Summer 2011 News from the Scottish Green Party Greenprint ISSN 2044-7949 (print) ISSN 2044-7957 (online) [email protected] www.scottishgreens.org.uk

Wednesday 11th, with the Westminster, this particular affirmation process. I worked piece of Osborne legislation for Robin Harper in Holyrood is unlikely to have been the for many years and that time biggest concern for many. has been invaluable but it We told voters that still feels a little bit different Greens believe it is possible being here as an MSP. to protect public services, Now, six weeks into the build the inclusive, good new Parliament, Patrick society in which people Harvie, my fellow Green MSP, in Scotland want to live, and I are working hard on and invest in the skills and our election commitments infrastructure we need to of making Scotland both move away from the short- greener and fairer. term unsustainable model We expect to have an that has gone before. Patrick even harder job than Robin and I will be doing all we can and Patrick faced during to represent not only the the last four years but we people who voted for us in know that in those years our regions, but the 87 060 the Scottish Green Party people across Scotland who has increased in members voted Green because they and in strength. We are in a believe the same things. good position relative to the More then ever before parties that were decimated though, members of the by the seismic shift to Scottish Green Party must the SNP and we’re better also use their day to day prepared for government activism to help represent than some of our new SNP those Green voters and colleagues, who were as to attract new ones. We surprised by their success can’t afford to wait. We as Labour and the Liberal must pursue our manifesto Democrats were by their commitments with as much defeats. However, the SNP passion as we promoted THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IS THE BEST CHECK ON A MAJORITY GOVERNMENT them in the run up to the IN POWER election. Every one of us has a role to play in helping Britian’s first Green parliamentarian and its newest Green has a majority in Parliament, parliamentarian, Robin Harper and Johnstone MSP therefore the strongest keep the new government opposition to them will accountable to the people of congratulations over the Early on Friday 6th be the voice of the public, Scotland. And by presenting May, we found out that weekend, and I’m still trying between elections, as well a strong Green alternative Lothian had not only to get round everyone who as in next year’s council on doorsteps, in community helped with the campaign elections. groups, and in local media, voted to keep a Green to say a heartfelt thank you! in the council elections, MSP, but that our share The SNP is already Meanwhile, with impressive losing some of its election European elections and of the Lothian vote was efficiency, my ‘new MSP’ glow with news of the First Westminster elections, slightly up on 2007. pack arrived on the Minister’s proposals to limit together we will all make Saturday. On Monday I was North Sea oil and gas tax Scotland a greener and fairer I was overwhelmed by in Parliament and my new hikes. For the voters who place. AJ messages of support and job began officially on chose SNP to stand up to

Contents: Election results, the figuers, p2 Our campaigns around the regions, p3-4 Mobilising members, p4 Root and branch news, p5 Green election news from around the globe, p6 Canvassing workshop, p6 Viewpoint - The traffic lights of political change, p7 Reflections from the campaign trail, p8 Message from the editor

First things first: massive congratulations to Alison Holyrood 2011 Johnstone and Patrick Harvie and the Edinburgh and Glasgow teams. For the rest of us, not doing as badly as most other Scottish parties is small consolation but already thoughts have turned election results to next year’s council elections. Such is the mix of emotions reflected in this issue’s collection of Scottish Greens didn’t compete in the constituency contests but we articles. did stand candidates in all eight regional contests. It’s great to have our new MSP on the cover and to read about her plans for Holyrood. Next, we have The figures shown here are taken from the heartache of missing out by a small margin http://www.betternation.org/sp where you can find results for all in the Highlands and Islands. Martin Ford is stoic parties and constituencies. after an impressive campaign that increased the Green vote by about a fifth in the First Minister’s home patch. Kirsten Robb thanks Central Scotland’s Region votes % +/- % seats activists and supporters and ends on the note of “onwards and upwards”. And so we turn a corner. We have our first reader-commissioned article Central Scotland 5,634 2.4% -0.1% 0 on how to mobilise members when you’re a very small local group. Our round up of news from the Glasgow 12,454 6% +0.8% 1 branches shows that any post-election doldrums are well and truly over and there’s good news Highlands 9,076 5.1% +0.4% 0 from England, Canada and Germany if any more inspiration is required. So we dust ourselves off & Islands and resolve to build up our strong base of Green councillors. To help new members swing into Lothian 21,505 7.6% +0.5% 1 action, there’s a short ‘how to’ on canvassing. And while we head out to knock on doors and scribble Mid-Scotland 10,914 4.2% +0.5% 0 on clipboards we’ll probably be wondering what this & Fife rapidly changing new Scotland means for Scottish Greens. Justin Kenrick gives us many questions to North East 10,407 3.9% +0.7% 0 consider and suggests answers that are bound to cause some lively debate. At the end of this journey, Scotland Peter McColl sends us off on a lighter note. If you’re a member of the Scottish Green Party, in South 8,656 3.1% -0.3% 0 the members’ supplement you’ll see a second article Scotland from Alison on the secrets of the Edinburgh teams’ success. West 8,414 3.0% +/-0% 0 Oh, and remember: book early for our October Scotland conference – we’ve lots to talk about!

Varihi Scott Total 87,060 4.3% +0.33% 2

Think you could make these pages look better? I hope so!

Greenprint is looking for a new designer. We have skimpy Always branding guidelines and an eclectic readership so if you We need contributors and lots of ‘em. If there’s an article like creative freedom and quick turnarounds, keep reading. you’d love to see in these pages, write it and send it in or It’s a volunteer position for a member of the party and tell us and we’ll try to find someone to write it for you. If we produce four issues per year. If you’re still interested, you have an idea but you’re not sure if it’s article-shaped, contact [email protected] get in touch and we’ll help you wrestle it onto the page. If you’re wondering why there’s never any mention of what More you’re doing in your area, tell us immediately and it will First we were two, then one. To allow for holidays and be in the next issue. A few weeks before each issue comes other unforeseen events, we’d like to back up our editor out, we post a call for contributions on a few party mailing and designer team with a few more people who have great lists. If you don’t do mailing lists, consider this a permanent words and pictures skills. If you’re not looking for a serious invitation. Send all contributions, ideas or feedback to commitment but would be willing to help out occasionally, [email protected] VS contact [email protected]

2 Greenprint June 2011 Holyrood 2011

Ten pm on May 5th. As Myra Carus, convenor of the Highlands and Islands Greens, and I stood waiting for the ballot boxes to open, we agreed that we’d run our best ever campaign and that we couldn’t have done more with the resources available to us. By Eleanor Scott The Highlands and Islands

Seventeen hours later we had to hold firmly on to that thought, as the results were announced and our 9,076 votes Donnie, Patrick, Eleanor, press photographer and the Soay lamb meant we’d missed out on getting an MSP elected by just 379 votes. Candidates in other parts of the country campaign manager, (something we’ve As usual we had a small band of have noted the large numbers of vowed never to land anyone with again). activists – more than previously but still hustings this time; I myself did sixteen And lessons learned: I think there a small band – covering a huge area and regional ones and one national. I are some practical local ones but also as usual they worked their socks off. In travelled to Tongue on the north coast, an overall lesson in realism. In the 1999 areas where we have active members, as far west as Tarbert on Harris, and election, one Green was elected; in we had lots of placards and the week of down to Campbeltown, which is further 2007, two Greens; in 2011, two Greens. poll cards (an excellent innovation) got south than Edinburgh. Fabio Villani did a The aberration was 2003 when there delivered, but of course in many areas couple which helped but as the face on were seven of us elected, and we’ve we don’t have people and that didn’t the freepost leaflet, I felt that I should come to think that that is the result we happen. do them if possible. can reasonably expect. But the 2003 There was a lot of pressure on the top So, things that were good: our election looks increasingly like an odd candidate this time – at least I felt it! I intrepid placarders; the week of poll one, with not only seven Greens but six think partly that was due to the decision cards and those who delivered them; SSP, three independents and a Senior – about which I still have reservations Patrick and Robin’s visits; Donnie Citizen Party MSP. We have not seen – to feature the top candidate so Macleod providing a Soay lamb for a parliament like that before or since. prominently on the campaign materials. Patrick to hold (even if a tabloid Unfortunately the 2003 experience In Highlands and Islands there are described it later as a goat); Ed Tyler’s led us to think that we can and should constituencies where one of the other conducted tour of Tarbert, Argyll; Niall achieve a crop of MSPs across Scotland candidates has arguably a higher profile Shaw driving me and Andy Wightman without having a corresponding crop so focusing me on all materials may not from Tarbert, Harris to Stornoway after a of councillors. We can’t. So for me the have helped us. Elaine Morrison, who hustings and putting the world to rights; big lesson is that next year’s council has built up a good profile in Argyll, was canvassing in Findhorn with Fabio; elections are crucial – not just in distracted from campaigning by the the support of H&I activists, fellow themselves, but for us to have any arrival of son Frazey in mid-campaign candidates and in particular Myra, who chance of a breakthrough in 2016. ES but still did a lot! combined the role of election agent and

I think we are all entitled to feel proud of our campaign and disappointed at the result. By Martin Ford North East Scotland a north-east regional list position - despite winning every Martin with Michael Forbes at Menie individual constituency in the region. In the face of an overwhelming nationalist tide we held our While nothing is ever perfect, I believe we ran about as own. Our vote in the north-east went up by about a fifth, from good and intensive a campaign as was practicable with the 3.2 per cent in 2003 to 3.9 per cent this year. 10,407 people resources we had. Our literature was excellent, our platform voted for us. The increase in the Green vote in the north- clear. There was a lot of interest in what we had to say and east was exceeded only by the increase for Patrick Harvie in good will towards us. The campaign has made us stronger Glasgow. All the other main parties lost votes to the SNP - but organisationally and in the eyes of many amongst the public. we didn’t. But the SNP vote share was so huge they got It has made it more likely we will win future elections. MF June 2011 Greenprint 3 Holyrood 2011 By request Big geographies and Central mobilising Scotland members

Kirsten Robb A-board on George St., Oban

A big thanks to the Central Scotland team and In the sub-branch of way possible. Another the wider staff and party for their phenomenal Argyll and Bute we member took on the organisation of a Green Fair practical and personal support during the have three members in Dunoon last November and Holyrood campaign. on Mull, two on Islay, it was an astounding success. By Kirsten Robb one on Tiree and It raised our profile and it raised funds. It may not be eighteen spread across very Green to get in the car We developed our team and organisational skills, more the mainland between alone and drive 200 miles, members became activists and new people joined. It Tighnabruaich and but you have to weigh up the will always be a challenge for a small team to cover Appin, a distance of 90 benefits of supporting another a large region but where we focussed our efforts on member. target to win wards, we saw an increase in the vote. miles or a two and a We plan our meetings to This bodes well for next year’s council elections, but it half hour drive. coincide with events such as also has lessons for regions with fewer members than street stalls to avoid multiple By Elaine Morrison some. meet ups. This summer I will If we are to win council seats next year and more be travelling to meet clusters MSPs in future, branches and activists must focus our It doesn’t make for easy of members in Mull, Islay, few resources on working house to house in wards: organising. Much of our Cowal and Oban, as well as people need to know about us. When they do I’m sure communication is by email Mid Argyll/North Kintyre. If we will get at least one of their votes! And as we recruit but even then only limited anyone else can manage to more activists we can cover more wards. The challenge numbers participate – maybe come with me great, but if in some areas is to find and support that candidate to seven regularly. not, at least members get a bite the bullet and commit to leading ward teams over With the need for ferries, local meeting of sorts. the next year. Inspired by Ian Baxter’s timely canvassing diesel and overnight Our experience tells me workshop, Lanarkshire now has a plan to run a similar accommodation, it is that you have to accept training event and canvas every voter in our East simply too if a handful of willing limitations and Kilbride target ward over the next year. The best way to difficult or do what you can. start canvassing is just to do it and next year’s elections expensive members take on a task, If you can be seen give us the focus we need to get on with the job. for us all to others will support them to be active But it’s not all door knocking. We’ve organised a trip get together, so how do we in communities it will attract to our local brewery on September 3rd, plan to visit our manage to campaign? The more members and with local recycling plant and will continue doing car boot short answer is that a few of more members you can do sales over the summer to top up the funds. us do everything, the rest do more. We aren’t at that stage Onwards and upwards! KR what they can locally - even if yet in Argyll and Bute, but as it’s just putting up a poster, it we head towards the council is something and it matters. elections next spring, it is During the Holyrood an opportunity to focus our campaign, one member limited resources on gaining in Oban distributed all the visibility in key communities materials we could post to and gaining more members him and put up placards and in the process. There is no By request A-boards at polling places. shortcut, only hard work, There is no doubt that it but it will pay off. And always In the call for contributions to this issue we asked if brought in votes. Others did remember to say thank you there were any topics readers would like us to cover. similar in their communities. to the stalwarts who carry on, We received two requests: one for how to set up a Outwith election times, because it matters. EM local group and what a small group can do, and one for there is no denying that it is campaigning in rural areas, where going door-to-door more challenging to motivate is not practical. We hope the next article helps with the and mobilise, but all it needs is first request.. a handful of willing members to take on a task and the rest Keep the suggestions coming! will support them in whatever

4 Greenprint June 2011 Roots and branches

Dunbartonshire lives! After a dormant period Conference 2011 for the local branch, the By Debra Storr election this year has This year’s conference and AGM are in shaken us back into life. Aberdeen on 29th and 30th October. By Ross Greer After a busy year in the run up to the Holyrood elections and while we are preparing for the council elections in 2012, it is worth taking time to meet and learn from other Greens from Dunbartonshire across Scotland and participate in our on-going policy making.

- up and running Early booking is at reduced rates. If you are a member, you will receive forms in the post, if not a member, keep an eye on the Scottish Green Party website. DS With a wee membership boost we best support in the past and in fitting now have ourselves a new convenor with our target to win strategy (soon in Hasan Nowarah, a vice convenor to be reviewed and kick-started), in myself, a treasurer in Charlie this is where I feel our potential lies Aberdeen by-election McGraw and the ability to function for both membership and election Good luck to Richard Brian, who is as a branch once more. We would success. standing for the Greens in the Aberdeen like to wish our previous convenor, As I write this, our first post- by-election for the Airyhall/Broomhill/ David Doherty well in Oban and thank election meeting is pencilled in but Garthdee ward. Election day: June 23rd. him for his work for Dunbartonshire yet to take place so of course our branch over the years. There is a lot plans could be set to change but to do with both new members and we one thing that will not lose priority is Long walk for fair trade need funds imminently but the local branch finances. Fundraising outwith For the first eleven days of June, Ian profile we built during the Holyrood election time has not taken place for Baxter was walking from Glasgow campaign will serve us well as we a while here but we are excited at the to Inverness to raise money for The strive towards making our first gains prospect of getting right back into Scottish Fair Trade Forum so that it can in the local authorities next year. it with quite a few event ideas being do more to promote fair trade in local It all works hand in hand, as knocked around. Keep a look out on areas. fundraising events will – fingers the Dunbartonshire Greens website crossed – bring in new members as (dunbartonshiregreens.org). As soon Local currency for Edinburgh well as funds and in turn these new as I figure out how to work it I’ll be Edinburgh Councillor Steve Burgess’s members can help us build our local keeping it updated with all our local recommendation for a study on the profile, combining to allow us to fight activity. practicability of an Edinburgh pound a bigger campaign than ever next The Scottish Green Party has has been unanimously approved by year. huge potential in Dunbartonshire to the council’s Economic Development Membership has been a problem build a strong local party and lead Committee. with Dunbarton in the past: we have on to electoral success. We have a just scraped by the quorum for a few great team here to do that and I am Save the Egyptian Halls meetings and this is something that confident that the next few years Glasgow Greens are striving to protect we need to address immediately. A will bring some great successes the city’s Grade A listed Egyptian functioning branch relies on a strong to the party so if you know any Halls, on Union Street. Councillor membership and whilst our current Green minded individuals in the Nina Baker has objected to demolition group is a fantastic bunch, we are Dunbartonshire area, pass them a plans and MSP Patrick Harvie, has but a few and some extra bodies sure membership form or tell them to get lodged a motion calling on the Scottish would help. Bearsden and Milngavie in contact with a growing and Parliament to protect the property, are areas where we have seen our re-animated local branch! RG which is regarded as the finest example of the work of architect Alexander Thomson.

Parks for people March of Menie Lanarkshire Greens are opposing South Greens from across Scotland Lanarkshire Council’s plans to close were among the walkers and 118 local playparks. Greens argue speakers at the March of Menie that rather than neglect the parks on June 5th. The event was a for years and then sell them off, the show of support for residents council should give communities the neighbouring the Trump opportunity to maintain and develop golf development. A private the areas, as has worked well with the security company monitored local Hillock Park. proceedings. VS June 2011 Greenprint 5 Roots and branches Skill sharing Continuing crackdowns on peaceful Bonnyrigg canvassing protesters Alasdair Thompson of Bright Green was arrested on May 15th for taking part in a peaceful protest workshop by Edinburgh Uncut against tax avoidance by retail tycoon, Philip Green. Protesters moved their By Varihi Scott protest to outside St Leonard’s police station, where Alasdair was being held. He was released later that day. In March, fellow Bright Green, Adam Ramsay On a grey Saturday in May about a dozen of us crowded around Ian was one of several UK Uncut protesters held Baxter’s dining table for a tightly packed workshop on canvassing. overnight for a protest at London’s Jim Jepps explained how each step of the process is linked to our core political activities and Ian gave us local examples from his tireless Fortnum & Mason. VS work in Midlothian, before sending us out to practice on surrounding streets. Here are some highlights:

Other Green Election News Objective The main objective of canvassing is to collect data; building a candidate’s profile is secondary English local elections Collect data on individual voting intentions and the issues that Greens stood in 205 out of the 280 local elections. concern voters 130 Green councillors were elected to 43 councils, an increase of 14 councillors and 1 council. Brighton Who and when and Hove City made Greens the majority party on People who didn’t vote in the Holyrood elections are unlikely to their council, while two Green councillors hold the vote in the council elections balance of power on Reading Council. Postal voters are more likely to use their vote The electoral register will tell you which addresses have Welsh Assembly elections registered voters Wales Green Party just missed out on securing a How to canvass first seat in the Welsh Assembly but achieved their best Assembly election results so far. Use canvassing between elections to find out what people want to talk about Northern Ireland Assembly elections Use short surveys in the run up to elections to cover an area quickly Northern Ireland’s first Green MLA retired from the In remote areas use phone canvassing Assembly and the party’s youngest leader, Steven Wear a party rosette so that people can quickly identify who Agnew, retained the North Down seat for the Green you are Party of Northern Ireland. Avoid leading questions and discussing your priorities; you need to find out their priorities Green Lord Mayor Write down only what’s relevant, e.g., lack of bins for dog waste Elise Benjamin became Oxford’s first Green yes; individual dog’s medical history, no Lord Mayor on 19th May. Elise has been a Green If someone is politely keeping you chatting about nothing councillor for ten years, was Sheriff of Oxford from relevant they could well be an activist from another party 2009 to 2010 and was deputy Lord Mayor three If you’re leaving a short survey, include the time you’ll return to years ago. collect it Green first for Canada Following through Find out how you can tackle the issues that concern people; if On May 2nd, Elizabeth May, leader of the Green you want to be their councillor, do what the best councillors do Party of Canada, became Canada’s first Green MP. and help people improve their communities Elizabeth represents the Saanich-Gulf Islands in Write ward newsletters showing how you are addressing the British Columbia. issues that have been raised by the people you’ve canvassed Use targeted mail that reflects what you’ve collected on voting Green victories in Germany intentions A Greens-led alliance with Social Democrats won Get someone from outside the party to proofread your letters the German state of Baden-Württemberg in March’s and newsletters for party jargon state assembly elections. The victory followed When you find Green supporters, ask them to get involved and Germany’s biggest ever protests against nuclear show their support power and displaced the Christian Democrats, who Always carry spare membership forms and information about had ruled the state since 1953. the party and your local branch

At the end of May, Germany became the biggest The next stage industrial power to announce plans to give up nuclear energy. Environment Minister, Norbert By polling day you should have enough information to run a Rottgen, said that all reactors would be shut small polling station operation down for good by 2022. The previous German government, a coalition of Social Democrats and For more information, contact Jim Jepps or Ian Baxter. VS Greens, had made similar plans but these were scrapped last year by the current government. VS

6 Greenprint June 2011 Viewpoint The traffic lights of political change - Red >> Yellow >> Green! By Justin Kenrick

In Robin McAlpine’s superb analysis (1), this to addressing the democratic energies into speaking out as Green this election was about a much longer deficit? Party activists while I throw mine into term process in which: Transition here and with indigenous Culture Shift: Do we need to develop communities in Africa. Can people like “a broadly left-of-centre consensus a culture story that is ahead of the SNP me do our work in our communities in has interacted with a more specific but – in some senses – going in the a way that helps build electoral support left-focussed strand of the electorate, direction and beyond where they are for Green politics, rather than having to and this has generated continuing heading? We can’t wait for the SNP do the ground level party work we don’t change in Scottish politics which to fail. In fact we should expect and have time for? Can we show the links underlies the visible politics of hope that they succeed; not in terms between our actions and party policies parliament and party. There is of their road building and misguided and effectiveness? plenty to suggest that 2011 is part faith in corporations, but in terms of continuation, part acceleration of this persuading people that the closer to Supporting the Disenfranchised: In process.” home decisions are made the better: terms of knocking on doors, political that we can trust ourselves. Should media events, and internet mobilisation, So, people trusted Labour to be the we be building the story and space for do we need a broader movement that party that focused on the well-being people to see that deepening self- is not focusing on persuading people of all, and the party drifted from them determination for Scotland so that to vote Green, but is simply seeking to as (at Westminster) it took to power, to it becomes self-determination for persuade people to vote at all? Huge nuclear weapons, to war and seemed communities takes empowerment to swathes of people – especially the to be dazzled by the rich. Then people the next level? young, the poor, the marginalised – turned to the SNP, because it shared Alongside this, it may be counter- didn’t even bother to vote. They don’t their concerns about inequality in productive to define ourselves as anti- need anyone to speak for them, but education and health, because of its capitalist, or define ourselves as being can we make spaces for them to speak focus on renewables and renewing for higher taxation. We need to be for a out and reengage? It may seem as hope, and its opposition to nuclear healthy social economy which taxes for though this would be over-stretching weapons, nuclear energy and war. clear social purposes. We need to be for ourselves (and done the wrong way If this 2011 election is part of a an economy of trade and production, it would) but could it also be a way of broader process of dramatic and innovation and specialisation. But linking with a broader range of activists ongoing political and cultural change, this can’t be a reactive socialism that and mobilising an almost invisible then is there a way we can respond is forever focused on capitalism. constituency? to the political opportunities and Nor can it be ‘capitalism-lite’, which the ecological necessities through still maintains capitalism’s addiction Perhaps we need space to really clarify developing a movement that focuses to growth, and its inevitable boom and deepen our underlying story so less on party politics and more on and bust as financiers gamble and that it connects people’s everyday the need for transformative political cash in on the rise and fall of prices, experience with the deeper cultural change? Is there a need for those of psychopathically focused on the one story of how the system as a whole is us who are peripheral to the party, ‘rational’ goal of profit maximisation, changing and needs to change. JK and those outside but sympathetic and ignoring the devastating harm this to the party, to look at how we can causes to people and planet, and even help broaden and deepen support for to their relationship with their families Green politics, primarily and perhaps and themselves. paradoxically by not focusing on trying to build the party but by focusing on Community and Activist Inspiration: building a broader movement of which Probably all of us are heavily involved (1) Robin McAlpine, After the election… the party is a part? in community level work such as where next for Scottish Politics http:// Do we need an open meeting to look Transition Towns and/ or activist work brightgreenscotland.org/index. less at electoral strategy than at culture such as UK Uncut. In my community php/2011/05/after-the-election-where- shift strategy, and maybe connecting people like Peter McColl throw their next-for-scottish-politics/

At time of going to press, plans are underway to arrange a weekend for discussing these ideas and more. Keep an eye on the Scottish Green Party mailing lists for details. If you don’t subscribe to the mailing lists, your local branch will be able to let you know when a date and place have been confirmed. Contact Elaine Morrison of Argyll and Bute Greens for more information.

June 2011 Greenprint 7

And finally... | Membership| Membership and Donation and Donation Form Form Reflections Contact DetailsContact Details from the Title: Title: Name: Name: Address: Address: Campaign Trail Postcode: Postcode: Date of birth: Date of birth: By Peter McColl. Phone: Phone: Email: Email:

The first three years Join the ScottishJoin the Green Scottish Party Green Party v-2010-06-14 The highlight of any ScottishHave you previouslyHave you beenpreviously a member been? a member yes ? no yes no v-2010-06-14 political activist’s life is the four SubscriptionSubscription Rates (based Rates on gross (based annual on gross income) annual income) yearly jamboree that is the Please indicate your rate: £36 £20,001 – £30,000 Scottish Parliament election.Please indicate your rate: £36 £20,001 – £30,000 £ 5 Under 18 & full-time students £48 £30,001 – £40,000 In Edinburgh, our preparations £ 5 Under 18 & full-time students £48 £30,001 – £40,000 £12 Under £10,000 income £60 £40,001 – £50,000 for this year’s election started £12 Under £10,000 income £60 £40,001 – £50,000 in autumn 2007. We created £24 £10,001 £24 – £20,000£10,001 – £20,000 £72 Over £50,000£72 Over £50,000 a four year plan which, we Choose paymentChoose method: payment method: cash cheque cash cheque standing order standing (complete order form (complete below) form below) hoped, would win us back ourChoose mailingChoose format: mailing format: email paperemail essentialpaper documents essential documents only only 2 MSPs. Our really focused I would likeI towould be put like in to touch be put with in touchthe following with the SGP following Representative SGP Representative Groups: Groups: planning started with a couple of Women’s Network Women’s Network Young Greens Young Greens committee away-days in July last year. Declaration:Declaration: I accept and I acceptwill further and willthe furtheraims of thethe aimsScottish of the Green Scottish Party, Green and am Party, not and a am not a member of memberany other of political any other party political except party a Green except Party a Green abroad. Party abroad. Hustings zinger Signed: Signed: My campaign highlights included Donate to the Scottish Green Party some rather nice coverage inDonate to the Scottish Green Party the Herald diary column for my I wish to pay I wish by cheque to pay andby cheque enclose and a cheque enclose for: a cheque for: hustings performance at the £10 £25 £10 £50 £25 £100 £50 £250 £100 £500£250 Other:£500 £ Other: £ Law Society of Scotland. It was I wish to donate I wish £ to donate £ per month /peryear month by standing/year by order standing (complete order form (complete below) form. below). on the day that Greens polled Please keep Please me updated keep me with updated news ofwith campaigns news of campaignsand events. and events. ahead of Liberal Democrats for All donations above £500 a year must be from registered UK voters, so we need the contact the first time. One opponentAll wasdonations above £500 a year must be from registered UK voters, so we need the contact details of all donors and will return any donations that do not meet our legal obligations. outgoing Edinburgh South Liberaldetails of all donors and will return any donations that do not meet our legal obligations. Democrat MSP, Mike Pringle.Standing He StandingOrder Order was putting forward the central Liberal Democrat idea of notTo (bank name)To (bank: name): Sort Code: Sort Code: having a single national PoliceAddress: Address: Postcode: Postcode: force. For emphasis he said that Set up a standingSet up ordera standing to: order to: only the Liberal Democrats were Scottish Green Party, The Co-operative Bank, a/c 65341377, sort code 08-92-99. against moving to a single police Scottish Green Party, The Co-operative Bank, a/c 65341377, sort code 08-92-99. force. Starting on Starting01/ /on20 01/ , please/20 pay, everyplease month pay every/year month (delete/ yearas appropriate) (delete as appropriate): £ : £ My accountMy number: account number: Signed: Signed: Given the opportunity to answer the question I pointed out that Please completePlease and completereturn to: and FREEPOST return to:Scottish FREEPOST Green Scottish Party, 20 Green Graham Party, Street, 20 Graham Edinburgh Street, EH6 Edinburgh 5QR EH6 5QR Greens also opposed the move to

------a national police force. He butted ------in to say: “the liberal democrats are the only main party...”I No caption required couldn’t help but point out that Almost as important as they’d not be a main party after getting placards up is taking the election, to widespread them down. Having been up laughter from the audience. all night at the election count on Thursday into Friday, I One of the many skills required was a little woozy taking of a campaigner in Edinburgh down placards on Friday is putting up and taking down afternoon, so the sight of a placards. Placards are the area sign outside the abandoned where Greens in Edinburgh and dilapidated former Social have outperformed all the other Work building on Shrub Place parties. So for us it’s important. made me look twice and then Greenprint is the Scottish Green Party’s quarterly newsletter, So important we start putting again. It said that this was the published by the Scottish Green Party, 20 Graham Street, them up at 11pm on the Friday “Big Society Headquarters.” Edinburgh EH6 5QR. before the election, a whole hour It certainly made me Greenprint is printed on recycled paper by Big Sky Print Ltd., before we’re allowed to. chuckle. PMcC The Press Building, 305 The Park, Findhorn, Forres IV36 3TE

8 Contact us on [email protected] or t.08700 772 207 June 2011