Finnie questions government's commitment to public bid for Scotrail

Sat 25 Aug, 2018

A Green MSP is calling out what he sees as insufficient progress on the Scottish Government’s attempts to facilitate a public bid for ScotRail after ministers revealed the next franchise competition could effectively be delayed by three years.

John Finnie, the Scottish Greens’ transport spokesperson, received a letter from the transport secretary that revealed the government will now also “give equal treatment” to private sector bidders.

Mr Finnie, the Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said:

Serco Charging Premium Rate for RET Rebate

Sat 25 Aug, 2018

Serco, the multinational company currently charged with operating the Northern Isles Ferry Services franchise, has been accused of acting in bad faith after charging customers premium rates to claim a rebate following the introduction of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET).

Mass culling of mountain hares must stop, says Finnie

Sat 25 Aug, 2018

Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie has called on the Scottish Government to urgently introduce a moratorium on the culling of mountain hares in the Highlands as new figures reveal the number of mountain hares in the eastern Highlands has dropped by more than 99 per cent since 1954.

Mr Finnie said:

    “Scottish Ministers have repeatedly stated that they do not support mass culling of mountain hares, yet it is happening all the same.

Greens call for north rail improvements

Sat 25 Aug, 2018

The Scottish Green Party is calling on the Scottish Government to deliver on its promises by urgently investing in improvements to rail services in the north.

Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie, and Strathspey and Badenoch Councillor Pippa Hadley, have made the call in the wake of Transform Scotland highlighting the Scottish Government’s failure to meet journey time improvement commitments it made ten years ago.

Mr Finnie said:

Highlands and Islands Greens to focus on Local Issues, not contest General Election

Tue 9 May, 2017

Highlands and Islands Greens have today (8th May) confirmed they will not be contesting the forthcoming General Election. This means there will be no Scottish Green candidate on the ballot paper in any of the six constituencies* the branch covers on the 8th June.

Instead the party will be focussing on supporting their newly elected Councillors, and getting down to making a difference locally.

Highland and Islands Greens Convenor James MacKessack-Leitch said:

Large Windfarm Proposals Fail Orkney Greens' Tests

Mon 20 Mar, 2017

As part of their election campaign, Orkney Greens have pledged not to support two major windfarm development proposals planned by Hoolan Energy in the county. Current turbine proposals at Costa Head in Birsay, and Hesta Head in South Ronaldsay each comprise 5 turbines at 125 metres high totalling 20MW generation capacity.

Greens Confirm Lead Local Candidate For Moray

Wed 15 Feb, 2017

Moray Greens are pleased to announce the selection of their leading candidate for Moray Council in the forthcoming local elections.

The Heldon and Laich Ward will be contested by local Greens Convenor, James MacKessack-Leitch.

He says:

“Whatever happens in this election, with so many members retiring or moving on, there will be sweeping changes coming to Moray Council, and my aim is to push for a transformation in thinking about how the Council goes about its daily business, with a particular focus on planning for the long term future.”

Greens Confirm Lead Local Candidates For Highland

Wed 15 Feb, 2017

First published in January 2017:

Highland Greens are pleased to announce the selection of two of their leading candidates for the Highland Council in the forthcoming local elections.