Gillian Mackay announces her intent to run for election as Scottish Greens co-leader
The Lanarkshire-based MSP has pointed to her success delivering on campaigns.
Gillian Mackay MSP has announced today that she is standing for the leadership of the Scottish Greens.
The Lanarkshire-based Central Scotland Region representative is the first party member to declare their intention for the position.
The election was sparked following the decision by Patrick Harvie to step down as party leader after 17 years; he is currently co-leader alongside Lorna Slater.
Mackay, who is expecting a baby in the coming months, has had notable parliament success championing a number of Green policies including free bus travel for everyone up to 22 years old and the permanent scrapping of peak rail fares, announced recently. She also led the campaign to impose safety zones for women around abortion clinics.
Her ambition to lead the party was revealed during a press call outside the People's Palace at Glasgow Green on Friday morning.
Mackay said: 'Today, I'm really pleased to announce that I'm running for co-leader of the Scottish Greens.
'There was a lot to weigh up as we're expecting a baby, as well as all the other things that are going on in politics.
'For me, I feel it's the right time to step up, take charge and deliver for both the party and the communities across Scotland.
'Patrick's been co-leader of the Greens for my entire adult life. He's done a brilliant job to get us where we are but I feel that I'm one of the people who can help deliver on that, not just in terms of good electoral results but bring together communities like those I represent in Central Scotland."
She added: 'A core part of Green politics is standing with minorities who need us and I'll be proud to continue to do that, whether that be as part of the party or as co-leader if I'm elected."
The MSP believes there is much work to do to but the Greens can improve further on previous election results and deliver meaningful policies for people in Scotland.
'There's always a fear after you've had your best ever result, but I really think that what Scotland needs at the moment is some hope,' Mackay continued.
'A lot of the policies we have, from under-22s' free bus travel to scrapping peak rail fares, show that you can put money back into the pockets of people and that we're willing to make hard decisions to do that.
'Over the last four years I think I've shown that I can deliver on the campaigns that I've brought forward, such as safe access zones [around women's health clinics], and rolling back the cuts to free school buses in North Lanarkshire.'
While the MSP will be taking time out in the coming months she is prepared for the hard work ahead with a Scottish Parliament election on the horizon.
She said: 'I'm heading for maternity leave soon but I'll be handing things over to my colleagues for them to build on and I'll be back in six months with even more to do.'
The MSP thoroughly enjoys being out helping whoever she can in the constituency and if she is successful in the leadership bid, that won't change.
'Bringing people together is one of my strong points and something I really enjoy as part of this job,' said Mackay. 'I really enjoy being in the communities I represent and while the region is changing [boundary changes] over the next wee while, it's absolutely my commitment to my constituents that they will continue to see as much of me, if not more.'
The MSP who was raised in Grangemouth also spoke of her anger at the effects on the community there following the closure of the Ineos Oil Refinery.
'I'm raging at how the community has been left behind by multiple governments,' she admitted. 'There's far more that should have been done to make sure we aren't losing the jobs that we are. I'm really concerned for the own that I grew up in if some of these people leave.
"I've been asking government recently, how do we retain those skills and keep them here in that short term when the refinery is not operating and people have been made redundant. And how do we ensure small businesses around the town that rely on them continue to remain open and thriving.
"There's plenty of rhetoric coming out about the Grangemouth and Falkirk growth deal out but as far as I can see, not a lot to support those small businesses are a core and well-loved part of the community.'
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