Greens focus on boosting number of MSPS but face fight with new pro-independence parties

THE Scottish Greens have ended the year eyeing a record-breaking target at May’s Holyrood election – but have been dealt a blow after a prominent MSP quit the party after being unable to back the party’s stance on transgender issues.

The Greens began 2020 with their now annual Budget deal with the SNP – this year securing additional funding for policing and local government and a commitment by the Scottish Government to set up a free bus travel scheme for under-19s.

The party has built support in 2020 and is now hoping to topple Labour at next year’s Holyrood election and is targeting winning up to 18 seats.

However, the Greens will have to compete with a flurry of pro-independence parties who chose 2020 to launch on to the Scottish political scene – all hoping to secure seats at May’s election.

One of the most prominent parties to be set up , the Alliance for Independence, launched by former SNP MP Dave Thompson, was forced to change its name to Action for Independence after an objection by the Electoral Commission.

The party aims to stand candidates in the list system in May’s election to “Max the Yes” and help get a second referendum.

But the Greens appear fairly relaxed about new pro-independence options on the ballot when the Scottish electorate goes to the polls.

Speaking at the party’s virtual conference in October, co-leader Patrick Harvie said the Greens had shown their “track record” over the two decades of devolution.

He added: “We’ll look forward to the May election, standing on our record, and I think the polls at the moment show we have the potential to make gains right across the country.”

But the Greens lost one of their existing six MSPS earlier this month when Lothians politician Andy Wightman resigned from the party.

Mr Wightman was facing legal action earlier this year after Wildcat Haven Enterprises attempted to sue him for £750,000 in a defamation case but Lord Clark ruled his comments in a blog were not defamatory.

The MSP quit the Greens this month after saying he could not “operate in this kind of environment”, adding he had

“been saddened by the intolerance shown by some party members” over discussions relating to transgender rights and issues.

Mr Wightman acknowledged the party’s “strong commitment to equalities and trans rights” but warned that “some of the language, approaches and postures of the party and its spokespersons have been provocative, alienating and confrontational for many women and men”.

Mr Wightman will remain an independent MSP until the Scottish Parliament elections on May 6.