Scottish Greens vow record number of election candidates

The Scottish Greens have vowed to stand candidates in 32 seats at the next General Election - a record number for the party.

Co-leader Lorna Slater told her party's spring conference it was on course to beat its previous Westminster record of 31 candidates in 2015.

She told delegates: "We want as many people as possible to be able to vote for climate action and equality."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he expects an election in "the second half" of 2024.

Ms Slater said told the conference held at Edinburgh Napier University that Mr Sunak's government was "not fit for purpose".

She said: "It has failed in every single duty. It has cost jobs, it has cost lives and it is time for them to go."

The Lothian MSP also said Labour had "reversed" its position on climate action.

The Scottish Greens also promised to put pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to end "status quo" politics if Labour wins the next general election.

The party's Scottish co-leader Patrick Harvie warned that any Labour administration must "change the direction of the country" if it is to continue to have the support of voters.

Mr Harvie also stated that Labour would need to "reset the relationship" with the Holyrood administration that the Greens form part of.

The Greens say they want their voice to be heard across Scotland in this general election. The highest number of Westminster candidates was 31 in 2015.

They’re already planning to beat that with 32 and that number could rise as it’s up to local branches to make the decision - and some still have to make selections.

Yes, this general election is hugely significant for the country - but the Greens really have their sights set on another electoral test. That’s the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

Party insiders believe there’s an opportunity for a “massive breakthrough” and it’s really important for them to set their stall out now.

They want to be engaging with voters at this year’s election and setting out what they think the party’s achieving in government.

The Green Party machine can use that voter data, candidates can get a good run out in the constituencies, they can get access to hustings, TV debates, freepost leaflets and party election broadcasts.

Ultimately, they want to be regarded as serious challengers and you need to keep plugging away at the election cycle to prosper.

SNP parliamentarians and members are concerned about the Greens though.

There’s some disquiet in the SNP about what is seen as a too powerful junior partner in government and ultimately the possibility of the pro-independence vote being split in tight seats.

Green Party members I spoke to dismiss that - and say they’re pro-independence anyway and want to give people a true choice.

Labour is currently leading UK-wide opinion polls ahead of a general election later this year.

In February the party ditched its policy of spending £28bn a year on its green investment plan, in a major U-turn.

At the time Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, called the move a "massive backward step" for the climate, the economy and for jobs.

Mr Harvie has now called on Labour to restore their £28bn pledge and said the Scottish Greens would place any incoming government "under immediate pressure to drop that commitment to status quo politics".

He said: "Everybody knows this is a UK election year and like most people around the country, Greens are looking forward to seeing little blue dots disappear from the election map on election night.

"But we are also deeply concerned in the morning after we're going to be looking at the formation of an incoming UK government that will still be committed to Tory fiscal rules, still be committed to Tory spending limits, still be committed to austerity."

Mr Harvie also said the current approach from the UK government was "toxic" and that the Conservative administration "has been seeking to undermine and block action by the devolved Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government for far too long".

He also claimed that Scotland is "leading the way" on taking steps to reduce carbon emissions."