Welcome To The Scottish Green Party
We are delighted that you are thinking about joining us or getting more involved as a party member! We are so excited for all that you have to bring.
About Us
Our Vision
We believe in an equitable and sustainable world that has space for everyone. Our vision is for an independent and international Scotland that looks outwards to be a world leader in equity and sustainability.
The core of our vision is the Scottish Green New Deal.
Much Like Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, a Green New Deal (and a Scottish Green New Deal) would revolutionise the economy, agriculture, industry, and education. We believe in achieving this through a just transition that protects workers and the small businesses that our communities cherish.
The principles of a Scottish Green New Deal are:
Rebuilding the public sector – Across Europe, the public sector is playing a direct role in moving towards a zero-carbon economy. Public bodies are investing, building and developing green infrastructure and technology. Scotland needs to reverse the damage of Thatcher and subsequent Labour and Tory Governments and re-build a public sector that is fully aligned behind the move to a zero-carbon economy.
Providing long-term certainty for the private sector – We need to work in tandem with a thriving, innovative and responsible private sector, but to do this the Scottish Government must do everything it can to provide long-term certainty to allow investment to flow.
Channeling public and private investment to low carbon industries – From redirecting public expenditure to leveraging more private investment and building a strong public investment bank similar to those seen across the EU we can fund a low carbon revolution.
Implementing regional industrial strategies and targeted support for those communities who most need it – every region across Scotland faces different challenges and opportunities if the transition to a low carbon economy is to be successful and just. A Scottish Green New Deal should be built on regional industrial strategies that are owned and developed by Unions, employers, local communities and Local Government, with support from publicly-owned regional banks and delivery agencies.
We believe in an independent Scotland as part of the EU.
As Scottish Greens, we don't believe in Independence for Independence's sake. We believe that Independence would give us the freedom to create a better, more equal, Scotland for everyone. With full control over our own country, we could achieve nuclear disarmament, invest in renewable energies, support our Arts and Sciences, and ensure full equality for everyone who calls Scotland their home.
We are committed to the rights and dignity of all people.
We support the rights of refugees and asylum seekers to security in their status as New Scots, the rights of trans people to live peacefully without fear of discrimination, the rights of People of Colour to not fear violence, bodily autonomy for everyone, including disabled and intersex people, and the rights of women to take part in society without harassment.
Our Elected Representatives
We currently have seven incredible MSPs.
Ariane Burgess, MSP for Highlands and Islands, is our Scottish Green Party (SGP) spokesperson for Communities, Land Reform, and Housing and Rural Affairs. She sits on two committees: Local Government, Housing and Planning; and Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment.
Gillian MacKay is our MSP for Central Scotland. She sits on the Health, Social Care, and Sport Committee, and is the SGP spokesperson for Health and Social Care.
Our co-leader Lorna Slater is our MSP for Lothian and our SGP spokesperson for Economic Recovery and Green Industrial Strategy. She sits on the Economy and Fair Work Committee.
Maggie Chapman is our MSP for North East Scotland. She sits on the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, and is our SGP spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Human Rights.
Mark Ruskell is our MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, and SGP spokesperson for Environment, Climate and Transport. He sits on the Net Zero Energy and Transport Committee.
Our other co-leader Patrick Harvie is our SGP spokesperson for Finance and Constitution. He is our MSP for Glasgow and sits on two committees: Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture; and Finance and Public Administration.
Ross Greer is our MSP for West Scotland. He sits on the Education, Children and Young People Committee, and is our SGP spokesperson for Education, Culture and External Affairs.
We have Elected Members in six councils across Scotland (Aberdeenshire, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow City, Highlands, Orkney Islands, and Stirling).
Help us to get more Scottish Greens elected in the 2022 Local Authority elections!
Our Policies
The Scottish Greens are a grassroots party, our members decide our policies, not our politicians.
Our policies are made at our annual conferences. The autumn conference is the primary decision-making event, but motions are often also voted on at the spring conference. The party members who are present at these events make up Conference, and Conference is the supreme decision-making body of the Scottish Green Party. In advance of a conference, any member can propose a motion to be voted on at the event. If 2/3 or more of Conference (those present at the conferene) vote to pass a motion, it becomes party policy.
Our Policy Reference Document ("the PRD") sets out our values and should be used to inform any motion proposed by a member to Conference. This helps ensure that all motions voted on would be constitutional.
For example, [LIST DETAILS OF ONE MOTION THAT BECAME POLICY]
N.B. Here we have used "Conference" to mean the decision-making body and "conference" to mean the event at which voting happens. Within the party, both are usually called "Conference" and context makes clear if it is the event or the voting-body that is meant. If you're ever confused, just ask! Anyone will be happy to help you understand what is being spoken about.
Our constitution and party policies inform our manifestos and the Code of Conduct required of our elected officials.
View our 2021 Holyrood Manifesto here [INSERT LINK].
View our party Constitution here [INSERT LINK]
Party Structure
INSERT DESCRIPTION MAKING SENSE OF THE PARTY STRUCTURE - eg committees, networks, branches, etc.etc. and how they work together to create the entity that is *the SGP*
Our Committees
We have nine national committees made up of volunteers elected by the party members.
The Conducts and Complaints Committee (CCC) is responsible for handling formal complaints against the conduct of Party members. They mediate and settle internal conflicts and ensure that the Code of Conduct is being adhered to by all members. CCC works under the auspice of the SOC and their job is to ensure that our ethos of equality and fairness is felt by all Party members.
Council is where all the different sections of the Party come together to plan strategy and take administrative and political decisions. They are responsible for Party strategy, Party policy, furthering of internal communications and setting of priorities for the Scottish Green Party between conferences. They are the governing body of the SGP between General Meetings (AGMs and EGMs, which are held at conferences.)
The Elections and Campaigns Committee (ECC) is responsible for the development of the party’s electoral strategy, and for co-ordinating and running election and other campaigns to support the electoral and political aims of the Scottish Greens. ECC also seeks out and supports SGP candidates, especially those from under-represented groups.
The Executive is the chief administrative and supervisory body of the Party. Its decisions bind all subordinate Party bodies and members, unless overruled by Council. They are responsible for the operational running of the Party, financial oversight & management, ensuring legal compliance, and the management and support of the Party's staff. The Executive has representatives from across the Party and coordinates the Party on a regular basis.
The Finance & Fundraising Commitee is responsible for all financial and fundraising matters of the Party. They work wth Party staff to produce an annual budget for review by Executive and approval by Council. to produce annual audited accounts for approval at AGM, and to ensure all financial processes and reporting are compliant and effective. They support the treasurer, the fundraising officer, and branch and group treasurers in managing their respective finances.
The International Committee is responsible for the Party's place in the international Green movement. They represent us within the European Green Party (EGP) by providing delegates to the EGP Council that vote in line with SGP policies, and they maintain the bridge between the SGP and the Global Greens by representing us to the Global Greens and keeping us up-to-date on the work of the Global Greens.
The Membership Committee is responsible for developing strategy relating to increasing and maintaining Party membership. They work on membership engagement, and strategies on tackling racism and other issues that would negatively affect our members. Membership committee ensures that membership details are up-to-date, and supports local branches, for example by providing them with membership statistics.
The role of the Policy Committee is the "facilitation of democratic decision making". This means that they are responsible for ensuring that members are involved at all stages of policy-making and to support members in engaging in policy matters outwith just voting at conferences.
The Standing Orders Committee (SOC) is responsible for maintaining and interpreting SGP rules and procedures. They oversee all of the motions brought to conference and ensure that they are properly reflected in the party's Constitution and Standing Orders. They are also responsible for internal elections, conferences, and the Conducts and Complaints Committee.
How We Communicate
We use the messaging platform Slack to communicate online. You can download slack for free on Android, iPhone, and Windows Desktop.
To get a link to the main Party Slack channel, go to members.greens.scot/slack. Some of our networks and branches also have their own Slack channels. You will need to be invited to these by a moderator, and there is a full list of who to get in touch with for each channel on this page as well.
We use a number of different platforms for our online meetings.
We try to make our online meetings accessible by offering captioning and asking everyone to set their name and pronouns in their display name. If you require a BSL interpreter or if you require captioning, please contact the branch or committee running the meeting to let them know that these are required.
The platforms we use are:
Google Meet
Download on Apple and Android, or just follow a meeting link to join on desktop.
GoToMeeting
Download on Apple and Android/Windows.
Jitsi
Download on Apple and Android/Windows, or follow a meeting link to join on desktop.
Skype
Download on Apple, Android, Windows
Zoom
Download on Apple, Android, Windows
Find Your Branch
Our local branches cover all of Scotland. They work on local issues (including local authority elections) and give members a platform to work together and make a real impact in the area they live. Our branches are broadly organised by local authority, but some local authorities have several branches, and some branches cover two local authorities.
Use the tool on our website to find your local branch by your postcode.
Email them at:
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire - [email protected]
Argyll & Bute - [email protected]
Ayrshire - [email protected]
Dumfries & Galloway - [email protected]
Dunbartonshire - [email protected]
Dundee & Angus - [email protected]
East Lothian - [email protected]
East Renfrewshire - [email protected]
Edinburgh - [email protected]
Falkirk - [email protected]
Fife - [email protected]
Glasgow - [email protected]
Highlands & Islands - [email protected]
Midlothian - [email protected]
Moray - [email protected]
North Lanarkshire - [email protected]
Perth - [email protected]
Renfrewshire and Inverclyde - renfrewshire&[email protected]
Scottish Borders - [email protected]
South Lanarkshire - [email protected]
Stirling & Clackmannanshire - [email protected]
Find your branch's Slack at members.greens.scot/slack
Networks
We have five Scotland-wide networks that represent marginalised communities within our party. These groups give our members who have marginalised identities a peer-led safe space within the Scottish Green Party, and they are our experts on issues affecting their communities.
The Disabled Greens is our network of and for members who consider themselves to have a disability (including long-term illness such as mental health conditions and HIV). Follow them on Twitter and join their channel the on SGP Slack.
The Greens of Colour are a network of our BAME/POC members.
Follow them on [Instagram]() and [Twitter]() and join them on Slack.
The Rainbow Greens is the LGBTQ+ network within the SGP. As well as representing our LGBTQ+ members, they bring community space for LGBTQ+ members to discuss party issues, and to connect with each other and make friends. You can follow them on Twitter and email [email protected] with proof of membership to join their Slack.
The Women's Network is our women's organisation. They are open to everyone who considers themself to be a woman (including cis, trans, intersex, and non-binary women). Follow them on Twitter and join them on Slack by emailing [email protected] with proof of membership.
The Scottish Young Greens are the independent youth wing of the Scottish Green Party. They pride themselves on being an intersectional and international organisation with firmly anti-capitalist and radical stances. They work to empower young people both within and outwith the SGP. They have their own membership rules which you can find out more about on their website. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter and email [email protected] to join their Slack.
Our Campaigns
To see the full list about our current campaigns, check out the Campaigns tab at greens.scot.
Some campaigns we are currently running are:
Build Back Better for Hospitality Workers
This campaign aims to improve job-security for workers in the hospitality industry post- and during COVID-19.
Homes First
The purpose of this campaign is to challenge the unsustainable short-term lets sector and to protect residential housing as homes.
Independence (#GreenYes)
We support the vision of a fairer, greener, independent Scotland and want to get as many people on board as possible before a (hopeful!) future referendum.
No Fossil Fuel Corporate Takeover of COP26
We are calling for the Scottish Government to adopt a policy of not publicising - or accepting sponsorship from - fossil fuel corporations during and in the run up to the COP26 climate summit in November 2021. The Scottish Green Party believes that these companies should have no place in climate campaigns.
No More Private Profit From Asylum Seeker Housing (#WelcomeHome)
This campaign calls for Asylum Seeker housing to be controlled by local authorities and third sector organisations, rather than by for-profit companies.
No Tory Veto
This campaign challenges Westminster attempts to limit Holyrood's powers under the guise of "the UK internal market".
Protect The Galloway Glens
The Scottish Green Party are calling on The Scottish Government and the Scottish Power Energy Networs to build a new reinforced powerline in Galloway underground, not overground as the current proposals have planned. The proposed plans would involve felling hundreds of hectares of trees, the mining of seven new quarries, and serious changes to the local landscape. We don't believe that the current plans are in line with sustainability or with supporting local communities.
Stop Exxon Destroying Lives in Fife
This campaign calls for an independent inquiry into the future
of Mossmorran (the Exxonmobil petrochemicals plant in Fife).
To support our campaigns financially, you can donate to the Scottish Green Party at members.greens.scot/donate