What is Green Left?
Building a better Scotland from the ground up.
Scotland needs a vehicle for the left. With some work, the Scottish Greens can provide it.
Why now?
By any measure, it’s been a frustrating few years for the left in Scotland. The Tories have been sidelined for now, in their place coming a Labour government offering little in the way of change. In Holyrood, we have an SNP government which will (probably) limp through to 2026 under the guise of a caretaker First Minister.
The general election showed us that the politics of the left are popular. As a Green candidate I saw first hand how people living in every part of Glasgow, from mansions to multis, resonated with plans for a wealth tax, respected our unwavering support for Palestine, and supported efforts to prevent the worst effects of the climate emergency from taking hold.
But at present, the options for the left in Scotland are very limited, with the only insurgent political force anywhere in Britain coming from the far-right, as Reform look set to become bigger players in every part of the country - including Scotland.
And that is the problem. While the SNP, Labour, and the Tories fight it out amongst themselves for the support of big business and bankers, little is being done to improve the lives of working people in Scotland and across the UK.
The Scottish Greens are not immune to criticism, nor should we be. Having been in government for the best part of three years we’ve played a huge part in every policy decision north of the border since 2021 - a time period, I think it’s fair to say, which most people wouldn’t associate with better living standards, thriving public services, or a stronger voice for ordinary folk. It’s only natural - and right - that we get to take credit for the good, while shouldering some blame for the bad.
But, in my opinion, looking backward would not be beneficial. Not for workers, not for the party, and certainly not for the left in Scotland. We’re a long way out from a Scottish election, but among the establishment parties planning is already underway. We need to be ready.
What is Green Left?
In my opinion, the mainstream perception of Scottish Greens is incredibly out of date. As a member of eight years, my experience is that activists who could be considered posh are outnumbered 10-to-1 by working class grafters, driven by a vision for a fairer Scotland.
We’re far from perfect. Our record in government - in particular the cuts implemented whilst we worked with the SNP - has lost us support in some pockets of the Scottish left. Active membership has dwindled as the party has centralised. And with it, our radical edge - key to expanding beyond our current level of support across the country - has been dulled.
With few other options, I think now is the perfect time to show another Scotland is possible, and with it, grow the Scottish Greens into an even more potent political force. But first, there is work which must be done. That’s where I hope Green Left will come in.
As a political party, Greens do best when they empower the social movements they were created to represent, not when they seek to speak over them. Trade unions, environmental activists, international solidarity groups must be central to this project. Without them, it is doomed to fail.
Elsewhere, this work is already underway. As Labour have shifted to the right, with what little socialist credentials the party had now fading into the distance, the Green Party of England and Wales have seen an uptick in support. Like us in Scotland, Green growth down South relies on an ability to reach out to those disillusioned by Labour, the SNP and others. So, Greens Organise was born.
When launching, the group stated:
“We believe in the power of a clear, bold message that speaks directly to the public’s demand for real change, mobilises a diverse working class, and secures a broad mandate for an internationalist, anti-capitalist, and ecologically transformative agenda.”
These principles should underpin the work of Green Left in Scotland, and with it - in time, I hope - the Scottish Green Party itself.
Green shoots of hope?
Not since 2003 has there been such an historic opportunity and desire for change in Scotland. Then, both the Greens and the SSP swept into Holyrood, with the largest group of left-wing MSPs in the Scottish Parliament in its 25 years.
In my opinion, only one party can currently recapture this potential and, quite simply, it is crucial that this happens. Without it, the left in Scotland’s biggest political arena will become irrelevant come 2026, with either the SNP or Labour government given no choice but to work with each other, the Lib Dems - or worse, an emboldened right-wing caucus. A strong group of Green MSPs in Holyrood is our only hope.
To achieve this, we must put aside our pride. Growth requires hard work and a willingness to listen to those who in the past may have thought twice before voting Green. It is key that we gain the trust of the most vulnerable in our society, and give a voice to the voiceless.
Green Left won’t have all the answers, but by speaking to those across the movement, hopefully we can move the dial just a bit in what can be Scotland’s party of the left.
In solidarity,
Niall