Veteran Green MSP Patrick Harvie to step down from leadership role

Patrick Harvie, the longstanding co-leader of the Scottish Greens, has announced he will step down from his leadership role at the upcoming party election this summer.

Mr Harvie has been a Green MSP since 2003 and has held senior positions in the party – acting as co-leader alongside Lorna Slater since 2019.

He had earlier been elected as the party’s co-convener in 2008.

During the SNP’s powersharing agreement with the Greens, he and Ms Slater became the first Green politicians in the UK to enter government as ministers.

The 52-year-old said he intends to put himself forward for selection to be an MSP candidate in 2026.

While Mr Harvie spent a few weeks away from Parliament due to a medical procedure earlier this year, it is understood his decision is based on personal reasons rather than any health condition.

Announcing his decision to step down, Mr Harvie said holding the leadership roles had been an “extraordinary privilege”.

The party’s two co-leader roles are automatically put up for re-election every two years.

Mr Harvie said: “At the start of devolution, few people regarded the Greens as a serious political force, but as we have grown, learned and developed. We have become the most significant, sustained new movement in Scottish politics for generations.

“Given the growing urgency of the climate emergency, that movement is greatly needed.

“Green solutions are more necessary than ever, and we have been the only party clearly making the case for the action needed to tackle growing inequality and the climate and nature emergency.

“Others are happy to set targets, but then actively resist the action needed to meet them.”

He continued: “There is far more work ahead of us, especially as we see both UK and Scottish Governments drag their feet on climate action, and too often continue the policies which have made our society less equal.

“The election of co-leaders in a pre-election year is an important moment for the party.

“I won’t be part of the leadership team that fronts up that campaign, but I’m optimistic to see the party choose the people who will do so, and to us building on our record results and delivering the largest possible group of Green MSPs in 2026.”

In a post on X, First Minister John Swinney said: “I am sorry to see @patrickharvie step down as co-leader of the @scottishgreens.

“He has been a formidable advocate for his ideals and I wish him well.”

Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, also paid tribute to Mr Harvie, saying: “Patrick’s legacy goes well beyond being the longest-serving political leader in the UK, or even being the leader who took Greens into government for the first time in the UK.

“His legacy will be marked every time a young person gets on public transport free of charge, with every renter who is able to keep a roof over their heads because of protections that Patrick secured and with every kilowatt of clean renewable power that Scotland produces because of Green policies.

“These are real achievements to be proud of. A legacy offering real hope for Scotland.”