Patrick Harvie calls on Scottish Greens to prepare for a new independence campaign

Patrick Harvie - Image credit: Colin Hattersley Photography

Patrick Harvie MSP has called on Scottish Green Party members and supporters to prepare for the next independence campaign, saying that the UK people voted for in 2014 no longer exists.

Addressing the Scottish Greens’ conference in Perth today, the party’s co-convener said: "We find ourselves with the results of two referendums which can’t fit together.

“We have a two year old 55 per cent mandate, and this year’s 62 per cent mandate.

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“Even if Better Together and the Leave campaign hadn’t lied, the UK which people voted for in 2014 no longer exists.

"We must prepare for the next independence campaign, not just to win a Yes vote, but to win a better Scotland.”

“Greens will continue to strengthen the case on issues such as currency and industrial strategy.”

With reference to next year’s local government elections, Harvie continued: “We’re also moving into a year in which Scotland will decide how our local communities are run for the next five years; when Holyrood will decide whether councillors will have the freedom to renew and revitalise local democracy, or just hand on more cuts to public services.

“And we're moving into a year in which we'll have the chance to build a fairer economy by sharing the wealth that all of us generate but which has been hoarded by so few for so long.

He concluded: "In all of these choices, Greens have a vital role to play, and your campaigning will make all the difference."