The urgency of tackling the climate emergency must not be crowded out by Brexit in the looming Westminster election. That is the message from Edinburgh Greens as the party announces its plans to contest seats across Edinburgh in the election on 12 December.
The party will contest all five seats in the capital with a central focus on a Scottish Green New Deal: tackling climate change, creating jobs and transforming the economy.
Councillors Claire Miller in Edinburgh East and Steve Burgess in Edinburgh North and Leith are among the candidates with Kate Nevens (South), Ben Parker (South West) and Elaine Gunn (West) making up the slate.
The Greens co-convenor Kate Nevens said: “The election will be dominated by the chaos of Brexit, of course and, linked to that the position of Scotland within the UK and the EU. As a party which has been 100% “Remain” from day one our position is crystal clear. A Green vote is a vote for Scotland to stay within the family of European nations.
“However, we know there are thousands of voters who share our despair about the way that Brexit is crowding out the urgency of tackling the climate emergency. Our children will be astonished and betrayed if we don’t put that right”.
Ben Parker added: “That is why a Green vote is so much more than a vote against Brexit. It is a vote for a Scottish Green New Deal, providing thousands of new jobs, transforming the economy and restoring our country for people and nature.
“It is a vote to make Scotland a welcoming country for everyone. And is a vote to revolutionise the way that communities control what happens in their area.
“More than ever before we can see that Westminster politics is hopelessly broken. It is time to look beyond the failed parties which have brought us to this point and for people to vote for what they believe in.”
The Green candidates are:
Claire Miller: Edinburgh East
Claire has served as Green councillor for Edinburgh City Centre ward since 2017, working hard for the people in her ward and across the city. Claire has a strong record of defending the rights of EU citizens in Scotland and speak up in favour of immigration.
Steve Burgess – Edinburgh North and Leith
Steve has been Green councillor for Southside/Newington ward since 2007. He has extensive experience in leading on Green issues within the Council, in particular on the Climate Emergency. The UK Government’s woeful response to the Climate Emergency is top of Steve’s agenda.
Kate Nevens – Edinburgh South
Kate is Co-convenor of the Edinburgh Greens and the party’s International Committee. She is an experienced campaigner and public speaker, working as a facilitator for charities and community organisations in Scotland and globally; and is keen to engage in conversations about arms manufacturing and export and creating safe passages for asylum seekers.
Ben Parker – Edinburgh South West
Current Co-convenor of Edinburgh Greens, Ben has a strong track record of campaigning on Green issues, from fighting climate change, resisting Brexit and supporting trans / non-binary rights. He currently works as a Volunteer Coordinator for a Scotland-wide disability housing charity and shop manager for a Fairtrade shop.
Elaine Gunn – Edinburgh West
Elaine’s career path has been wide and varied, taking in both the public and private sectors in senior project management and marketing / communications roles. Communicating the radical and unique Green message in voter-friendly language is Elaine’s particular strength.
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