Greer, Lorna Slater and Gillian Mackay set out their campaign pitches.
We are living through the collapse of climate, nature, and the foundations of society. My candidacy challenges the [[Scottish Greens]] to speak more plainly about the dangerous times ahead, and to demand emergency-scale action — at Holyrood and across civic life.
The party has the rare advantage of two co-leaders. Let's use that well. While my colleague leads in Parliament, I would focus on the wider movement — working with the public, civic society, and our excellent Green councillors to accelerate and scale up the change we so urgently need.
We have a problem with hope. Everyone craves it — and voters demand it. But 'hope' has also become a smokescreen for delay. A marketing strategy used by the powerful to deny the scale of the emergency, sell imaginary solutions, and protect their control. We must learn to spot the difference between genuine hope and 'hopium'.
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2.5°C of heating is now likely by 2040. Four degrees before 2100 is increasingly probable. Scientists warn we'll soon cross multiple "tipping points" that endanger continued life on Earth. The suffering ahead is unimaginable. Food and water systems will fail. Billions of people — and other species — face unliveable futures.
If the Greens — as scientific and social realists — cannot call out this disaster, then who will? What's our role, beyond modest policy gains, if not to demand a proportionate and credible response?
We're rightly proud of Green successes, both national and local. But the brutal truth is: the crisis demands more — and faster. Rather than selling hope, we should be sounding the alarm and mobilising society for resilience, adaptation, and transformation.
Let's lead a grassroots emergency response. Let's empower a politics equal to this moment.
Let's prepare for the worst, strive for the best — and protect what we love.
Ross Greer MSP
One legacy of the 2014 Yes campaign was the sense of hope that Scotland could be a fairer, greener country. Our movement convinced people of this country's potential.
That hope faded fast in recent years though.
Brexit, Trump, Tory governments and a Labour government which acts like a Tory government have drained the hope from our politics.
The Scottish Greens can bring that hope back.
But to do that, we must become a far more effective campaigning movement. That's why I'm standing to be our co-leader.
As a campaigner, organiser and MSP, I have consistently delivered meaningful change for the Scottish Greens and for the people of Scotland.
Working with anti-poverty campaigners, I expanded free school meals to more young people and cancelled millions of pounds in school meal debt.
I co-ordinated our record-breaking 2021 election campaign.
And I've fought alongside the people of Balloch to protect our natural heritage at Loch Lomond from the corporate greed of Flamingo Land.
We have the radical ideas that Scotland needs. But to strengthen our party and movement, we must improve how we organise.
Climate justice requires social and economic justice. That means being brave enough to confront the super-rich, the big polluters and Westminster.
I want to bring my track record of fighting winning campaigns to the co-leader role and help elect record numbers of Green MSPs and councillors in 2026 and 2027.
Our party needs a clear strategy. A focus on tackling the climate and cost-of-living emergencies means easily explained proposals like expanding free bus travel and stronger rent controls.
Clearer messaging and simpler party structures will make it easier for members to campaign for these policies.
Scottish Greens are at our best when we're delivering the transformational change that people and planet desperately need. That will be my top priority."
Gillian Mackay MSP
At a time when politics is dominated by ego and inaction, we need bold, progressive leadership, especially from women with strong voices. From Safe Access Zones, to pushing for a ban on disposable vapes, securing free to air football and helping to re-instate school buses in North Lanarkshire, I've consistently delivered on causes I champion, securing real change.
Growing up in Grangemouth and living in Falkirk, I understand the challenges facing working people. I believe that my voice will resonate with people who live and work not only in our cities, but in post-industrial, rural and industrial towns the length and breadth of Scotland.
As a disabled woman and new mum, I know first-hand the struggles families face. That's why I'll champion a four-day week, better parental pay, and universal basic income, policies that will transform lives. I'm proud to stand with marginalised communities and will always be an ally for those underrepresented in politics.
As Greens, we must lead with courage, with our members at the heart of our movement. We are the only party willing act and tackle the root causes of inequality and injustice. It's time for fresh leadership.
Lorna Slater MSP
The next co-leaders of our party will be debating the future of Scotland in televised debates with parties of the far-right. As the only remaining women leader of a Scottish political party, I want to be on that platform, confidently and clearly taking on these men and their harmful ideas. I can reframe the debate from being about hate, to being about hope for a genuinely better future, in an independent Scotland.
I am re-standing for the role of co-leader to bring my years of experience of countering the anti-immigrant, anti-trans and climate denial, to the debates ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections, and support the Scottish Greens to win the largest numbers of MSPs and Councillors ever.
It has been my privilege to represent the [[Scottish Greens]] in our Parliament since 2021. As one of the first Green government ministers in the UK, I delivered a national upgrade to recycling infrastructure, and the transformative Nature Restoration Fund. It was my work in government that ensured that every organisation in receipt of Scottish Government grants, has to pay the living wage, increasing the wages of thousands of workers. My experience as a minister makes me especially effective, because I know exactly how to press ministers on their decisions and to follow up when the Government drops a commitment.
In the next term of parliament I intend to press the [[Scottish Government]] to action on cost of living, housing, climate and LGBT+ issues. I will continue work to reform council tax and give councils more powers, including those to raise funds.
The Scottish Greens are in transition from being a small, yet effective party, to being a major force in Scottish politics. We can build on our successes and build the Scotland that we want to see.