Johnstone and Harvie to share Green leadership duties at Holyrood

The responsibility for leading the Scottish Greens at Holyrood will now be shared by two of the party’s MSPs.

Patrick Harvie is to be joined in the role by Lothian MSP Alison Johnstone.

The decision to name the pair as co-leaders of the parliamentary group follows a meeting of the party’s national council, which approved the move.

The party said Ms Johnstone and Mr Harvie will share leadership responsibilities at Holyrood, such as speaking at First Minister’s Questions, which Ms Johnstone will do for the first time on Thursday.

She said: “I’m pleased to have this opportunity to share the parliamentary leadership role with Patrick.

“The Green MSPs have continually punched above our weight, leading the change in Scotland, and I am sure we will continue to do so in the years ahead.

“Greens have gender-balanced leadership roles throughout the party and I am pleased that this will now be the case in Parliament too.”

Maggie Chapman will remain a co-convener of the party’s national council.

Mr Harvie, a Glasgow MSP, said: “I’m delighted that the party has agreed that Alison and I can share the role of parliamentary leader.

“Alison has done fantastic work in Parliament, from winning progressive changes to Scottish social security legislation to her role as a powerful advocate for animal welfare.

“She’ll be a great parliamentary co-leader and we’ll be working closely together to make sure the Greens keep leading the change in Scotland.”