SCOTTISH GREENS WELCOME LATEST HOLYROOD POLL
Scottish Greens are welcoming the latest Holyrood poll suggesting the party is on course to secure a bigger group of MSPs in the 2016 election.
The TNS survey has the Scottish Greens on 10 per cent on the regional vote, equating to around 10 MSPs.
Polling for next year's Holyrood election has consistently put the Greens on between 8 and 13 per cent on the regional vote.
The party, whose membership now numbers 9,000, has already selected its lead candidates for the 8 regions, including John Finnie MSP in Highlands and Islands, Councillor Maggie Chapman in North-east and Councillor Mark Ruskell in Mid-Scotland and Fife. The Glasgow branch of the party has also agreed that party co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP will contest the Kelvin constituency in addition to being lead candidate for Glasgow region.
Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian is lead candidate for the region in 2016, with renowned land reform and local democracy writer Andy Wightman next on the list.
Alison said:
"Everyone takes polling with an added pinch of salt these days but we do believe we're in a strong position to turn these consistent numbers into elected MSPs working hard for communities. We have excellent candidates in place and branches of activists out campaigning to deliver our best ever result at Holyrood.
"It is clear that the Scottish Parliament needs a main opposition party that is constructive yet challenging, and the Scottish Greens are ready for that role. Our track record in the parliament, on everything from fracking to fan ownership of football, along with our vision for a fairer and greener Scotland show we are vital to Scotland's politics."
Scottish Greens' regional candidates for 2016