Get the latest from West Scotland Candidate Ross Greer

Scottish Greens issue warning over fake green candidates

Mon 3 May, 2021

The Scottish Greens have warned voters that far right extremists and conspiracy theorists are standing at the election masquerading as ‘greens’.

These include Trump-supporting Alistair McConnachie, who was expelled from UKIP for Holocaust denial and is standing under the 'Independent Green Voice' banner.

McConnachie is best known for denying the existence of gas chambers at Nazi concentration camps but has also provided social media support to the Orange Order and regularly organises counter-protests to pro-independence and anti-racism rallies. 

Revealed: Flamingo Land offered 125 year lease at Loch Lomond

Fri 30 Apr, 2021

The Scottish Greens' Ross Greer has uncovered Scottish Government plans to offer Flamingo Land a 125 year lease on the West Riverside site at Balloch, should their controversial 'resort' proposals receive planning permission.

Greer has hailed this news as a partial victory for the Save Loch Lomond campaign and their efforts to keep the land in public hands. However, he has also warned that it is likely part of a plan from the developers and government to undermine the arguments used against their unsuccessful first attempt to build a 'luxury resort' on the site.

Scottish Greens Pledge to End Primary School Homework

Mon 12 Apr, 2021

The Scottish Greens are set to propose an end to homework in primary schools, pointing to evidence that rather than helping to improve attainment, it can often have a harmful effect on younger children’s attitude towards learning.

Greens to guarantee pupils rights to residential trips

Mon 12 Apr, 2021

The Scottish Greens will tomorrow unveil proposals to guarantee every pupil at least one residential trip during their time at both primary and secondary schools.

The proposal, set to be launched at the party’s manifesto launch in Glasgow, would give every school pupil a right to at least one residential school trip, as well as establish a support fund to ensure that low-income families are not excluded on grounds of cost.

Scotland should begin playing a bigger role on the international stage in preparation for independence, say Greens

Fri 9 Apr, 2021

Scotland can play a more active role in the international community, even before independence is achieved according to the Scottish Greens’ manifesto for the upcoming Holyrood elections.

The Greens’ are set to propose that Scotland seek associate membership of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nordic Council, as well as observer status of the Arctic Council.

Scottish Greens reveal plan to tackle disinformation

Tue 6 Apr, 2021

In a first for a Scottish Parliament election, the Greens are set to unveil a suite of policies designed to tackle the growing problem of fake news and disinformation.

The policies, included in the party’s upcoming election manifesto, include proposals to set up an independent office to coordinate efforts aimed at tackling disinformation and an aim to replicate the success of Finland’s efforts at integrating media literacy and critical thinking into their school curriculum.

Scottish Greens education and media spokesperson Ross Greer said:

Greens pledge 5,500 teachers to help schools recovery

Fri 2 Apr, 2021

Scottish Greens will today reveal plans to recruit an additional 5,500 teachers to help schools recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scottish Greens manifesto will make the pledge, an increase of 10% of the workforce, to help reduce class sizes and teacher workload, which unions warn have become unmanageable in recent years.

Scottish Greens brand racism report a disgrace

Wed 31 Mar, 2021

A new report from the The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities which claims the UK is not institutionally racist has been branded a 'disgrace' by the Scottish Greens.

Responding to the report, Scottish Greens external affairs spokesperson Ross Greer said:

UK Nuclear weapons expansion is delusional and dangerous

Tue 16 Mar, 2021

Plans to expand the UK’s nuclear weapons stockpile are delusional and dangerous when the world already facing existential threats from a virus and climate breakdown, the Scottish Greens have said.

As part of overall increased ‘defence’ spending, the announcement by the Prime Minister today to increase nuclear warheads by more then 40% reverses 30 years of disarmament. This goes against the objectives of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a historic international agreement to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles of which the UK is a key signatory.

Scottish Greens: Kids should start school at seven

Sun 21 Feb, 2021

Scotland should introduce a kindergarten stage, with children starting formal primary schooling at seven, the Scottish Greens have said.

Research shows a Nordic-style kindergarten system between the ages of three and six, with learning undertaken through ‘creative play’ rather than a ‘formal learning’ approach, would improve children’s wellbeing and educational outcomes later in their school career.