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Gillian Mackay bids to be Scottish Greens co-leader

PA Media Gillian Mackay walking through a corridor in Holyrood - she has long brown hair, is wearing a pink jacket and black top, and carrying a folder under one armPA Media
Gillian Mackay said she believes she can take the party further if elected co-leader

Green MSP Gillian Mackay has announced her bid to be co-leader of the party.

Mackay, who successfully spearheaded the bill creating buffer zones at abortion clinics, said on social media she believes she can "take the party further and deliver great election results" if elected co-leader.

Patrick Harvie, who has been in the role since 2008, previously said he is not standing to continue in the post.

Fellow co-leader Lorna Slater, who has been in the job since 2019, is standing again.

Scottish Green Party members elect co-leaders every two years, with at least one to be female.

Results of the leadership contest are expected in August.

Mackay said on social media: "At a time when politics is dominated by the egos of men, it is all the more important we have women with big voices and ideas in politics."

PA Media A group of protestors near an abortion clinic - there are six people, holding placards saying things like Abortion is not healthcare , while also holding umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain. Behind them are a variety of signs pinned to a chain-link fence supporting abortion, saying things like Choose inside a heart.PA Media
Gillian Mackay's legislation created buffer zones around abortion clinics to ban protesters from gathering nearby

The Central Scotland MSP successfully brought forward a member's Bill at Holyrood creating buffer zones around abortion clinics, preventing any protests or vigils taking place within 200m (656ft).

She said that during four years at Holyrood, she has "shown I can deliver on the causes I champion and bring people together behind them".

She added: "I believe I am the person who can not only take the party further and deliver great election results, but deliver fantastic things for Scotland and our communities."

US Vice-President JD Vance criticised the bill earlier this year, falsely claiming people who live within safe access zones had been sent letters by the Scottish government warning them about praying within their homes.

Mackay later said Vance's claims were "total nonsense and dangerous scaremongering."