Like most members of the Scottish Green Party, I joined off the back of the Scottish independence referendum.
That period of political discussion was revolutionary, ideas of a better Scotland were endless. But one voice resonated with me, and with people like me. People who needed change, but their change wasn’t turning Fountainbridge into a tartan-clad Canary Wharf or Aberdeen into a ceilidh-dancing Dubai. People who wanted, not just radical economic change, but radical democratic change. People who wanted to see decisions impacting our communities being made by our communities. Be that community councils actually having real impact on planning and licensing matters, or workers making the decisions on how to adapt their workplaces to the future.
The only politician breaking through on this type of radical change for Scotland was Patrick Harvie. Patrick’s arguments, particularly in TV debates, allowed the public to envisage subsidiarity in action and I believe launched the Greens in the public’s mind from tree huggers to a real and important political force.
Of course by this point Patrick already had 10 years under his belt as an MSP and had already made a fair splash in the Scottish political scene. Being a leading voice on issues like the repeal of section 2A, objecting to the M74, and taking over Margo MacDonald’s work on assisted dying following her passing.
Now I know Patrick won’t thank me for this when he reads this article, but when Patrick took over leadership of the Scottish Greens - I’d just started my Standard Grades, and that was a fair while ago. A period of time before Barack Obama was the American President, and Gordon Brown was still the Prime Minister. I’m told that party conferences would have fewer people than we’d expect at a branch meeting nowadays. What I’m trying to say is, things have changed so much since he took the reins. Patrick himself said that it’s time for a new face to lead the party and I have to say, I think he’s spot on.
Since Lorna Slater took over from Maggie Chapman in the leadership job share with Patrick in 2019, we’ve seen our party’s aspirational direction solidly based at the national level. That’s not a surprise, nor is it in itself a criticism. For four years now, both our co-leaders have been MSPs and for most of that, government ministers. It’s totally understandable why their focus was on the jobs they do.
We’re at a crossroads now though. Any time political parties see a shift in leadership, it absolutely is the right time to stop, reflect, and consider what we could do better next time.
My reflection since the news of last Wednesday has been that we must focus on local matters if we’re to tackle the far-right populism run by millionaire goons. While the press like to focus on the ferry debacle, Biffa’s court case, or whatever else they will get hits on, real people continue to be frustrated by the challenges in their daily lives.
They’re annoyed that their bins don’t get collected, that their local park is left to rack and ruin, that they can’t take their kids to the local swimming pool because it’s not open outwith school times. They’re enraged at unreliable and expensive privately-operated public transport, fed up with constant potholes, and their communities are exhausted seeing no investment in new developments (except student housing and build to rent of course).
The working class communities that I represent are sick to the back teeth with all of these issues and boy, they are able to express it, but way too often there’s no-one there to listen.
This wasn’t the version of Scotland that Patrick talked about 11 years ago. The version of Scotland where people had the power to change society so that it worked for them, where they are. Independence would have undoubtedly made this easier but almost immediately after the vote - the parliament just seems to have forgotten about all the things they’d been told during the campaign. The parliament has consistently centralised its own power while cutting and ring fencing local government funding. Meaning those with any power to make a difference always have a hand tied behind their backs.
This is the change I want to see. I want the Scottish Greens to elect a councillor as one of their co-leaders.
I want someone to lead us who sits with their community council every month and aren’t swept up in the circus of Holyrood.
I want someone who actually sees how crucial public services are delivered first-hand taking the lead.
I want the people of Scotland to see a public servant who is ingrained in their own community on the TV.
Way too often we look only to our MSPs to lead the way - this is backwards. We have an extraordinary wealth of talent amongst our local representatives. People like Luna Martin, who is leading Argyll and Bute councils work on Climate Change, Renewables and Net Zero. Or Susan Rae, a working class councillor already co-leading a group of ten councillors on the City of Edinburgh Council.
Or councillors who are already leaders within the party. Like Councillor Shona McIntosh who co-convenes the party’s Elections and Campaigns Committee while being engrained in her community in Musselburgh. Or Councillor Anthony Carroll, a tireless advocate for the East End of Glasgow, all while co-leading Green Councillors nationally.
Councillors may not debate in a chamber as often or stand in front of TV cameras as regularly, but are soundbites and good video clips what we need from a leader? Or would we be better with someone on the ground, with their finger on the pulse and who are invested in delegating power to communities?
When the campaign starts this summer for our leadership elections - you should consider voting for a councillor.
Dan Hutchison is a Scottish Green Party councillor for Govan. He has previously served on the party’s Standing Orders Committee and as co-convener of the Scottish Young Greens.
Fantastic piece Dan, well written and articulates the point incredibly well. Hopefully this will encourage members to consider the choice when candidates are announced.
Good point well made. I would quibble with one point though: 'are soundbites and good video clips what we need from a leader' Sadly I think they are very needed. On the flip side, you absolutely don't need to be an MSP to do decent media - indeed pre election Lorna Slater is a good example!