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.

Nicola Sturgeon urged to intervene over airport use by US Military

Sun 23 Feb, 2020

Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to intervene over concerns US officials have blocked Police Scotland investigations into the use of Scottish Airports by the US Military.

Since 2013, Police Scotland have been investigating the use of Scottish Airports during America’s so-called ‘War on Terror’ but have failed to obtain details of a unredacted US Senate report.

COP appointment threatens climate action

Thu 13 Feb, 2020

The appointment of the new Business Secretary Alok Sharma as the Minister responsible for COP26 threatens to derail hopes of meaningful climate action, according to Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

COP26 must come to Glasgow

Wed 12 Feb, 2020

Relocating COP26 to London would be a further blow for the UK Government’s credibility, Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie has said.

Following reports that the UK Government has approached the ExCeL London venue about hosting the COP26 climate change summit instead of Glasgow, Patrick Harvie said:

Research exposes draft budget climate credentials as spin

Tue 11 Feb, 2020

The SNP’s ‘climate emergency’ budget is carbon-intensive and ignores expert advice on Transport policy, independent analysis from parliamentary researchers has shown.

In its budget analysis, Scottish Parliament information centre (SPICE) figures show that ministers have ignored the recent Infrastructure Commission, which advised them to shift spending away from new roads and into measures to encourage fewer private car journeys.

The Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity budget is 7% of the total spend, but will account for 11% of Scotland’s emissions.

Timid budget fails to tackle climate emergency

Thu 6 Feb, 2020

The Scottish Government’s budget, as published this afternoon, fails to adequately respond to the climate emergency, according to Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP.

Scottish Greens have made a number of constructive proposals, which would protect local services and begin to tackle the climate crisis, unfortunately the Scottish Government have so far failed to engage in constructive negotiations to deliver the transformative change required.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Greens launch independence campaign on Brexit day

Sat 1 Feb, 2020

The Scottish Greens launched their campaign for Scottish independence on the day the UK leaves the European Union.

The party held a Green Yes rally in Glasgow to mark Brexit day to launch the campaign for Scotland to re-join the EU as an independent nation.

Among speakers were Ska Keller MEP, co-president of the Green/EFA group in the European Parliament.

FMQs: Greens call for free bus travel for young people

Thu 30 Jan, 2020

Making bus travel free for young people would bring social and economic benefits to communities across Scotland, according to Scottish Greens co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP.

A week from now the Scottish Government will publish its budget and the Scottish Greens have put improving public transport to tackle the climate emergency at the heart of their proposals.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

Urgency required on Infrastructure Commission for Scotland recommendations

Mon 20 Jan, 2020

The Scottish Government must act with urgency on the recommendations of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland, the Scottish Greens have said.

Commenting on the report, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “The commission seems to be willing to challenge the big differences between the Scottish Government’s rhetoric and action on the climate emergency. These include low carbon heating for our homes and buildings, and transport where emissions are rising and the active travel target has been missed by a mile.

City deals revealed as directionless

Wed 15 Jan, 2020

City Region deals in Scotland lack direction and should be realigned behind efforts to lower emissions, the Scottish Greens have said.

Responding to the Audit Scotland report which shows the high-profile funding packages have no way of measuring success, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “While it would be hard to spend £5.2bn without some kind of positive impact, this troubling report reveals just how opaque and directionless George Osborne’s City Deals have turned out in Scotland.