Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer has confirmed he’ll stand for co-leadership of his party, setting up a lively contest for the top job after Patrick Harvie’s decision to step down.
A Fresh Face for a Party in Transition
Greer, 30, is no stranger to Holyrood. Representing the West Scotland region since 2016, he’s built a reputation as one of the Greens’ most outspoken figures — quick with a pointed question, never shy about tackling controversy head-on.
His candidacy, expected for weeks but now official, signals the party’s next phase as it tries to hold on to its hard-won place at the heart of Scottish politics.
One sentence: This isn’t just about the Greens — it’s about where Scotland’s climate and cost-of-living debate heads next.
What Greer Wants to Change
So what’s he pitching? Free bus travel expansion, for one. The Scottish Greens have already claimed credit for free travel for under-22s — but Greer says it’s time to go further.
He’s also calling for steeper taxes on the wealthy to tackle the rising cost of living and bring down carbon emissions in tandem.
His pitch to members will likely land well with the party’s younger base, who see transport, tax, and climate as intertwined battles.
Who He’s Up Against
Greer won’t have the field to himself. Lorna Slater, co-leader since 2019, is running again. She’s best known for steering the party’s environment portfolio during the power-sharing deal with the SNP — a move that won them their first ministerial posts but drew criticism from parts of the membership.
One-liner: Not everyone thinks that partnership paid off.
Gillian MacKay is also in the race. The Central Scotland MSP grabbed headlines with her successful buffer zones legislation around abortion clinics — a landmark bill that made it through Holyrood after years of debate.
Under Green party rules, one leader must be a woman, so Greer is vying for the “male or open” slot while Slater and MacKay battle for the women’s seat.
A Party Still Finding Its Balance
Patrick Harvie’s departure marks the end of an era for the Greens. Holyrood’s longest-serving party leader helped turn a small protest group into a serious voice in Scottish politics — but it hasn’t been smooth sailing.
Internal rows over gender policy and the now-ended power-sharing deal with the SNP have left the party facing uncomfortable questions about its identity and its strategy for winning new voters.
One line: Whoever takes over will need to steady the ship — and fast.
Timeline for the Leadership Contest
The race won’t drag on for long. Members will vote over the summer, with the results expected before Holyrood returns from its break at the end of August.
Here’s what’s at stake:
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Keeping the Greens’ climate credentials credible.
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Avoiding an internal split over how radical the party should be.
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Staying relevant in a Parliament where Labour and the SNP are both vying for progressive voters.
| Candidate | Key Policies | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Ross Greer | Expand free bus travel, tax the wealthy, climate action | Youngest MSP at 21, West Scotland rep |
| Lorna Slater | Green growth, cost of living support | Minister since 2021, co-leader since 2019 |
| Gillian MacKay | Health protections, equality rights | Pushed landmark buffer zones law |
Scotland’s climate debate isn’t slowing down. Neither is the cost-of-living squeeze. For the Greens, the question now is whether a fresh face like Greer — known for his blunt style — can reconnect with voters who feel let down by politics-as-usual.
His allies say he’s ready. Critics say he talks a good game but needs to show he can keep the party together.
One sentence: Either way, August can’t come soon enough.
