Party Profiles is a series of interviews with candidates and political heavyweights heading into the 2026 Scottish Government Election. Politicians all want to win you over, but who really has young people’s interests at heart?
The Scottish Greens are going into the 2026 Holyrood election with governmental experience and a plan to put left-wing pressure on the government while pushing back on rising far-right doctrine.
“Some of this is not happening by accident… the worst element don’t believe in democracy, they know it is not cohesive with their wealth.”
These were the words of Patrick Harvie, the former co-leader of the Scottish Greens and regional MSP for Glasgow since 2003, when he sat down for an interview with Brig.
The Scottish Greens formed part of the coalition Scottish Government alongside the SNP from August 2021 until April 2024, which saw the Scottish Greens leave government amidst the breakdown of the Bute House Agreement.
Harvie served as the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights; he is the only person to ever hold this office.
What Can The Party Offer Young People?
“I think there’s no other party that’s done as much to address the unfairness of our economy towards young people.” Harvie said on the topic.
He highlighted the Scottish Greens’ efforts to implement a rent freeze and to fight unsafe working conditions for young people as recent key victories for the party.
Looking towards 2026, he said that further rent controls are a crucial priority as both rents and house prices spiral out of control. New housing legislation proposes giving local councils the power to implement long-term rent controls, but Harvie highlighted that “there needs to be politicians in Holyrood that are willing to use those powers”.
“The housing bill was watered down by the SNP.” He added and specified lacking energy efficiency mandates for landlords as a key measure that the party would like to see added.
At the recent party conference, the party’s co-leaders set out the party’s key missions as fighting wealth inequality, supporting working people, furthering climate action and pursuing Scottish independence.
Co-leader Ross Greer said in his conference speech, “We recognise that life in the UK isn’t working for millions of people. Every day I speak to constituents who are really struggling… It’s a rigged system, not a broken one.”
More details on the party’s policies can be found here.
The Party Today
The Scottish Greens will be going into the 2026 election with two new co-leaders: Ross Greer, regional MSP for West Scotland, and Gillian Mackay, regional MSP for Central Scotland.
This change in leadership has coincidentally aligned with the Green Party of England and Wales electing Zach Polanski as their new leader in September.
This new leadership has given the party a significant boost, particularly thanks to Polanski’s efforts on social media and numerous TV appearances, and now sees the Greens polling alongside Labour in UK polls.
“He has a great social media game and he’s galvanised a lot of support”, Patrick Harvie said of Polanski.
Both branches of the party are pushing the message that the Green Party is the left-wing antithesis of the rising Reform party.
Harvie stated that “The presence of a far right block in the Scottish parliament is dangerous”
He added that the government needs to do more to call out Reform’s candidates and leadership, which he described as “The liars, the grifters, the corrupt politicians”.
“There’s a need for green politics to be seen as not just necessary but good, to take away and challenge the powerful that blame the vulnerable.
“The Labour Party have given up on challenging the powerful”
Time in Government and the SNP
While the Scottish Greens’ dramatic departure from government did some damage to the party’s public image, recent polling suggests support has largely recovered.
“It was a turbulent period, and there were some hurt feelings, but we’ve moved and are ready to contest this election.
“The SNP needs to be held to account, and the Greens bring pressure by being constructive and challenging with proven policies.”
Looking at the government’s actions since the Greens’ departure, Harvie was rather critical, “The SNP have not been going in the right direction since the relationship went down.
“Governments are at their best when forced to work with others, forced to be transparent and work with other parties”
However, Harvie looks back on the Greens’ time in government as a success overall, saying, “I’m very glad we chose to go into government.
“We wanted to deliver some stuff that would help people in the short term and lay the groundwork for the future… I think we got a huge amount done.”
He also added, “I think the SNP voters like what we make them do” he specifically highlighted under 22 bus passes and pushing for sanctions on Israel.
“People want parties to stand for something but also be flexible. Working with the SNP proved that the Greens were flexible.”
A Word to Young People
“Obviously, I’ll say I want you to vote, ideally I’d want you to vote for the Greens but more than anything, you need to vote.”
Harvie’s closing message to young people was that the Scottish Greens are the only party that truly has young people’s interests at heart and is willing to challenge the political establishment.
“Remember, politics needs to respond to you and your priorities, and if you don’t engage, politics is going to respond to someone else’s priorities.”
More Party Profiles can be found here.
Featured Image Credit: Scottish Greens
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