Greens and SNP have ‘mandate to deliver’ second independence vote

The SNP and the Greens have a joint “mandate to deliver” a second vote on independence, the Scottish Greens have insisted.

The party picked up a record 15 MSPs in Thursday’s election, with “incredible” results seeing them win their first ever constituency MSPs.

The Scottish Parliament has its highest ever number of MSPs who support independence, with 73 MSPs from the SNP and Scottish Greens returned.

“If parties win a majority in parliament and they have manifesto commitments then they have a mandate to deliver on those manifesto commitments,” co-leader Ross Greer told BBC Radio Scotland.

Fellow co-leader Gillian Mackay told STV News: “Last session, we showed we could work constructively both in and out of government. We need to make sure that whatever we do, we deliver the promises in our own manifesto and make sure that we make Scotland that kinder, greener and fairer place.”

Scotland also elected its first two transgender MSPs to the Holyrood parliament as Scottish Green Party candidates.

Dr Q Manivannan and Iris Duane both secured regional list seats.

Mackay said it was a demonstration of love for the trans community among the wider public.

“I think it actually shows that the level of hate and heat that we often see in the media doesn’t actually play out in public opinion,” she said.

“Iris and Q are going to be fantastic MSPs and additions to the group and I think that it does show that out in the wider public there is that – not just tolerance – but love for the trans community in putting these wonderful two people into parliament.”