Latest news with #ScottishGreens
Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
SNP and Labour can't be anti-Reform choice; Scottish Greens can
Any SNP leader would struggle to make them credible as an anti-Reform option. They have been the party of government for the best part of two decades. The anger people feel about the decline in public services is squarely on them. But Mr Swinney's bland managerialism just adds to their problems. Patrick Harvie was absolutely right to call this out recently at his last ever FMQs as co-leader of the Scottish Greens. Since taking charge, John Swinney has watered down rent controls, stopped legislation to help get homes off expensive fossil fuels, abandoned human rights and equality laws, and ditched environmental action such as creating a new national park. Fighting Reform demands action, not inaction. Labour is no better, though. Despite having the keys to power in Westminster for a lot less time, Labour can't shake the self-inflicted harm of welfare cuts, winter fuel, and keeping the two-child cap that is driving their slump in the polls. Even more limiting in them being seen as an anti-Reform option is their penchant for lapping up Reform talking points. It is a fundamental error to think you can beat the far right by copying the far right. Reform's politics are poisonous and divisive and must be opposed head-on. Greens are ready and able to do this. We know that the millionaires behind Reform are not on the side of working people. We know the solutions they are selling are nothing but snake oil, scapegoating migrants for our problems when the real threat is those who are hoarding vast wealth. We know that the enemy of the people arrives by private jet, not by dinghy. Greens can also demonstrate a deep connection to communities when there is widespread distrust in the political establishment. In the last council elections in Glasgow, Green votes went up everywhere, but they went up the most where there already was a Green councillor. When people have a Green representative, they want to keep them. In contrast, Reform councillors just don't seem up to the job. This week, I called out Cllr Thomas Kerr. He defected to Reform in January but hasn't said a peep in Council meetings since. He's not asked a question on behalf of his constituents or spoken up in important debates, and he sat on his hands during the budget in February. All while taking a wage out of taxpayers' pockets. He has more time for the TV cameras than he does for his constituents. That's not good enough. As a party, the Greens have work to do. We are selecting our Holyrood candidates and that is a chance for us to present a fresh face to voters. We can also learn from others on the left who are sharpening how they communicate and connect on issues that matter. But it is increasingly obvious that the only credible anti-Reform option in Scotland is the Scottish Greens. Join us.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Question Time called out as Reform councillor on St Andrews panel
Thomas Kerr, a Glasgow councillor who defected from the Tories, is due to take part in the flagship debate programme on Thursday night from St Andrews. All of Reform UK's Scottish politicians are defectors from the Tories or Scottish Labour. They have not won an election north of the Border. Kerr will join Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Tory MP Andrew Bowie and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch on the programme. READ MORE: Patrick Harvie and Angus Robertson face-off over Israel divestment A number of social media users pointed out that both the Scottish Greens and Scottish LibDems have more elected representatives than Reform, but are not as frequently platformed by the broadcaster. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: 'Reform and the politics they represent are a direct threat to Scotland. We all saw what they were really about during the Hamilton by-election – where they ran a campaign of hate-fuelled prejudice and misinformation, showing themselves to be a racist, far-right party. 'Long before his rise in the opinion polls, the BBC gave Nigel Farage an extraordinarily high profile, as one of the most regular faces at the Question Time table. Now, they are doing the same in Scotland where his latest political vehicle has never had so much as a local councillor elected. 'It is frankly bizarre that the BBC has chosen to platform a representative of a party with zero electoral track record, and a party whose politics have been shown to be dishonest, divisive and dangerous.' Tomorrow, Question Time is in St Andrews Joining Fiona are Anas Sarwar, Andrew Bowie, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Thomas Kerr, and Lesley Riddoch 9pm on the @BBCNews channel, @BBCiPlayer and @BBCSounds, or @BBCOne at 10:40pm Apply now: — BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) June 25, 2025 A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'Question Time is a national programme which must be relevant to audiences across the UK and reflect a wide range of political views. "We continue to seek a range of views when Question Time comes to Scotland and across this series, our panels have had representation from the various political parties, including the Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats. 'We also take account of the most recent electoral performance and electoral movement since the election. "Reform have consistently polled strongly all across the UK and in a recent Scottish Parliamentary by-election (Hamilton, Rutherglen and Stonehouse), Reform polled 26% of the vote, and finished third, behind Labour and SNP.' Kerr's inclusion on the programme sparked a strong reaction online. SNP MSP James Dornan said: 'Once again we see the once unknown Tory councillor Thomas Kerr on BBC. I have no doubt at all that him deserting that sinking ship to join Reform had absolutely nothing to do with it of course.' Scottish Greens Glasgow councillor Jon Molyneux added: 'Thomas Kerr has more time for TV cameras than he does for his constituents. He's not contributed to a council meeting for six months. 'Too much like hard work or running scared? He should do the job taxpayers pay him for and open up his snake oil to proper scrutiny.' READ MORE: SNP MPs join Labour rebels in bid to kill off benefit cuts On social media user said: 'When was the last time, BBC Question Time had a 'councillor' from a political party? They are so desperate to platform Reform.' Another added: 'Reform, again. No elected representatives in Scotland, but let's promote them anyway at the expense of the other parties who do have elected politicians.' One said simply: 'Again where are the Liberal Democrats or the Greens, Might as well just call it the Reform show #bbcbias.' It comes as a new MRP poll from YouGov, released on Thursday morning, predicted Reform winning three Westminster seats in Scotland.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
I'm an engineer hoping to be the first Palestinian Scot elected to Holyrood
Adam Al-khateb, who is currently running to be the list candidate for the Scottish Greens in Lothian, is hoping to make history by becoming the first Arab candidate elected to Holyrood. The 32-year-old Edinburgh-born activist, who is standing for selection on the Scottish Green Party's regional list in Lothian, told The National he wants to give voice to underrepresented communities — particularly Palestinians and the wider Arab and Muslim population in Scotland. Al-khateb is the co-convener of the party's Palestine Solidarity Group and has been a member of the Greens since 2024, citing the party's strong stance on Gaza as a key reason for joining alongside his own environmental background. READ MORE: Scottish Government responds to claims of 'Iranian pro-independence accounts' "The Scottish Greens have never had a candidate from a Muslim or Arab background. In fact, no Arab has ever stood for Scottish Parliament. So if selected, it would be a historic milestone — not just for the Greens, but for Scottish politics," he said. Al-khateb said he's never felt represented by the cohort of MSPs in Holyrood, adding: "That's one of the biggest reasons I'm standing — to give Palestinians and the wider Arab community a voice. We've had some great representation from other communities, particularly politicians with Asian heritage, but never from the Arab community." Former first minister Humza Yousaf was the countries first Muslim leader, and Anas Sarwar is the first leader of the opposition who is also Muslim. Both have faced fierce discrimination, most recently from rising Reform UK in the form of campaign materials targeting Sarwar. Al-khateb was born in the capital and attended Edinburgh Napier University where he studied energy and environmental engineering. Alongside his Scottish culture, he always remained in touch with his Palestinian heritage. He shared: "My grandparents were 1948 Nakba survivors — they were forcibly displaced by the creation of Israel and settled in various Arab states. My mother came to Scotland in the 1980s to study, and that's how we ended up here. Most of my extended family are still in the Middle East. "It's been hard on my family — being far from home, especially in times of crisis. But the sense of community here has helped. And yes, the current situation has absolutely inspired me to enter politics. I want our voices to be heard." Al-khateb said in recent years, as Israel's genocide in Gaza has escalated, he and his family have felt Scotland's solidarity with the country grow from its already solid grassroots foundations. "Growing up was quite difficult — there wasn't a large Arab or Palestinian community around me at the time. A lot of my friends and peers were Scottish or European, and I didn't have a strong sense of cultural community around me. "But more recently, that's changed. Despite what's going on globally, we now have a stronger Arab and Palestinian presence here in Scotland, and that support makes a big difference. There's a sense of solidarity and connection that wasn't there before." READ MORE: Scottish Enterprise to keep funding Israel-linked arms firms, Kate Forbes says The engineer is currently campaigning for his fellow members to back him as their candidate in the region, adding: "I'm a qualified energy and environmental engineer, community leader, and have strong networks across public, private, and third sectors. I bring skills, credibility, and lived experience." He also believes he can help the Greens grow their vote by using his strong ties with Muslim, Arab, Asian, and African communities in the Lothian region. "These are communities who might vote Green for the first time if they see someone they trust and identify with." The Greens are currently undertaking a two-week internal selection period. By mid-July, the party will have selected candidates.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Consultation on scrapped national park in Galloway cost £160,000
A government body spent more than £160,000 on a consultation process which ultimately ended in plans for a new national park in Galloway being sum spent by NatureScot was revealed through a freedom of information (FOI) request by the BBC - and is only a fraction of the overall spend on the park said the total spent on the consultation had not been finalised, and final invoices would see the total rise "very slightly".The consultation was held between November and February and its findings were used to help deliver a final decision on whether or not a new national park should be created. The Scottish government said it was "absolutely correct" to support the nomination process. Plans for a new national park - to join the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs - were part of a power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish that agreement collapsed last year, the process Scottish government revealed in May last year that it had spent more than £300,000 in the earlier stages of the search for a national spent a further £28,000 after Galloway was announced as the preferred potential location for a new national park in July it stressed that civil servants worked "flexibly" across a range of matters making it impossible to specify exact costs in terms of their time. The final stage of the process was the extended consultation - both in person and online - across 14 weeks which was carried out by is a full breakdown of how much this cost:Licence for online engagement platform - £23,220Leaflets (printing and posting) - £20,438Gaelic translation - £215.55Event and other materials - £908.39Consultation events (hall bookings etc) - £5,695.96Facilitation consultants - £62,244.92Analysis consultants - £21,808.80Independent review of consultation - £9,900Board costs and subsistence - £7,982.35Staff costs and subsistence - £11,082.58Total spend (at 20 June 2025) - £163,496.55NatureScot said there were still some outstanding costs which would see the figure rise said it intended to put the final cost on its website by early July. The consultation ultimately led to a recommendation not to take forward the plan for a new national park, which proved a contentious in the concluded - in its role as reporter - that from the views expressed the proposal had "not garnered sufficient support locally to proceed".Instead, it recommended the strengthening of the likes of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, Galloway Forest Park and national scenic described the consultation as the "largest and most challenging" it had ever Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said the Scottish government had weighed up the arguments for and against and agreed not to welcomed the decision, saying the area did not need another "layer of bureaucracy".Campaigners in favour, however, said it was a "huge missed opportunity" and a "big loss" for the region. 'Absolutely correct' The Scottish government said the Galloway nomination had met all the selection criteria to be confirmed as the proposed location for the country's third national said the designation process required a "thorough consultation process" which had been independently reviewed by the Scottish Community Development Centre which found it achieved "very impressive levels of public involvement".A spokesperson said: "The consultation collected more than 5,000 surveys and more than 1,000 people attended events to share their opinion."Based on this engagement and the reporter's recommendations we took the decision not to designate Galloway and Ayrshire as a national park."But it was absolutely correct to support the nomination process, thoroughly consider the application and meet the statutory consultation requirements that such a process demands."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Now controversial transgender ex-Rape Crisis boss launches bid to become an MSP
The mother of an abused teenager who was told to accept rape crisis boss Mridul Wadhwa as a woman said it was 'no surprise' to her that the shamed CEO was bidding to be an MSP. Ms Wadhwa, who was born a man, resigned as chief executive of the controversial Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) last year but now wants to stand as a Scottish Greens candidate for Holyrood. The ERCC was found to have 'damaged' victims of sexual violence in a damning report by hindering their access to biologically female counsellors. One mum, whose daughter was raped and had sought help from the centre when the trans woman was in charge, said: 'They tried to gaslight us into accepting that men like Mridul were female and should be able to counsel survivors while attempting to conceal their sex. 'My daughter, who was 14 at the time of the attack, was one of the females that self excluded from Rape Crisis. Maggie Chapman [Green MSP] was a board member when this man became CEO. 'It comes as no surprise that the Scottish Green party would try and inflict this man and their shared ideology on the wider Scottish public.' Ms Wadhwa is on the Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list for next May's Holyrood elections. Party members will begin to vote on candidates next week. The Greens have refused to say whether Ms Wadhwa has passed their vetting process. The investigation into the ERCC last year found that Ms Wadhwa 'failed to set professional standards of behaviour' and 'did not understand the limits on her role's authority'. In 2021, Ms Wadhwa caused outrage by claiming some rape victims were 'bigoted people' who needed to be re-educated if they didn't agree trans women are female. Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Tess White said: 'It speaks volumes about the extremist Greens that they believe this individual is even remotely suitable to be an MSP. 'Following the shocking findings of the independent review, Mridul Wadhwa had to resign in disgrace as CEO. After gaslighting survivors of sexual abuse by telling them to 'reframe their trauma' and vilifying gender-critical staff, it was clear Wadhwa shamefully prioritised the Greens' militant gender ideology over the needs of vulnerable women. 'The Greens must explain why they find it acceptable to possibly select as a candidate someone whose words and actions have caused such huge distress.' The review into ERCC was ordered by umbrella body Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) in May 2024, after a scathing employment tribunal judgment ruled that staff member Roz Adams was subjected to a 'heresy hunt' for suggesting a rape victim should know the biological sex of her counsellor. RCS said the review had found a 'significant breach of its standards' at ERCC under Ms Wadhwa's leadership. The rape crisis centre boss, a high-profile trans ally of ex-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said any staff member who did not think all trans women were women should be fired. According to the employment tribunal, Ms Madhwa was on a mission to 'cleanse the organisation of those who did not follow her beliefs'. A Scottish Greens spokesman said: 'We have robust guidance and internal processes to oversee internal elections.'
