Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer has asserted that the SNP and the Greens hold a joint “mandate to deliver” a second referendum on Scottish independence. Speaking after the Holyrood election produced a record 73 pro-independence MSPs, Mr Greer insisted that the Prime Minister—or his successor—must “respect” this democratic outcome.
Record Pro-Independence Majority
The Scottish Parliament now has its highest-ever number of MSPs supporting independence, with 58 from the SNP and 15 from the Scottish Greens. This coalition of pro-independence parties represents a clear majority in the chamber. Meanwhile, Labour returned just 17 MSPs in Scotland, their lowest tally at any devolved election, as the party also lost control of the Senedd in Wales for the first time and suffered heavy losses of councillors across England.
Greer’s Call for Respect
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme, Mr Greer emphasised that “independence is urgently needed” and that his party “went into this election committed to achieving Scottish independence, and full membership of the European Union”. He argued that if parties win a majority in parliament with manifesto commitments, they have a mandate to deliver on those pledges. However, he clarified that the Greens are not planning to “unilaterally declare independence when we all get back to Parliament on Monday”, but rather to give people a choice over their future.
Mr Greer directed his remarks at the Prime Minister, saying: “I want the next prime minister—because let’s be honest, it is not going to be Keir Starmer for very long—the next prime minister needs to respect the people of Scotland have made this choice. We are a democratic country, people should be able to get what they want at an election.”
Standing Up to Reform UK
The Scottish Green co-leader also addressed threats from Reform UK, which had promised to locate detention centres for illegal immigrants in constituencies that voted Green if Reform wins the next Westminster election. Mr Greer condemned this as “explicitly threatened voters” and said many Scots responded by voting Green to “stand up to bullies”. With the Greens winning their first-ever constituency MSPs in Glasgow Southside and Edinburgh Central, he noted that people in those areas “wanted the whole country to see you can stand up to bullies”.
