Rising private rents across Scotland reveal the failure of the SNP’s flagship rent pressure zones policy and the need for proper rent controls, Scottish Greens housing spokesperson Andy Wightman has said. New stats published by the Scottish Government show that…
Pentland Hills Regional Park: outdoor infrastructure survey
In September 2020, the Scottish Parliament held a debate on ‘dirty camping’. Many MSPs spoke out against the poor behaviour their constituents had witnessed over the summer. This behaviour was caused not only by a lack of understanding about how…
Defamation and the Serious Harm test
Speech in Stage One debate (to see subtitles, switch them on in icon below vide) 9 minute read. The Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Bill was debated at Stage One in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. I was given 3…
Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (Tolerable Standard) (Extension of Criteria) Order 2019
Reading time: 5 minutes The Scottish Parliament is being asked to delay the implementation of regulations on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This follows an upswell in public concern over ‘new rules’ about fire alarms in privately owned homes. But…
Speech to SGP Autumn Conference 2020
Text of a 15 minute speech Good afternoon friends. I am delighted to be with you this morning at our autumn conference. As we prepare for a Scottish election next year and local elections the year after, green politics has…
Short-term lets: what next?
10 minute read The problems caused by the rampant expansion of short-term letting in Edinburgh are by now well known. Since launching my #HomesFirst campaign in November 2017, I have been arguing for proper regulation of this activity. During this…
Reforming Scotland’s outdoor economy
Last Wednesday I spoke in a debate on ‘dirty camping’. Over the summer, we have seen some careless, reckless, and anti-social behaviour by people visiting scenic areas of Scotland. This is a matter of great concern to many people, especially…
European Charter of local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
In May 2020, I introduced the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. The Local Government and Communities Committee is currently consulting on the Bill as part of the Stage One scrutiny process.
Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill – housing amendments
This is a brief blog to explain the background to the rented housing amendments I lodged at Stage 2 of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill on Tuesday 19 May and those I intend to lodge at Stage 3 to be…
Stop Colin Brown being evicted
Over the past few months I have been assisting a constituent to resist a Notice to Quit served on him to evict him from his home. I have set a Crowdfunder up to raise funds to pursue a legal case…