Green MSPs are making Scotland the best country for children to grow up in

Alison Johnstone MSP Fri 8 Mar, 2019

The Scottish Greens have gender balanced leadership roles throughout the party, and last weekend our Council agreed to adopt a Co-leadership model in the parliamentary Green group. I’m delighted that I will now be sharing this new role with Patrick Harvie, and this week, on the day we debate International Women’s Day, was my first opportunity to lead for the party at FMQs.

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Scottish Government Cycle 'Vision' Not On Track To Meet Community Needs

Alison Johnstone MSP Tue 5 Mar, 2019

When I led the Scottish Parliament’s first ever debate on cycling in 2012, I began by suggesting it is often the case that public attitudes are ahead of the policy-makers responsible for representing them.

Back then, in parts of Edinburgh, up to 20% of vehicles on the roads were bikes, but the picture nationally was mixed, with journeys by bike at a lowly 1%.

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Scotland needs 20mph vision for safer streets

Mark Ruskell MSP Fri 1 Mar, 2019

It was over three decades ago that a child in my class at school was struck down and killed while out playing on his bike. His death sent out a shock wave throughout the whole school community and although I didn’t know him that well, his death still preys on my mind today, especially when I see my own kids enjoying playing out.

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Impact of MPs going independent goes well beyond simple tally of numbers

Patrick Harvie MSP Fri 22 Feb, 2019

Writing about the turbulent UK political landscape is tricky these days, given that almost anything could be out of date in a matter of hours. How many MPs will be sitting with the new Independent Group by the time this column goes to print?

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Park The Hysteria

John Finnie MSP Sat 16 Feb, 2019

Last month the Scottish Parliament voted for the £42.5billion Scottish Budget thanks to a deal between the Scottish Greens and the SNP. In previous years Greens have focused on securing funding for vital local services and this year we went much further.

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Scotland can chart a new course with social security powers

Alison Johnstone MSP Fri 15 Feb, 2019

One of my proudest moments as an MSP was playing a role in the establishment of the new Scottish social security system. Passed last year, the Social Security (Scotland) Act is a major step towards a fairer, more humane social security system than the UK system run by the UK Department for Work and Pensions whose punitive approach towards those who need help from the social security system has been well-documented.

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Youth Strike 4 Climate - An open letter

Ross Greer MSP Fri 15 Feb, 2019

An open letter from Ross Greer MSP to Scotland's school leaders.

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Railways should be run in the public interest

Patrick Harvie MSP Fri 8 Feb, 2019

“The government believes, fundamentally, we have got to have an efficient public rail network that meets the needs of individuals within Scotland, that acts in the public interest, that delivers the services that members of the public are looking for.” So said the Deputy First Minister in answer to my questions yesterday, while he was standing in for the First Minister at FMQs.

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Budget deal makes millions available to councils & paves way for bold reforms

Andy Wightman MSP Fri 1 Feb, 2019

Since being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016, I have sought to work constructively with all MSPs from all parties to effect legislative, budgetary and policy changes that will benefit Scotland and my constituents.

There is no more important annual event than the budget which provides the funds and raises the revenues needed to support the public services that everyone relies upon including education, healthcare, transport, housing and the environment.

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7 things the Green Budget Deal will deliver

Scottish Greens Thu 31 Jan, 2019

We’ve secured an agreement with the Scottish Government on the budget for 2019-20. This includes giving councils up to £282m more to spend on providing local services, meaning that over the last 3 years Scottish Greens have secured over £500m for local services. But this year, we’ve gone further and secured radical changes that would provide local government with greater flexibility, certainty and autonomy for the years ahead.

Here’s 7 things the Green budget deal will deliver:

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