THE Scottish Greens have embarked on a leadership race after an activist who joined just ahead of the independence referendum campaign has challenged one of the party’s co-conveners and longer-serving members for the top post.

Zara Kitson, who is second on the Glasgow regional list of candidates for next year’s Holyrood election, is standing to replace Maggie Chapman as female co-convener.

Unlike other political parties the Scottish Greens have two leaders, one of each gender to convey its commitment to gender equality.

Kitson versus Chapman is believed to be the first serious leadership contest in the party’s history as to date new co-conveners have usually taken over after the previous postholder stood aside voluntarily.

Current male co-convener Patrick Harvie MSP was elected uncontested after Robin Harper stood down in November 2008. Likewise, Chapman took over from Martha Wardrop as female co-convener in November 2013, who in turn succeeded Alison Johnstone without the position being contested.

Kitson (left), who joined the party in 2011 and has been endorsed by the MSP Alison Johnstone, and the former MSP Mark Ruskell, said: “As Scotland gears up to elect new voices to Holyrood next year, the opportunity for Scottish Greens to lay stake as the progressive opposition is historic.



“This is a critical time for our party to role up our sleeves and set out a vision for Scotland’s future. I believe I can bring an energy and commitment to the campaign as our co-convenor and am delighted to announce my candidacy for the role.

“I joined the Greens in 2011 on the advice of former MSP Mark Ruskell and am delighted to have Mark propose me as co-convenor, alongside our fantastic MSP for Lothian and former co-convenor, Alison Johnstone. I’m looking forward to connecting with members across the country to ensure that we present a vision for Scotland next year which every Green can be proud of.”

Chapman joined the party in 2004 and was elected at the age of 26 to City of Edinburgh Council to represent Leith Walk ward. She has been co-convener since November 2013 and stood down as an Edinburgh councillor earlier this year to put her efforts into getting elected as a Green MSP for North East Scotland, where she is top of the regional list.

The former academic was also involved in campaigning for a Yes vote and has worked to combat the perception of the Greens as a single-issue party by campaigning, becoming the first politician to call for public bodies to pay the Living Wage.

She has also championed the cause of refugees and asylum seekers.

“There is still a lot still to achieve,” she said.

“The Holyrood elections are the Scottish Greens’ biggest challenge yet, and it’s important we have someone with my blend of youth and experience as co-convener. I bring an understanding of how to change politics and make Scotland a better place. That’s more important now than ever.”

She added: “I am an immigrant, and I support my family in Zimbabwe. I know how difficult it can be for people in situations where they have family responsibilities. It’s great to have a multicultural world, where people are welcomed, but I am well aware of the costs that come with that.”

The party currently has around 9,000 members, up from 1,700 before September last year when it campaigned along with the SNP and socialists for a Yes vote.

A recent TNS poll predicted the Greens would get eight per cent of the regional vote at next year’s Scottish parliament elections, taking them to nine MSPs – the most they have ever achieved – and meaning a Green MSP in each of Scotland’s eight regions.

A Scottish Greens spokesman said: “Competition for internal positions is a sign of a healthy party, and we are clearly benefitting from our membership surge. We encourage and support members to get fully involved in the party so we can benefit from their huge range of skills and experiences. This in turn will help us elect the largest ever team of Green MSPs next May, a team we hope will include both Maggie and Zara.”

He added: “Equality is a core value for the Scottish Greens. Our principle of having gender balanced co-conveners shows how committed we are to achieving fairness in politics.”

Party members will vote later this month.

The National View: A strong Scotland needs credible opposition parties