Gillian Mackay - Scottish Greens

It is deeply wrong that Scotland cannot decide for itself whether to hold a referendum on its future. Decisions about Scotland should be made by the people who live here, not imposed by Westminster politicians.

If we want to improve the mental and physical health of the nation, we must invest in local facilities. Venues like the Aquatec in Motherwell are not just important for fitness but for community cohesion. This facility has been a vital part of the community for decades.

Sport should be about the joy in taking part in physical activity, not about huge profits or industries which harm our health. It is disappointing, therefore, that two of the partners involved in the Commonwealth Games are Coca Cola & Jubel Beer. @shaapalcohol.bsky.social @alcoholfocus.bsky.social

Far too many fans are being priced out of football. That’s why the @scottishgreens.org want to work with Scottish Premier League clubs to introduce a price cap of £25 for away fans. I’m calling on MSPs from every party to back a price cap and work with clubs to make football more affordable.

A year ago today we banned disposable vapes! 🥳 Disposable vapes are not only harmful to health, but many of them end up littering our streets, beaches and green spaces. Credit to all the campaigners like who worked relentlessly to make this a reality. But we still have more work to do!

Too many people feel trapped in a system where life revolves around work. A 4 day week, without loss of pay, would transform how we work, helping people spend more time with their friends and families. I asked the First Minister if he would commit to expanding the 4 day week in the public sector.

Unionist Bingo! 🇬🇧🖊️ The unionist parties are in severe need of new patter as well as credible arguments. Decisions about Scotland should be made by the people who live here, not imposed by Westminster politicians.

Scotland has spoken, returning clear pro-independence majority to Holyrood, and unionist parties must respect that!

As the only woman leader in the Scottish Parliament I can understand why women are reluctant to stand for office. I’d love to see more women in politics and all parties need to do more to make this possible!

It is a privilege and honour to return to parliament for a second term. I am grateful to everyone who has put their trust in me and supported our vision for a fairer, greener Scotland. Every day I will be a strong voice for our planet, for equality and for an alternative to a broken status quo.

A record result of Scottish Greens MSPs 💚 Only possible thanks to the thousands of dedicated activists who delivered our message of hope on the doorsteps. Now it’s time to deliver!

18 Green MSPs? 📈 On track for a record result, we need you to Scottish Greens! 💚

More flight simulator, less of Trump’s troops in Scotland! Children are dying and they are being bombed by planes refuelled in a chain that leads directly back to Prestwick. The Scottish Government must block US forces from using Prestwick airport!

Tax wealth to properly fund public services. Vote Scottish Greens on Thursday! ✅💚

There is no climate justice without social justice! 💚🌍 You can catch my full chat with Grado here: youtu.be/hdHMCZvcoRo?...

Who would you have headline your own music festival? @alans-bauer.bsky.social rounding off the leaders interviews with the important questions! 🤘🏼

I had great fun talking to Grado for his party leader series ahead of the election on 7th May! 💚 Full interview available here: youtu.be/hdHMCZvcoRo?...

I am honoured to be the first Green leader to address the @scottishtuc.bsky.social Congress. Let's demand better for Scotland and for working-class people! 💚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Children shouldn't have their nursery funding decided on council boundaries. That’s not fair! We will work with parents to make sure they have the funding that they need based on their circumstances, not a postcode lottery.

Aw, cute! @ross-greer.bsky.social A Green majority government… 👀😀 Let’s demand better. Vote Scottish Greens on May 7th! 💚

New oil and gas fields would be devastating for our climate while doing nothing to lower household bills! 🔥 Last night I joined the panel for BBC’s Any Questions in Edinburgh. You can listen to the full debate here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Sport plays a vital role in improving the health and well-being of communities. The closure of Bo’ness Recreational Centre and the Aquatec in Motherwell has left locals without access to vital services. We must ensure that sports and cultural venues remain open, accessible and affordable for all!

Support your local coffee shop ☕️ Have you tried Scran + Roadie in Glasgow? The food is great and the people are too. We need to do more to support local businesses and make sure that the big corporations are paying their fair share!

I’ve been reflecting on all of the wins, both personal and political, of the last 5 years. I’m extremely proud of what I’ve achieved but I know there’s so much more to do for communities across Scotland. On May 7th, vote @scottishgreens.org 💚

It's unprecedented that two former First Minister's are standing down at the same time. I'm glad they both took my jokes in good humour! 😀 @nicolasturgeon.bsky.social @humzayousaf.bsky.social

Buildings that have stood for generations are an integral part of Glasgow’s heritage and identity. There has also been a devastating impact on small businesses. Throughout this parliamentary session I have campaigned for stronger regulation and a proper licensing system for vape retailers.

The First Minister must block US forces from using Prestwick airport. Investigations have confirmed that the airport has been visited by US military refuelling jets. Experts say it is proof of our complicity in a war which has killed over 1,300 people in Iran - including more than 200 children.

Vape shops need to be licensed and better controlled. This #NoSmokingDay I’m calling for more action to tackle vaping. @scottishgreens.org have been clear when it comes to vapes. The Scottish Government must introduce a robust licensing scheme!

Today is International Women’s Day. We need more women in politics but it’s not always easy and we need to do more!

Football is for the fans! ⚽️ We need to make sure football fans voices are represented at national and club level. I was delighted to host a summit with fans organisations from across Scotland to discuss how we make football fairer for all.

The childcare system is broken. Properly funded childcare should not be a luxury! The @scottishgreens.org want to see money kept in the pockets of parents across Scotland. That is why we are pledging to make childcare more accessible and affordable sooner for families.

Investment in grassroots sport will lead to long-term benefits for our communities. We must support our local football and sports clubs and address barriers to participation. It was a pleasure to visit @strochsfc.bsky.social in Glasgow with @anthonycarroll.bsky.social 💚

GREENS BEAT REFORM! 💚 A huge well done to Hannah Spencer and our friends in the @greenparty.org.uk Hannah has just shown Scotland that the best way to keep Reform out is by voting Green. @zackpolanski.bsky.social 👏🏻

Football is meant to be for everybody but all over the country working-class fans are being priced out. What I’d like to see from colleagues across Parliament is a commitment to see the best in football supporters, to value their contribution, and support them to grow our game.

Today we recognise 4 years of Ukrainians bravely resisting Russia's illegal and immoral aggression. Scotland and Europe must continue to stand by Ukraine.

Good luck to Hannah Spencer and our friends in the @greenparty.org.uk ahead of tomorrows vote. This election is about hope versus hate. Greens versus Reform. If people want to keep Reform out, then they need to vote Green on the 26th February. @zackpolanski.bsky.social

Scotland boasts some of the most loyal supporters anywhere in Europe, but there is a concern that fans feel they are taken for granted. This week I will lead a debate that recognises the contribution that clubs and supporters make to society and calling for more democracy in Scottish football.

🚫 Trump’s military out of Scotland! Last week @scottishgreens.org led a debate to evict Trump’s troops from Scottish Government airports, including Prestwick, which has been used as a de facto US military base for years. Every other party voted to keep them. Greens voted to give them the boot!

❌Ban Trump’s army from our airports ❌ Send the President a message that Scotland will not be complicit in threats to our friends and neighbours. Prestwick Airport is not a private military base. We must act to ensure our infrastructure is not used to boost Trump or his agenda! @scottishgreens.org

Jim Ratcliffe’s bizarre intervention on the state of the UK is a shining example of the same old story. It is awful but unsurprising to hear another super-rich man blaming immigrants for the problems caused by billionaires.

There is power in a union! ✊🏼 This week the @scottishgreens.org and @scottishtuc.bsky.social hosted a roundtable with trade unions from across Scotland. Workers rights must be at the core of everything we do.

In September the Scottish Parliament passed a @scottishgreens.org motion calling for a boycott of Israel. But this week it was revealed that no briefing notes were prepared for ministers following the vote. Today I asked the First Minister when we will see action.

This is the story of how Scotland passed Safe Access Zones, and why they matter. They’re not designed to attack anyone’s right to protest, but instead aim to protect vulnerable patients. Healthcare should come without harassment. Scotland chose safety and dignity. And we’re not going back! 💚