Patrick Harvie MSP

Glasgow

Finance, Economy, Fair Work, Equalities

Patrick is Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party and has been an MSP since 2003. He is a member of Holyrood's Finance and Standards committees.

In previous sessions of Parliament he served on the Economy, Communities and Transport committees. He has been involved in a range of issues, from asylum and civil liberties to sexual health and food policy, and was a prominent campaigner for Yes during the independence referendum.

In the last session of Parliament he led the Better Buses public transport campaign, the Rent Rights housing campaign (resulting in rent controls being included in legislation) and he took forward Margo MacDonald’s Assisted Suicide Bill. He lives in Glasgow and is a big fan of craft ale.

Scottish Greens: Glasgow Subway must be saved

Wed 30 Sep, 2020

The Scottish Greens have launched a campaign to save the Glasgow Subway in light of emergency funding for SPT coming to an end today (Wednesday 30 September).

The vital service has also received no funding to cover its £4.5m losses between April and June, and with no guarantee of further funding, the public operator has said it will have no choice but to make cuts to transport services across the region.

Commenting, Scottish Greens co-leader and Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie said:

Greens welcome STUC report on green recovery

Tue 29 Sep, 2020

The Scottish Greens have warmly welcomed a new report from the Scottish Trades Union Congress which shows public ownership is central to a green recovery which will create thousands of unionised jobs.

Published today, ‘The People’s Recovery: A New Track for the Scottish Economy’ makes a progressive alternative to recovery plans from the Scottish and UK Governments which remain focused on GDP growth above jobs and tackling the climate emergency.

UK Government treating Holyrood with contempt

Tue 29 Sep, 2020

Scottish Greens have accused the UK Government of treating the devolved parliaments with contempt, ahead of Michael Gove’s appearance at Holyrood's Finance and Constitution Committee today.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will appear online to give evidence on the UK Internal Market Bill, because the minister in charge of the bill, Alok Sharma, repeatedly refused to engage with the Committee.

Mixed messages unfair for students

Fri 25 Sep, 2020

Scottish Greens have called for clarity around guidance for students, after the Universities Minister gave mixed messages in a Good Morning Scotland interview.

On radio, Richard Lochhead said he expected universities to be pragmatic when students are not coping and need to go home, but also reminded listeners that students could not mix with other households, even if that is the parental home they have just left.

FMQs: Students halls perfect environment for virus to spread

Thu 24 Sep, 2020

Packing students into university halls in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic was akin to the situation with cruise ships at the beginning of the pandemic, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP has said.

Speaking at First Minister’s questions this afternoon Mr Harvie noted that bringing people together from far and wide into densely populated accommodation has created the perfect conditions for the spread of the virus.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Scottish Greens: Wages top-up no replacement to furlough

Thu 24 Sep, 2020

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that instead of extendin gthe furlough scheme, employees will have to be working for at least a third of their normal hours to qualify for a new jobs support scheme which will see the government pay the rest of their wages.

University testing sites vital say Greens

Wed 23 Sep, 2020

The Scottish Greens have renewed calls on the Scottish Government to accelerate the roll out of walk-through testing centres in university towns and cities after a spate of coronavirus cases were reported, including once instance in which 500 students were told to self-isolate in Dundee.

Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP had repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to open these sites before universities terms started, but so far only sites at St Andrews and Glasgow Caledonian universities have opened.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Scottish Greens respond to coronavirus briefing

Mon 21 Sep, 2020

Responding to the First Minister’s coronavirus briefing this afternoon, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“The Scottish Greens have supported a precautionary approach to dealing with the pandemic throughout and we will continue to do so. It’s clear that we have now entered a second wave and it’s vital that both governments provide clear support and advice to the public.

Uni testing centres needed urgently say Greens

Wed 16 Sep, 2020

Responding to the First Minister’s announcement that a single walk-through testing centre is to open in Glasgow on Saturday, and that it will be weeks before similar facilities open in Scotland’s other university towns and cities, Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“We saw the testing system break down when children returned to school last month, resulting in families being sent across the country in search of a test. It would be unacceptable if a similar situation occurred again as the university term begins.

UK Government no show is an insult to democracy

Wed 16 Sep, 2020

UK Business secretary Alok Sharma has refused to give evidence on his own UK Internal Market Bill at the Scottish Parliament.

If passed, the bill will give the UK Government a veto over any devolved decision which it decides threatens commercial interests.

Commenting on the news, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said:

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