The Scottish Greens can replace Labour in 2026
With growing momentum, record polling and fresh leadership, the Scottish Greens can beat Labour in 2026, says the party’s co-leader Ross Greer.
Speaking ahead of his party’s Autumn Conference, Ross has published an open letter to Labour voters, urging them to reconsider their support for a party that promised change but instead plunged pensioners and disabled people into poverty while arming Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Ross said:
“Keir Starmer’s government is collapsing and his response is to mimic the increasingly extreme Nigel Farage. He’s taken millions of people’s votes for granted and failed to deliver on the promises he made.
“By comparison, the Scottish Greens are seeing record polling, bringing us closer than ever to overtaking Labour.
"The reason for that is simple, Green MSPs have delivered where Labour has not. We made bus travel free for all young people, scrapped peak rail fares, expanded free school meals and we have just passed a bill in Parliament to reintroduce rent controls. That’s the kind of real change people need to see in their lives.
“At Westminster we have a Labour government in name only. Starmer punished pensioners and disabled people with cuts while his wealthy friends and donors have been raking it in. He has armed Israel’s genocide against Palestinians and cosied up to Donald Trump only for the UK to be humiliated over and over again.
“The Scottish Greens are laying down a marker today. We believe we can rewrite Scottish politics by coming ahead of Labour next year.
“Anas Sarwar won’t stand up to Keir Starmer, he’s backed every single one of his boss’s disastrous decisions.
Scotland deserves better, and it is the Scottish Greens who are offering it. We are at Labour’s heels across the country, because we are actually offering people hope. We know this country can be fairer and greener, and we know how to make that a reality.”
Text of open letter by Ross Greer
Dear neighbours,
It’s time to bring hope back to Scotland.
Last year you voted Labour to rid us of the cruelty, scandal and harm of the last Tory government. You rightly voted for change, but Keir Starmer has no intention of delivering that.
This is a Labour government in name only.
With a growing and revitalised Scottish Green Party, we can replace Labour in Scotland and deliver the real change you, your family and your community really need.
The first thing Keir Starmer did was plunge pensioners into poverty by cutting winter fuel payments. Then his government doubled down by attacking disabled people.
Labour betrayed the workers at Grangemouth while protecting the billionaires and tax avoiders who’ve rigged the system in their own favour.
They armed Israel’s genocide against Palestinians, cut lifesaving international aid and stuck with a disastrous Tory Brexit that has cost jobs and hiked up prices.
This isn’t what we waited 14 years for. They do not deserve your support, or your vote.
There is an alternative. The Scottish Greens are on your side.
We have shown what we can do by delivering free bus travel for young people, scrapping peak rail fares, cancelling school meal debts and introducing rent controls - all paid for by asking the wealthiest people to pay their fair share.
We will stand up to the super-rich and big polluters who have bought the Labour party. With your support, we can beat them and build the fairer, greener Scotland you deserve.
Ross Greer
Co-leader, Scottish Greens