Women and the redefining of power and politics

Maggie Chapman Wed 8 Mar

It is usual, on International Women’s Day, to reflect on the achievements and successes of women, on the victories of past campaigners, on the importance of equality and on just how far we have come. Yes, it is important to do all of these things. But it is also important to do more than this. IWD gives us the opportunity to foreground the kind of future we want for our daughters, granddaughters and great granddaughters, and indeed for our sons, grandsons, great grandsons, and descendants of neither binary gender.

If they can do a deal for the City of London, they can do a deal for Scotland

Maggie Chapman Tue 7 Feb

Transcript of speech from 7 Feb 2017

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for braving the wintry weather and coming along this afternoon to make your voices heard! I am Maggie Chapman, co-convener of the Scottish Greens, and I am pleased to see so many of you here.

We know that 62% of Scots voted to remain in the European Union. We know that many who voted to leave did so on the basis of staying in the single market. We know that many others who voted to leave now wished they had not.

Maggie Chapman: "We are citizens of the world."

Maggie Chapman Sat 22 Oct

This is the text of my speech to Scottish Greens Conference 2016, Saturday 22nd October. I had the honour of sharing the stage with two great green women: Ska Keller, and Anni Pues.

Good morning friends.

Response to post-referendum racism

Maggie Chapman Mon 27 Jun

"The Scottish Green Party totally condemns the actions and attitudes of racism and xenophobia that have come to light in recent days in Scotland and across the UK. In a modern, welcoming and diverse Scotland, it is entirely unacceptable to behave in this manner, and we remain committed to challenging these toxic attitudes at every turn.

In light of these events we offer our continued, unwavering support and solidarity with EU citizens, migrants and all affected by this surge of racism. Know that you will always be welcome, and that Greens will always stand with you."

Clip from Scotland 2016 - Wealth is created by all of us

Maggie Chapman Wed 13 Apr

"Wealth doesn't seep from the skin of rich people, it's there in our economy, created by all of us." - Maggie Chapman, Scottish Greens' Co-Convenor and lead North East List candidate on BBC Scotland 2016, 5 April 2016.

#IWD2016: The Cuts We've Faced Since The Economic Crash Have Hit Women The Hardest

Maggie Chapman Tue 8 Mar

On International Women's Day 2016, Maggie Chapman, Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party and MSP Candidate for the North East, shares her view on how the cuts we have faced as part of austerity measures have hit women the hardest.

Greens are committed to equality, and a fundamental part of that equality is gender equality. That's why Greens have a gender balanced leadership structure with co-convenors. While we have worked hard on women's representation in politics, there is a massive challenge for women today. 

We are on the brink of revolutionary change: thoughts on #BernieSanders

Maggie Chapman Sat 27 Feb

I shared a platform last night with Bernie Sanders’s brother, Oxford-based Larry, who is campaigning as part of #BritainforBernie and came to speak in Edinburgh. Here is my speech:

I’d like to begin by welcoming Larry to Scotland. February is maybe not everyone’s idea of the best time to visit, but I hope the sunshine and snowdrops are making the iciness bearable.

David MacLennan: a cultural legacy

Maggie Chapman Sun 21 Feb

This evening I had the huge honour of introducing and presenting a portrait of the late David MacLennan to his widow, Juliet Cadzow. Oran Mor hosted this event, and the painting, commissioned by Democratic Left Scotland and painted by Sandy Moffat, will have a home there for the foreseeable future. Here is a copy of the portrait, and the text of my speech.

Good evening everyone. Thank you to Dave (Anderson) for that introduction.

Routes to Independence

Maggie Chapman Sat 20 Feb

Speech from the opening plenary of the Radical Independence Conference, 20 February 2016, in Edinburgh.

No detriment and the weakness of Smith

Maggie Chapman Thu 11 Feb

We’ve heard much about no detriment this week, with the Scottish Government and most members of the Smith Commission being at odds, unsurprisingly, with the UK Government, about the design and impact of the new Fiscal Framework for Scotland given the limited devolution of further powers.

The Smith Commission report was not what we, as Greens, wanted. It didn’t go far enough to give Scotland the powers it needs to create an economy and society fit for the future. It was always going to lead to the situation we see now, perhaps even more so with a Tory government.