Scottish Greens name their Holyrood hopefuls for West Scotland
The Scottish Greens have announced two of their candidates for the West Scotland region ahead of next year's Holyrood election.
The party hopes to return a record number of MSPs at the ballot box next May, including two in West Scotland.
A recent poll indicated that the party could secure 15 MSPs, giving the Scottish Greens a stronger voice in Parliament to push for bold, fair and progressive policies that champion people and planet above corporate greed.
The local candidates for the Scottish Greens will be knocking on doors across the region, building the case for a fairer, greener West Scotland and to hear what issues are important to local people.
The Scottish Greens are supported by grassroots campaigners in communities across the country, not big businesses and millionaires, so hearing local issues on the ground is important for Green candidates.
At next May's election, the Scottish Greens hope to return a record number of MSPs, building on the result in 2021.
The party's lead candidates will be Ross Greer MSP and Cara McKee.
Reacting to the announcement, Scottish Greens Co-Leader, Lorna Slater MSP said: 'Next year's election is pivotal for the future of Scotland and our planet, that's why I am delighted that Scottish Green members have selected such strong lead candidates in West Scotland who will deliver real change in Holyrood.
'Greens have been the only influential left-wing force in the Scottish Parliament for decades, delivering free bus travel for young people, scrapping peak rail fares, and securing tax reforms to ensure the richest in society pay their fair share to support the services we all rely on, like our NHS.'
Scottish Greens lead candidate for West Scotland, Ross Greer MSP said: 'I am delighted to have been re-selected as the Scottish Greens' lead candidate for Ayrshire and the wider West of Scotland.
'From my work securing the funding to wipe out school meal debt held by hundreds of struggling local families to my ongoing campaign to save Loch Lomond from Flamingo Land, I will continue building on my track record of delivering for our region.
'Local volunteers and I are already knocking on doors across the region, ensuring the voices of local people are at the heart of our campaign for a fairer, greener Scotland.
'If returned to Parliament, I will make sure that tackling the climate crisis and ending the scandal of child poverty are put ahead of corporate greed.
'A vote for the Scottish Greens will get Scotland back on track in protecting climate and nature, builds a fairer society and takes Scotland closer to its future as an independent nation in the EU.'
Cara McKee said: 'Having more green voices in parliament gives us the opportunity to push for progressive policies that will make the lives of Ayrshire residents better. I am looking forward to working with local volunteers in my community, to return our biggest ever cohort of MSPs, to advocate for people and planet.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
3 hours ago
- STV News
Removal of dangerous cladding moving at ‘glacial pace', Lib Dems warn
The Scottish Government has been accused of removing dangerous cladding at a 'glacial pace', after figures showed just 0.2% of potentially affected buildings have completed remediation work. Out of an estimated 1,450 buildings that may require work to remove cladding, just three have been fully assessed under the Cladding Remediation Programme. Another 12 single building assessments (SBAs), which assess any risk to life as a result of cladding, are currently under way. Only two buildings in the country currently have active remediation work being undertaken. It comes despite the Government scheme having already received 600 expressions of interest from those responsible for potentially impacted buildings. The Scottish Liberal Democrats said there is 'no excuse' for slow progress after the Grenfell tragedy eight years ago. The party pointed to figures from England that show 48% of buildings identified with unsafe cladding have started or completed remediation work. Willie Rennie, the party's communities spokesman at Holyrood, said: 'In the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster, there can be no excuses for making such glacial progress, but this SNP Government continue to blunder their way through in slow motion. 'This is an issue where Scotland simply cannot afford to fall behind; by moving so sluggishly with the necessary building works, the SNP Government are only increasing the risks to people's lives. 'That's why I am imploring ministers to urgently step-up the pace in fixing at-risk buildings and keep homeowners, residents and local authorities informed on developments.' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'A ministerial working group on fire safety was established immediately following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and continues to co-ordinate cross-government activity to improve fire and building safety. 'The Scottish Government has introduced legislation mandating the use of fire-suppression systems in new-build multi-occupancy properties over 18 metres; introduced regulations prohibiting the use of combustible cladding materials on high-medium risk buildings; and introduced regulations requiring the installation of interlinked smoke alarms in all properties. 'We committed to addressing unsafe cladding and the wider system failures that allowed these risks to go unchallenged. That commitment is now underpinned by law through the Housing (Cladding Remediation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which took effect in January 2025. 'We are moving at pace to support the identification, assessment, mitigation and remediation of buildings affected by unsafe cladding. Where risks are identified and require immediate intervention, we will take appropriate action because protecting lives is our top priority and cannot wait. 'Since the Cladding Remediation Act came into effect in January, we have launched the single open call, backed by £10 million of Scottish Government funding, to enable residential property owners to apply for a Government-funded single building assessment. 'We will shortly be announcing the second stage of the single open call, which will allow homeowners to apply for funding for measures recommended by an assessment. 'We will continue to provide updates on progress.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
John Swinney brands Gaza crisis 'genocide' after Fringe show disrupted
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has described the ongoing crisis in Gaza as a "genocide" after a Fringe show he appeared at was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Police were called to the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh after the First Minister was interrupted seven times by six different groups of protesters during a conversation with comedian Susan Morrison . The protesters urged the First Minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking to journalists after the event, the First Minister said: "It's quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine - it can't be disputed. "I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide. "I've expressed that and obviously it's not reached all those individuals, but that's my feeling." First Minister John Swinney appearing with comedian Susan Morrison at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe | Craig Paton/PA Wire Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Government has also been criticised for - while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions - providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons. But the First Minister said the Government's commercial arm Scottish Enterprise has the "strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies who may be related to defence industries". Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the First Minister added: "We're trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that's the purpose. "That's why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Throughout the show, groups of attendees stood up, holding signs which spelled the word "genocide", and heckled the First Minister. As the event continued, the interruptions became more forceful, before two groups stood at the same time, angrily shouting at the First Minister and chanting slogans such as "call it genocide". Members of his security team stood in front of the stage, stopping protesters from approaching the First Minister, before three uniformed police officers arrived at the venue to usher the protesters out. During the tense exchange, which lasted several minutes, a number of the crowd - who were not protesting - appeared to be in tears. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A final disruption came from one woman in the crowd, who asked the First Minister why he had not responded to her letter about heavy metal band Disturbed playing at the Hydro in Glasgow . The band's lead singer David Draiman has been criticised after being pictured signing an Israeli bomb. The woman asked the First Minister why he did not speak out on Disturbed playing at the city's biggest venue, when he said it would be inappropriate for Irish band Kneecap to play the TRNSMT festival after comments members of the band had made about Tory MPs. The First Minister said his comments on Kneecap had come due to questions from the media and he "didn't particularly" want to speak about the band earlier this year, adding that he did not want to choose what art people do and do not consume. The woman became increasingly angry with the First Minister's response and was eventually dragged from the venue by a police officer, whom she branded a "thug".
STV News
6 hours ago
- STV News
Swinney brands Gaza crisis ‘genocide' after Fringe show disrupted
Scottish First Minister John Swinney has described the ongoing crisis in Gaza as a 'genocide' after a Fringe show he appeared at was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Police were called to the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh after the First Minister was interrupted seven times by six different groups of protesters during a conversation with comedian Susan Morrison. The protesters urged the First Minister to describe the crisis as a genocide and stop state funding for arms companies. Speaking to journalists after the event, the First Minister said: 'It's quite clear that there is a genocide in Palestine – it can't be disputed. 'I have seen reports of terrible atrocities which have the character of being genocide. PA Media First Minister John Swinney appeared on stage with comedian Susan Morrison 'I've expressed that and obviously it's not reached all those individuals, but that's my feeling.' The Scottish Government has also been criticised for – while not funding directly the manufacturing of munitions – providing money for apprenticeships at firms which build weapons. But the First Minister said the Government's commercial arm, Scottish Enterprise, has the 'strictest assessments imaginable about the purpose and the use of public expenditure in companies that may be related to defence industries'. Pushed on providing money for staff who could potentially build munitions, the First Minister added: 'We're trying to enable companies to diversify their activities, that's the purpose. 'That's why the due diligence checks are applied and they are applied unreservedly.' Throughout the show, groups of attendees stood up, holding signs which spelt the word 'genocide', and heckled the First Minister. PA Media Police were called in to remove pro-Palestinian protesters from the event As the event continued, the interruptions became more forceful, before two groups stood at the same time, angrily shouting at the First Minister and chanting slogans such as 'call it genocide'. Members of his security team stood in front of the stage, stopping protesters from approaching the First Minister, before three uniformed police officers arrived at the venue to usher the protesters out. During the tense exchange, which lasted several minutes, a number of the crowd – who were not protesting – appeared to be in tears. A final disruption came from one woman in the crowd, who asked the First Minister why he had not responded to her letter about heavy metal band Disturbed playing at the Hydro in Glasgow. The band's lead singer, David Draiman, has been criticised after being pictured signing an Israeli bomb. The woman asked the First Minister why he did not speak out on Disturbed playing at the city's biggest venue, when he said it would be inappropriate for Irish band Kneecap to play the TRNSMT festival after comments members of the band had made about Tory MPs. The First Minister said his comments on Kneecap had come due to questions from the media and he 'didn't particularly' want to speak about the band earlier this year, adding that he did not want to choose what art people do and do not consume. The woman became increasingly angry with the First Minister's response and was eventually dragged from the venue by a police officer, whom she branded a 'thug'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
