Scottish Greens

Allot Going On In Linlithgow

comms Tue 1 Oct, 2013

As an MSP for Lothian, a region that stretches from Soutra Hill in the east to Harthill Services in the west, it’s good to get beyond the Edinburgh city bypass and meet constituents and discuss the challenges and opportunities they encounter in their neighbourhoods.

IPCC REPORT SHOWS RADICAL POLICY SHIFT NEEDED

Fri 27 Sep, 2013

Responding to publication of the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Scottish Greens are warning that the Scottish Government needs to consider radical policy shifts.

FIRE CONTROL CONSULTATION MUST BE MEANINGFUL

Thu 26 Sep, 2013

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian, is seeking assurances that the decision of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board to consult on proposals to close control rooms including Edinburgh will be meaningful.

Alison said:

“I had called on members of the fire board to defer a decision and I'm glad they have agreed these closure plans should not be sneaked through. This issue creates uncertainty for staff in Edinburgh and will rightly concern my constituents about the quality of service they might receive if 999 calls aren't handled by operators with local knowledge.

We could begin to decentralise economic power in Scotland

comms Thu 26 Sep, 2013

It’s said that nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. If we want to provide good quality public services for all people, from the cradle to the grave as the founders of the NHS and the welfare state intended, we need a culture which accepts that paying our taxes is a moral responsibility. When wealthy businesses – whose profits depend on the rule of law, on public infrastructure and on a healthy and educated population – hoard their wealth in tax havens, they undermine our whole society.

EDINBURGH FIRE CONTROL DECISION MUST BE DEFERRED

Wed 25 Sep, 2013

Ahead of tomorrow's Scottish Fire and Rescue Service board meeting, Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian, is expressing concerns about proposals to close the Edinburgh control room.

Alison said:

MCCOURT APPEAL: GREEN MSP CALLS FOR SENTENCING REVIEW

Wed 25 Sep, 2013

Responding to today's Court of Appeal verdict on the Gary McCourt case, the Greens want to see how the sentencing guidelines might be changed to reflect the widespread anger at the leniency of his sentence.

Alison Johnstone, Lothian's Green MSP said:

FIGURES SHOW NEED FOR STEP CHANGE IN HEALTH FUNDING

Tue 24 Sep, 2013

Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and food spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, is highlighting worrying figures in the Scottish Health Survey released today (24 Sep).

The proportion of women describing their health as good or very good has fallen by four per cent in three years.

Only one in seven children eats the recommended 5 or more portions of fruit and vegetables a day, with boys' consumption falling to just 2.4 portions a day.

GREENS SELECT ZARA KITSON FOR DUNFERMLINE BY-ELECTION

Fri 20 Sep, 2013

The Fife branch of the Scottish Green Party has selected Zara Kitson to be the party's candidate for the forthcoming Dunfermline by-election.

Zara, 27, is an organiser of So Say Scotland, a citizens' assembly inspired by constitutional innovation in Iceland, has an MA in Public Policy from Glasgow University, and is starting her own business, Dream Graft, to support other companies and communities going through change.

WALKER CASE RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS

Fri 20 Sep, 2013

Commenting on Bill Walker's 12 month sentence - the maximum the sheriff could impose - Green MSP Patrick Harvie says the case raises serious questions.

Mr Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said:

"The fact that the maximum sentence Walker was liable for was twelve months raises questions about summary treatment of serious cases. We need answers from the Procurator Fiscal service about this as hearing cases at summary level risks leaving many women unprotected from further violence.

ECONOMY NEEDS RENEWAL NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL

Thu 19 Sep, 2013

In today's Scottish Parliament debate on the economy, Green MSP for Lothian Alison Johnstone called on government to swap austerity for equality and do more to champion small businesses.

Ms Johnstone, a member of Holyrood's economy committee, pointed to recent evidence that the majority of jobs are created by small firms, and these firms' have provided a stable business base compared to big chains and corporations.

Alison said: