Former SNP and Labour councillors join Greens
Two left-wing independent councillors have today joined the Scottish Greens just days after the party hit its highest ever membership.
Buckie councillor John Stuart and Sighthill/Gorgie councillor Ross McKenzie have been approved by the party's National Council to join the party and work with existing Green councillors in Moray and Edinburgh.
John was elected as an SNP councillor on Moray Council in Buckie, but left the SNP in 2024 over concerns about the party's shift to the right on LGBTQ+ rights. Since then, he has served as an independent councillor, campaigning to improve his local community and fighting for inclusion, diversity and equality for all.
Ross was a Labour councillor for Sighthill/Gorgie ward in Edinburgh who left Labour on after they formed an administration with support from the Tories and Lib Dems.
Since then, Ross has sat as an independent, working with the Green group of councillors to push for eco-socialist change in the capital.
Cllr John Stuart said:
“I am delighted to be joining Scotland’s largest progressive party at a time when the mainstream parties have shifted further to the right-wing, and are prioritising the demands of the super-rich over the needs of our communities.
“Scotland’s marginalised communities have been abandoned by mainstream parties in a desperate attempt to win over the votes of the far-right, but the Scottish Greens have stood their ground, making it clear that our vision for Scotland is as an independent, inclusive and equal nation at the heart of the EU.”
Cllr Ross McKenzie said:
“Since leaving the Labour Party, I have worked closely with my Scottish Green colleagues in Edinburgh to make a fairer, greener city for all.
“In the face of a disastrous Labour administration propped up by the Tories and Lib Dems, we need a strong left-wing alternative in our capital city, putting people and planet before profit.
“I’ve heard time and again from my constituents concerns about housing, social care, planning and public spaces, and I'm in no doubt that the most effective way for me to represent those concerns is by working as closely as possible with the Greens.
“Labour have abandoned their core principles of standing up for the working-class across our country, they would rather hold onto power with the backing of Tories than improve our city for people and planet.”
Scottish Greens Co-Leader Gillian Mackay said:
“We’re delighted that Ross and John have joined the Scottish Greens. This is a movement dedicated to delivering eco-socialist change for people and planet across Scotland.
“From cutting household bills to taxing the super-rich and protecting our nature, I know that Ross and John will continue their fantastic work alongside our Green councillors in Moray and Edinburgh.
“With a Labour government looking more and more like the Conservatives every day and the SNP dropping progressive commitments all over the place, there has never been a more crucial moment for strong Scottish Green voices in town halls across our country.”
Elected representatives who join the Scottish Greens are required to sit as green-aligned independents until the next election; however, they can join the Green groups on councils.