Greens launch council campaign “for a green future for our great city”
Edinburgh Greens have launched their campaign for the council elections in May, pledging “a green future for a great city” and with radical action on housing, care and transport. At a public meeting this evening the campaign will be launched by the party’s two co-convenors, former Leith Walk councillor Maggie Chapman and Green MSP Patrick…
Business rates actions shows need for scrutiny, says Wightman
Andy Wightman MSP, Local Government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, said today’s package of measures from the Scottish Government to address concerns about business rates shows the need for proper scrutiny of Holyrood’s second-biggest source of income. Amid concerns that revaluation will mean larger bills for some businesses, the Finance Secretary has announced that…
Campaign launch with Patrick Harvie and Maggie Chapman
This Thursday, 23rd February, we’ll be launching our council election campaign, and we’d love for you to be there! We’ll be hearing from Scottish Green Party Co-Conveners Patrick Harvie and Maggie Chapman, introducing our fantastic candidates and sharing our key messages and campaign pledges. This is the perfect opportunity to find out more about our…
Green councillors end of term report 2012-17
Edinburgh’s five Green councillors have published an end of term report, covering the period since their election in 2012.
Report into Edinburgh PPP school buildings is shocking wake-up call, say Green councillors
An independent inquiry into privately-financed schools in Edinburgh is a shocking wake-up call for future building and management of schools and other properties. That is the claim from Green councillors in Edinburgh as the inquiry led by Professor John Cole publishes its findings. The inquiry follows the collapse of a wall at Oxgangs Primary School…
Green councillors seek budget for community services, low income residents and savings for the future
Green councillors will seek to reverse planned cuts in libraries, special schools and swimming pools as the City Council meets to discuss its budget for 2017-18 tomorrow (9 February). Among the Green proposals are rejection of a £1.8m cut to libraries which would have seen opening hours slashed and mobile library services reduced; rejection of a…
Edinburgh budget: Greens secure extra funds to tackle cuts
Edinburgh Greens are welcoming the party’s historic deal to secure £160 million of additional funds from the Scottish Government to protect local council services such as schools and social care. For City of Edinburgh Council this agreement could mean an extra £10 million in revenue and £2.3 million in capital. Following discussions with Green MSPs…
Bus passes: Johnstone challenges minister over age eligibility
Alison Johnstone MSP, Social Security spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (24 January) used Topical Questions at Holyrood to challenge Scottish Ministers to scrap a proposed consultation on raising the age at which people qualify for a free bus pass. Free bus passes for the over-60s and disabled cost about £200 million a year and…
Short term lets: Wightman urges better regulation
Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (19 Jan) used General Questions at Holyrood to urge ministers to consider stronger regulations to address problems caused by a sharp rise in properties available for short-term rent. Mr Wightman, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, highlighted that a number of his Edinburgh constituents have been…
Scotland Office must act to keep Green Investment Bank open say Greens
Two Green MSPs are lobbying the Scotland Office to intervene in the potential sale of the Green Investment Bank. Alison Johnstone and Andy Wightman want the UK government’s office in Scotland to ensure that the bank maintains its commitment to environmental causes and that it safeguards the 55 jobs it has in Edinburgh; the city…
Council elections 2017: Greens gear up for pivotal role
The Scottish Greens are gearing up to play a pivotal role in local government as campaign preparations begin for the 2017 council elections in May, with a leading councillor promising to use any position of influence to “bring power back to local people”. At the last council elections, in 2012, the Greens won fourteen councillors…
Premature babies: Johnstone leads debate on extended leave
Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, will today (21 Dec) lead a Holyrood debate on extending maternity and paternity leave and expenses for parents of premature babies. Research by the charity Bliss shows that there are around 5,800 babies born prematurely every year in Scotland who require specialist hospital care and that…
Politics, Parliament and Power: Andy Wightman delivers annual Stephen Maxwell lecture
In December 2016, Lothian Green MSP Andy Wightman delivered the annual lecture in honour of the radical thinker and activist Stephen Maxwell who died in 2012. Andy’s theme was deepening and enriching our local democracy.
Army bases: Wightman urges affordable housing
Andy Wightman MSP, Housing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (9 Nov) urged Scottish Ministers to intervene in the proposed sell-off of defence sites including Glencorse Barracks in Midlothian, Redford Barracks in Edinburgh, and bases in Stirling. In the past, unions have been critical of MoD land being sold on the cheap and without guarantees…
Edinburgh Greens are recruiting: apply to work with us
Edinburgh Greens are recruiting for a full time post to work with us on the local authority election campaign from January to May 2017. Details of the job and how to apply are HERE and the deadline is 25 November 2016. We look forward to seeing your applications for this exciting opportunity!