Greens vow to stand up to Trump and the Tories

The Scottish Greens used today (7 June), the final day of General Election campaigning, to knock on as many doors as possible, including the US Consulate in Edinburgh, where two Green candidates delivered a letter outlining the party’s objections to recent actions by Donald Trump.

The letter, signed by the party’s co-convener Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, underlined the Greens’ disapproval with Donald Trump’s decision to remove the United States from the Paris climate agreement and the president’s recent opportunistic political attacks on London mayor, Sadiq Khan on social media.

Patrick Harvie, Green candidate in Glasgow North, said:

“By voting for Green candidates and sending Scottish Green MPs to Westminster, people in Scotland will be sending the loudest message possible to the UK government and to Donald Trump that we will stand up to any attempt to normalise climate denial.

“Whether it’s at Westminster, or at Holyrood, Greens message to Trump is clear: If you continue to act in defiance of our common security, any future visit you make to Scotland will undoubtedly be met by vigorous protests.

“It is deeply regrettable that Trump has also chosen to exploit a murderous terrorist attack in London to make unwarranted criticisms of the city’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan. His comments over recent days, at a time when London is coming to terms with this horrific incident, have caused great offence both here and in the US.”

Harvie added:

“Scotland needs a Green voice at Westminster. During the next parliament, a huge number of the social and environmental protections which have been achieved within the European Union will be transferred to the UK, where many Tories are openly calling for a bonfire of regulations.

“Greens led the way in achieving much of what’s now at risk, from capping bankers’ bonuses to controlling toxic chemicals. We need a Green voice to stand up for these protections.”

Lorna Slater, Green candidate in Edinburgh North and Leith, said:

“Scotland now has the best chance it has ever had to elect its first Green MP. That’s a really exciting prospect because in Brighton, Caroline Lucas has been doing a tremendous job of not only standing up for her constituents, but also championing the progressive movement across the entire country.

“We also need a Green voice to oppose the UK government’s cuts agenda and its failure to invest in the new, sustainable economic future we need. We have a plan to create over 200,000 high quality jobs in Scotland and we are making the case no other party is for the sustainable, fair and decent society we know this country can become.”