I offer my congratulations and those of the Scottish Green Party to Nicola Sturgeon on her re-election
as First Minister. It is a remarkable achievement to be returned for a fourth term, 14 years after the SNP
entered government, and more than six years after Nicola Sturgeon herself first became First Minister.
To be returned with the second highest tally of seats won at any election since devolution, demonstrates
that whatever differences we have, the First Minister personally retains the confidence of the bulk of the
country. I look across this debating chamber, Presiding Officer, and what I see is hope. I see
Scotland’s most diverse Parliament, coming together in this room at this most critical
of times. I see more young people, more women, more disabled people and more people with diverse
backgrounds and experiences. I’m particularly moved that in this term of Parliament we have
crossed what I consider to be a key threshold for culture change within an institution, in that more
than 40% of our MSPs are now women. 45% actually. I congratulate all the parties who have
worked hard to improve their gender balance in order to bring in this fresh talent and these new
perspectives. This is important, because when we change who is making decisions, we change
outcomes. Will we, as a more diverse group, have a more positive working culture? Will there be more
cross party working on matters such as a National Care Service, housing, education, and tackling the
climate and nature emergencies? Will we be able to think long term? To think about the well-being of
our people and stewardship of our land and resources, rather than allowing exploitation and
extraction? I have hope, Presiding Officer, because these are challenging times.
The Climate Emergency requires this Government and this Parliament to take bold, transformative
action. The pandemic requires a commitment to investment and rebuilding. The majority of
pro-independence MSPs returned to this Parliament means that we need to have a national conversation
about the Constitution and about what kind of country we want to be. Do we want to be
welcoming to refugees? Do we wnt to be a world leader in renewable energy and have town and city
centres that are designed for people, rather than cars? Do we want blood sports on our hills or
sustainable agriculture and forestry? I have hope, Presiding Officer, because the people
of Scotland did vote like their future depended on it in this election, voting in record
numbers for the Scottish Greens and returning the largest ever number of Green MSPs.
The people have asked for practical, life-changing policies: new jobs in renewable energy, warm
homes, upgraded railways, stronger links to Europe. We can take many of these steps now,
without waiting for independence. But completing the necessary transformation must also involve
asking the people of Scotland to choose their own future, and building the case for independence
which is based on transformation, on building the Scotland we want to see: a fair and green Scotland
that is in charge of its own destiny. We can invest in jobs and the economic recovery, reduction of
carbon emissions and improve the quality of life for everyone in Scotland, we just have to choose
to do so. We. Us. The people in this room. Presiding Officer, I am hoping that the First Minister
and everyone in this room will consider the nature of the multiple crises that we face, and will commit
to working in the spirit of cooperation and constructively across party lines to make the kind of
transformative changes that are needed to protect our environment
and ensure an economy that works for everyone.