The Scottish Greens (also known as the Scottish Green Party; ; ) are a green political party in Scotland. The party has seven MSPs in the Scottish Parliament as of May 2021. As of the 2022 local elections, the party sits on 13 of the 32 Scottish local councils, with a total of 35 councillors. They hold two ministerial posts in the Yousaf government following a power-sharing agreement with the SNP in August 2021, marking the first time Green party politicians will be in government in the UK.
The Scottish Greens were created in 1990 when the former Green Party separated into two independent parties, representing Scotland and England and Wales. The party is affiliated to the Global Greens and the European Green Party.
Party membership increased dramatically following the Scottish independence referendum, during which it supported Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom.
Organisation
The Scottish Greens are fully independent, but work closely with the green parties from Ireland: the Green Party Northern Ireland and the Green Party of Ireland. Until October 2022, it also cooperated with the Green Party of England and Wales. It is a full member of the European Green Party. The party currently has seven MSPs and 35 councillors. At the 2005 Westminster election, the party contested 19 seats and polled 25,760 votes, they returned no MPs. Its highest share of the vote was 7.7% of the vote in Glasgow North. In the European Parliament election of 2004, it polled 6.8% of the vote and did not return any MEPs. The party lost five of their seven seats in the 2007 Scottish Parliament election.
According to accounts filed with the Electoral Commission for the year ending 31 December 2009, the party had an income of about £90,230 that year, an expenditure of £61,165 and a membership of 1,072.
Membership
Within days of the Scottish independence referendum being held, the membership swelled to more than 5,000. Launching its manifesto for the 2015 UK general election, the Scottish Greens stated a membership of over 8,500. By October 2015 the party were holding their biggest ever conference, with their membership standing at more than 9,000. In mid-2021 it had fallen back somewhat, reported as standing at 7,500. In April 2023 the number of members had risen to 7,646.
Conferences
The Scottish Greens hold conferences every Spring and Autumn, where members from throughout Scotland attend to deal with all the business of the party, with members voting on conference motions and policy motions.
Party Council
Between conferences, the Party Council provides the forum for strategic decisions, policy discussions, oversight and branch coordination. The council is composed of two delegates from branches, usually branch co-convenors, representative and special interest groups. The council is currently led by only one Council Co-Convenor Laura Moodie pending the election of another Co-Convenor after the resignation of James Puchowski.
Party Executive Committee
The party's day-to-day administration is supervised by the Executive Committee which is currently led by Executive Co-Chairs Ross Greer and Ellie Gomersall. This committee also oversees the work of the elected National Committees; Finance & Fundraising, Elections & Campaigns, Policy, Membership and International.
Branches
The party is made up of branches, who usually cover one or more local authority areas, and meet on a regular basis.
Representation and special interest groups
The Scottish Greens have five self-organised representation groups: Scottish Young Greens Women's Network Rainbow Greens Disabled Greens Greens of Colour
They also currently have one formally recognised special interest group: Scottish Green Party Trade Union Group
These groups have additional meetings and discussions which are separate from the main party meetings.