Edinburgh central now has a Green MSP. This is not just a significant milestone for our party, but is obviously good news for anyone who cares about making the world a better place for people and planet.
Following on the heels of Hannah Spencer MP’s success in the Gorton and Denton by-election, we have thoroughly banished the myth that Greens can’t win in first-past-the-post elections. We’ve shown that a hopeful politics is what people want to see. With record numbers of MSPs at Holyrood we will continue to demand better for Scotland – from fair taxation of the super-rich, to public services that work for people, and for decisive action on the climate and nature emergencies.
But amid the celebrations for Greens, we can’t ignore the other story of this election. The fact that voters across Scotland chose to vote for Reform in their thousands. To put their faith in a party which has announced policies that wouldn’t be out of place in 1930s Germany, and which has repeatedly shown itself to be unfit to govern.
The meteoric rise of Reform is scary for many – we are worried about our friends and neighbours. Immigrants, disabled people, queer people and anyone that might be targetted by their new, cruel politics.
But instead of this, Greens offer hope. And solutions. Anger at continued austerity and cuts to public services will not be addressed by more of the same, but by raising taxes on the rich to invest in those public services. People’s frustration at not getting a GP appointment can’t be addressed by anti-immigrant sentiment, but by making sure our health service is properly supported.
Greens, whether in Parliament, local councils, or involved in our communities, will continue to fight for the positive vision of Edinburgh that we want to see. That recognises and celebrates the positive contribution immigrants make to our society. That understands that tackling the climate emergency and delivering investment in our public services must go hand-in-hand. We know that we are not alone in that – that thousands of people share our belief that the politics of hope can win over division and fear. And I would appeal to those who share that belief: get involved and join us.
Cllr Chas Booth is the Green councillor for Leith and co-convenor of the Edinburgh Green Group