Scottish Greens welcome elected politicians

Independent North Lanarkshire councillor Frances McGlinchey has joined her husband, MSP John Wilson, in joining the Scottish Green Party.

Wilson, who resigned from the SNP in September, and McGlinchey will continue to sit as independents until the next election, the same approach taken by Highland MSP John Finnie, and previous councillors who have joined the party whilst elected.

John Wilson said: “I am of the view that the Scottish Green party provides a real alternative direction to the issues and challenges facing Scotland.”

McGlinchey said she had been drawn to the Greens during the referendum campaign as a long-time activist for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Welcoming the new members Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP said: “As a popular local councillor Frances will be a huge asset to the Greens as we expand across Scotland, particularly in North Lanarkshire where our membership has more than quadrupled.”

The party says its membership has surged from 1,700 to 7,500 members since the referendum on Scottish independence, during which it campaigned for a yes vote. The last Ipsos-Mori poll on Holyrood voting intentions predicts the party may win 10 MSPs, more than both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. “I look forward to growing the Green group of MSPs to strengthen our work," said Harvie.