Ross Greer MSP

West of Scotland

External Affairs, Education & Skills, Culture & Media

Ross was Communities Co-ordinator at Yes Scotland, helping to develop the movement for independence. He is a member of Holyrood's European and Education committees. Ross is an active community campaigner on issues ranging from school closures to supermarket expansion and opportunities for young people. Upon election in May 2016 at the age of 21, Ross became the youngest MSP in the history of the Scottish Parliament. He was formerly a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Clydebank & MIilngavie constituency and led on the successful campaign to give 16 & 17 year olds the vote in the independence referendum.

Greer welcomes judgement from Court of Session on Article 50 case

Fri 21 Sep, 2018

The Court of Session today issued an opinion in favour of a group of politicians, which means that they can ask the European Court of Justice to rule on whether Article 50 can be revoked, stopping Brexit.

The group includes Scottish Green MSPs Andy Wightman and Ross Greer, Labour MEPs David Martin and Catherine Stihler and SNP MEP Alyn Smith, and was represented by Aidan O’Neill QC and Elaine Motion of Balfour Manson law firm.

Ross Greer MSP, Europe spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said:

Greens vote to scrap p1 standardised testing

Wed 19 Sep, 2018

The Standardised Testing of primary one pupils faces an uncertain future after Greens and other opposition parties at Holyrood voted to scrap them.

Ross Greer, the Scottish Greens’ education spokesperson says the Scottish Parliament can now be added to a long list of those calling on the method of testing to be stopped, a list including Scotland’s largest teaching union and education experts.

Education Secretary should ‘cut his losses’ & scrap standardised testing of five-year-olds

Wed 5 Sep, 2018

Education Secretary John Swinney was today (5 Sep) told by Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP to ‘cut his losses’ and scrap the standardised testing of five-year-olds before the Scottish Parliament votes to instruct him to do so.

Careful consideration needs given to third consecutive drop in Higher passes

Tue 7 Aug, 2018

A 3rd annual drop in the Higher pass rate must be carefully monitored, Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP warned today (7 Aug).

This year 76.8% of entries were marked at Grade C or above compared with 77% last year and 77.2% in 2016.

Ross Greer MSP said:

“Exam results don’t define you but we should congratulate the young people across Scotland who have achieved a lot today. At the same time, careful consideration needs given to this third consecutive drop in Higher passes and the potential of it becoming a trend.

If Serco and the Home Office want to throw people onto the street, they’ll first have to get past the people of Glasgow

Ross Greer MSP Sat 4 Aug, 2018

The Westminster government has unleashed yet another tragedy on Glasgow. 330 asylum seekers are set to be forcibly evicted from their homes. Hundreds of vulnerable people will be made homeless, creating a humanitarian crisis.

Serco, contracted by the Home Office to provide asylum seeker housing, is moving to evict 330 people, including even those who’ve been granted the right to stay by Britain’s cruel asylum system.

Poll shows 7 out of 10 Scots would prefer investment in teaching staff to governance reforms

Mon 23 Jul, 2018

Education Secretary John Swinney is under fresh pressure to abandon the roll-out of expensive and unwanted regional education boards after an opinion poll commissioned by the Scottish Greens showed 7 out of 10 Scots would prefer investment in teaching staff to governance reforms.

It follows last month's shelving of the government's flagship Education Bill in the face of criticism from teachers, unions, parents and Holyrood’s four opposition parties.

Rail Report: Ask the New Minister To Support Re-dualling Campaign

Tue 3 Jul, 2018

People are being encouraged to send a message to the new Cabinet Secretary for Transport after a well-attended public meeting in Milngavie last week (25 June) saw Green MSP Ross Greer launch his report calling for the line to Milngavie to be re-dualled.

Greer says Swinney "humiliated" as much-criticised Education Bill proposals are shelved

Tue 26 Jun, 2018

Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP today (26 June) described Education Secretary John Swinney as "humiliated" after the deputy first minister announced that he would be shelving his much-criticised Education Bill proposals.

Greens have been consistent opponents of the SNP's proposed changes of school governance, a view shared by teachers, unions, parents, councils and education experts, when the real issue facing Scottish education is lack of resources and loss of teaching and support staff.

Ross Greer MSP said:

Refugees set to get the right to vote as MSPs back Green proposal

Thu 21 Jun, 2018

Refugees living in Scotland are set to be given the right to vote after MSPs backed a Green proposal for voting to become an “important component of integration into Scottish society”.

When enacted, the amendment from the World Refugee Day debate at Holyrood will see refugees and asylum seekers who are legally resident in Scotland given the ability to vote in all elections and referendums.

The Greens’ commitment to campaigning for independence could not be clearer

Ross Greer MSP Fri 15 Jun, 2018

“For me, independence is about autonomy, allowing Scotland to meet success and failure on its own merit and not point an embittered finger of blame at anyone else”. These aren’t the words of a dyed-in-the-wool independence supporter, but rather a very recent convert who is no longer able to “tolerate a Tory government prepared to treat devolution with blatant contempt”.

You might recognise these welcome and salient words from the brilliant news yesterday that the former Daily Record editor, Murray Foote will back independence the next time we are asked the question.