Scottish Green ministers will SNUB the King — and instead go to an anti-monarchy rally
SCOTTISH Green ministers will SNUB the visit of King Charles in favour of attending an anti-monarchy rally.
Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie declined invitations for a special ceremony taking place in St Giles’ Cathedral today in Edinburgh.
First Minister Humza Yousaf and the leaders of Holyrood’s opposition parties will be in attendance.
But, the Scottish Green co-leaders, who are republicans, are refusing to take part.
Mr Harvie will instead speak at a rally by an anti-monarchy group outside of the Scottish Parliament.
He said: “There are many people in Scotland who regard the monarchy as a tiresome spectacle and a symbol of values we don’t hold.”
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In a video posted on social media yesterday, Ms Slater argued that it is time for Scotland to reconsider its relationship with the monarchy.
She said: “We need to talk about the monarchy. We need to talk about power and who holds it. How can we have a system that allows one family to enjoy so much unearned wealth and privilege at a time when millions of people have so little?
“Do we really believe that this is the best system of government that we can have? Is it really a suitable way for any country to be governed in the 21st century?
“I doubt it’s a system many of us would choose if we were to create a new society from scratch.
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“Representation matters, democracy matters. I want every child in Scotland growing up in Scotland to know that they can aspire to the highest office, regardless of what family they come from.
“We can be a fairer, greener Scotland where sovereignty, power and wealth lie with the people rather than being passed down like a family heirloom.
“All over the Commonwealth, there are people and parliaments having these debates and reconsidering their relationship with the monarchy. It is time for Scotland to do the same.”
Scottish Tory MSP Donald Cameron blasted the “extremist” Greens over their anti-monarchy remarks.
He said: “This stance is absolutely typical of the Greens’ student politics and Patrick Harvie’s attention-seeking announcement that he’ll be attending a republican rally instead is predictably infantile.
“If he wants to ask big questions, he should start with how he conducts himself as a government minister.
“The Greens may have failed to deliver a deposit return scheme, but they can definitely recycle tedious anti-monarchy rants.
“As on so many issues, the extremist Greens are out of touch with the majority of Scots who see the Coronation and the King’s commitment to Scotland as something to celebrate.”
Nats leader Mr Yousaf has previously spoken of his views as a republican, but has insisted that his job as First Minister is to “represent everybody in Scotland” and attended the Coronation in London in May.
However, he has said that an independent Scotland could ditch the Royal Family if voters opted to replace the King with a new head of state.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Bute House Agreement represents a model of co-operation that brings Green ministers into government for the first time anywhere in the UK.
“The Scottish Government and the Green Group remain distinctive voices on many issues in Scotland and in the Scottish Parliament.
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“The King has had close connections to Scotland and its people throughout his lifetime.
“The Coronation events taking place in Edinburgh are an opportunity to celebrate and strengthen those connections and will involve many of the charities and institutions from across Scotland which have The King as their patron.”
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