Patrick Harvie to stand down as co-leader of the Scottish Greens
Patrick Harvie said he intended to stay on as an MSP
Patrick Harvie was lauded as a “formidable advocate for his ideals” as he announced he would stand down as the long-serving co-leader of the Scottish Greens this summer.
Mr Harvie, who has been an MSP since 2003, said he would not stand in the party’s upcoming leadership election.
However, he said he intended to stay on in Holyrood. The 52-year-old has held a leadership role in the party since 2008, making him the longest serving parliamentary leader in the UK.
In 2021, Mr Harvie and his co-leader Lorna Slater became the first Greens to enter government in the UK when their party signed a co-operation agreement with the SNP under Nicola Sturgeon.
Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeon’s successor, later ripped up this agreement, inadvertently causing his own downfall.
Mr Harvie said it had been “an extraordinary privilege to hold leadership roles in the Scottish Greens, first as co-convenor and then as part of our first ever co-leader team”.
He said: “It has also been humbling to have had the support of party members to serve in these roles, and to work with members around the country to advance Green politics in Scotland.”
First Minister John Swinney said he was sorry to see Mr Harvie stepping down. “He has been a formidable advocate for his ideals and I wish him well,” he said.
Mr Harvie’s party colleagues also paid tribute. Ross Greer, a Green MSP for the West Scotland region, said he was “one of the most consequential figures of the devolution era”. Mr Greer is widely seen as a potential leadership contender, and did not respond when asked if he intends to put his name forward.
Ms Slater called Mr Harvie a “thoughtful and loyal teammate”, adding: “He has been a friend, not just to me, but to all those he has helped since he was first elected in 2003. His achievements are often understated, but to anyone who has encountered this calm and tenacious man, you will know how deeply he cares about the work he does in our Parliament day after day.”
In a statement, Mr Harvie said: “At the start of devolution, few people regarded the Greens as a serious political force. But as we have grown, learned and developed, we have become the most significant, sustained new movement in Scottish politics for generations. Given the growing urgency of the climate emergency, that movement is greatly needed.
“Green solutions are more necessary than ever, and we have been the only party clearly making the case for the action needed to tackle growing inequality and the climate and nature emergency. Others are happy to set targets, but then actively resist the action needed to meet them.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped the party to grow, and given me the opportunity to play a role. There is far more work ahead of us, especially as we see both UK and Scottish governments drag their feet on climate action, and too often continue the policies which have made our society less equal.
“The election of co-leaders in a pre-election year is an important moment for the party. I won’t be part of the leadership team that fronts up that campaign, but I’m optimistic to see the party choose the people who will do so, and to us building on our record results and delivering the largest possible group of Green MSPs in 2026.”
The Scottish Greens’ two co-leader roles are automatically put up for re-election every two years. A recent poll suggested the party was on course to increase its crop of MSPs at the Holyrood election next year.
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