One of the Scottish Green Party’s newly elected MSPs has said the party is no longer a “wasted vote” after it won its first two constituency seats.
Lorna Slater’s win in Edinburgh Central, where she finished ahead of SNP minister Angus Robertson, meant she became the first Green to win a Holyrood constituency rather than a regional list seat.
Holly Bruce also won Glasgow Southside for the Greens, a seat formerly held by ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Ms Bruce was battling equalities minister Kaukab Stewart in the constituency.
The Scottish Greens are hopeful of winning their largest group of MSPs, with the full results of regional ballots expected on Friday evening.
Speaking to journalists after the result in Edinburgh, Ms Slater said: “This is a big step for the Scottish Green Party, credit to the hard work of everybody here.
“And to decades of work by our MSPs and councillors. Today is a fantastic day.”
She was also asked about her SNP opponent’s meeting with an Israeli ambassador and whether this made a difference in the race.
Ms Slater said: “Edinburgh Central does have a young student population and of course the issue of Palestine is important to a lot of people.
“Who we talk to and what we say does matter. I think that the Greens’ solidarity with Palestine has made a difference.”
Speaking to journalists after her result was announced, Ms Bruce said: “I’m delighted for Lorna, she won by a landslide, and I think it’s a big turning point that voting Green isn’t a wasted vote any more on the constituency ballot.
“We mean business.”
Speaking at the West of Scotland regional count in Renfrew, Ross Greer, one of the Scottish Greens’ two co-leaders, celebrated his party’s results.
He told the Press Association: “Those two constituency breakthroughs, they were incredible.”
He said he had feared that Glasgow Southside had “slipped away from us” before the seat ended up going their way “comfortably”.
Mr Greer said his party’s opposition to Reform UK had appealed to voters in this area.
Asked about any potential deals with the SNP, Mr Greer said he would be congratulating John Swinney on his win in Perthshire North, adding: “The Greens want to get our policies delivered.
“Clearly you can do more of that from government in opposition. But the Greens have proven we can deliver from both.”
The Greens’ other co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “This is a seismic result that will change our politics and change Scotland.
“I am grateful to everyone who has put their trust in us and supported our vision for a fairer, greener and independent future.
“Scotland has elected a record number of Green MSPs, and I couldn’t be prouder of our new team.”
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