Image supply, Scottish Greens
Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater pictured on the Scottish Greens’ spring celebration convention earlier this 12 months
The co-leaders of the Scottish Greens have confirmed they won’t attend a service of thanksgiving for King Charles in Edinburgh this week.
Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are each outspoken republican MSPs in addition to authorities ministers.
Mr Harvie will as an alternative converse at a rally exterior Holyrood organised by the anti-monarchy group Our Republic.
Scottish Conservative MSP Donald Cameron mentioned the choice was “akin to student politics”.
During a nationwide service of thanksgiving, the King can be offered with the Scottish crown jewels in a ceremony in Edinburgh on Wednesday, marking his Coronation.
Last 12 months, members of the Scottish Greens boycotted a debate at Holyrood at which MSPs congratulated the Queen on her platinum jubilee.
At the time the celebration, which is a part of a Scottish authorities power-sharing deal, mentioned a head of state must be chosen by and be accountable to voters.
Confirming her intention not to attend Wednesday’s ceremony, Ms Slater mentioned: “In 21st Century Scotland, the monarchy is nothing to celebrate.”
She added: “It is an out-of-date and undemocratic establishment.
“How can we justify a system that enables one household to get pleasure from a lot unearned wealth and privilege at a time when tens of millions of individuals have so little?”
Image supply, Getty Images
Scottish Green celebration co-leader Lorna Slater met the Queen on the opening of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament in October 2021
Mr Harvie added that the monarchy was one of many the explanation why he supported Scottish independence.
He mentioned: “There are many individuals in Scotland who regard the monarchy as a tiresome spectacle and an emblem of values we do not maintain.”
“I can be proud to converse on the Our Republic rally and to stand with others who need to construct a extra democratic society the place energy and wealth belongs to the individuals slightly than being handed down as an inheritance.”
Donald Cameron mentioned Mr Harvie’s selection to converse on the rally as an alternative was “predictably childish”.
He added: “If he desires to ask huge questions, he ought to begin with how he conducts himself as a authorities minister.
“The Greens could have failed to ship a deposit return scheme, however they’ll undoubtedly recycle tedious anti-monarchy rants.
“As on so many points, the extremist Greens are out of contact with nearly all of Scots, who see the coronation and the King’s dedication to Scotland as one thing to rejoice.”
