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…
Councils must have powers on non-domestic rates
Today, I have published a consultation that that will help inform the Scottish Greens’ scrutiny of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill This Bill is the first ever primary legislation in the history of devolution dealing with the non-domestic rating system…