Dumbarton man Patrick Harvie has confirmed that he will be standing down as Scottish Greens co-leader this summer, after serving for 17 years in the leadership team.
He became the first Greens politician to serve in the Scottish Government during a failed three-year stint where his environmental policies wreaked havoc for Scots.
He and Lorna Slater became Ministers under Nicola Sturgeon as part of the Bute House Agreement before being pushed out by Humza Yousaf. This sparked his downfall as the Greens were planning to vote against him in a crucial no confidence vote at Holyrood.
During his time in government he oversaw a rent freeze, which critics claim led to housing emergencies being declared in many councils due to a lack of properties and rent costs soaring.
He also led a heating in buildings bill which was torn up by the SNP last month amid concerns it would have penalised people for having gas boilers.
He took time off from the Scottish Parliament earlier this year when he underwent an operation and was seen at Holyrood using a walking stick. He has put himself forward to contest the 2026 Holyrood Election after sitting as an MSP since 2003.
A leadership contest will be held which will include any members of the Green party, even those who are not elected politicians. Ms Slater will need to fight to continue her role as co-leader.
“At the start of devolution, few people regarded the Greens as a serious political force. But as we have grown, learned and developed we have become the most significant, sustained new movement in Scottish politics for generations. Given the growing urgency of the climate emergency, that movement is greatly needed.”
He also made a swipe at the current SNP Government over its lack of climate change policies since he left the administration. He added: “Green solutions are more necessary than ever, and we have been the only party clearly making the case for the action needed to tackle growing inequality and the climate and nature emergency.
“Others are happy to set targets, but then actively resist the action needed to meet them.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped the party to grow, and given me the opportunity to play a role. There is far more work ahead of us, especially as we see both UK and Scottish Governments drag their feet on climate action, and too often continue the policies which have made our society less equal.
There has never any Green representation in West Dunbartonshire at any level of government although it has been suggested that List MSP Ross Greer, who has been so involved in the campaign to stop Flamingo Land moving into Balloch, has been mentioned from time as a possible candidate to stand against Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, at the Holyrood elections next year.
Top of page: Patrick Harvie’s mother Rose was a leading campaigner in the well supported and successful bid to save POsties Park in Dumbarton, which has been now been converted to an athletics track. Picture by Bill Heaney
There’s many a one that might e saying that it would be better if he stood down as an MSP too.
Patrick may say its been humbling to have had the support of Part members but casting the net a bit wider I think there will be many more saying that he and is parties policies that have been humbling with all the failed schemes and chaos.
As to the running track and sports facility built on Posties Park can anyone explain why it seven years late, still not open, and has run millions over budget.