NEWS RELEASE – Scotland must set the pace on same-sex marriage

Greens have welcomed today’s demonstration of cross-party support for legislation lifting the ban on same-sex marriage and mixed-sex civil partnership in Scotland, and have called for a Bill to be published this year.

Patrick Harvie MSP joined with all other opposition leaders in signing the Equal Marriage campaign’s pledge of support, ahead of what is expected to be the most well-attended reception ever hosted at Holyrood since the creation of the Scottish Parliament.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“It’s really encouraging to see so much support for Equal Marriage both inside Parliament and outside, and all that’s needed is for the Government to come forward with the legislation.

“I see no reason why a Bill couldn’t be published this year, and I’m convinced that when MSPs have the chance to vote on this, Scotland will once again set the pace of change for the rest of the UK by backing equality for same-sex couples. This is a vital signal about the kind of progressive society that Scotland wants to be in the 21st century.”

From STV Local – We need to start building Glasgow’s better future now

If my next few decades are healthier than my last and I make it to the age of 88, I will be around to find out whether the glossy new image of ‘Future Glasgow’ ever comes to pass.

That’s the name of Glasgow City Council’s 50 year vision, and it takes its place alongside the Scottish Government’s equally glossy ‘Agenda for Cities’ published last week.

It’s fashionable for policymakers to set out long term vision statements and even to set specific targets which aren’t supposed to be delivered for decades to come.

I worry that it undermines the urgency of the immediate tasks we should be addressing.

Glasgow is a vibrant, exciting city, and like many people I find it a great place to live. It’s also a city with huge problems of poverty and inequality, and real challenges for the future.

Setting an ambitious long term approach is important, but there is little value in painting a wonderful picture of a bright future if the actions taken in the here and now are simply repeating the familiar old pattern.

Last week Holyrood debated these issues, and in the debate I emphasised the importance of focusing on the needs of a city’s people, and not just getting fixated on the concept of economic growth.

Before the current recession we saw decades of continual growth, but the gap between rich and poor just kept on getting wider. The wealth which benefited the few was created at the expense of other people, and the planet.

The referendum debate picks up pace

The week has been dominated by the issue of the independence referendum, and the UK Government’s
[a] crass attempt to intervene and pull strings.
[b] proposals for a fair, decisive and legal vote.
(delete as applicable)

On Thursday, the matter came to the Holyrood chamber, with a debate opened by Johann Lamont, entitled Scotland’s Future. Here’s my contribution to the debate:

…and a discussion in the Newsnight Scotland studio the same evening:

Concessions needed on both sides of independence debate

Speaking after this morning’s Scottish Parliament debate on the independence referendum, Scottish Greens have called for both UK and Scottish Governments to give ground to prevent the referendum becoming mired in legal conflicts.

Patrick Harvie lodged an amendment to the one put forward by Alex Salmond, calling for parties to work together to resolve questions of process so that the real debate about different visions for Scotland can begin in earnest. (1)

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“The Scottish Government should show willing, by accepting that the Electoral Commission is the right body to oversee the referendum, just as it does elections in Scotland. Similarly, the UK Government should accept that other aspects, like whether 16 and 17 year olds should be able to vote, must be decided by the Scottish Parliament.

“By making these concessions, both sides will find that their aspirations for a fair, legal and decisive referendum can be achieved all the quicker, and we can move on to the crucial choices we face about the kind of society we want Scotland to become.”

Notes

1. The amendment put forward in Patrick Harvie’s name (not selected for debate) can be read here.