SCOTTISH Greens MSP Ross Greer has launched his bid to succeed Patrick Harvie for co-leadership of the party. 

An MSP since 2016, Mr Greer was one of the key architects of the Bute House Agreement, which delivered ministerial jobs for Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater in return for propping up the SNP administration until it collapsed in acrimony last spring.

When Mr Harvie announced he would stand down, his close ally Mr Greer was widely expected to throw his hat into the ring.

Confirming that speculation on BBC Radio Scotland today, he said: “For the Scottish Greens, I think we have a huge opportunity in the next couple of years, but what we really need to do is focus.

“We need to focus on the kind of ideas that will cut people’s bills and tackle the climate emergency.”

Stating his party had a “moral obligation” to enact its policy, he hinted at a future return to coalition, adding: “I am absolutely willing to work with the SNP if we are going to deliver policies that make Scotland a greener and a fairer place.”