Patrick Harvie — Scottish Green Party politician

Co-leader of the Scottish Green Party and long-serving MSP for Glasgow, known for campaigning on climate action, social justice, drug policy reform and civil liberties in Scottish politics.

Overview

Patrick Harvie (born 18 March 1973) is a Scottish politician who serves as co-leader of the Scottish Green Party and as the party's leader in the Scottish Parliament. He has represented the Glasgow region as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) since his first election in May 2003. Harvie is widely recognised as one of the prominent Green figures in Scotland and shares the party leadership with Lorna Slater.

Roles and responsibilities

As co-leader and parliamentary leader, Harvie combines party-wide strategic responsibilities with day-to-day duties in the parliament. His roles have included developing party policy, speaking for the Greens on a range of issues in plenary debates and committees, and negotiating with other parties and the Scottish Government. He has been especially visible when the party has taken part in formal cooperation or confidence arrangements with the Scottish Government, shaping how Green priorities are translated into government decisions.

Policy priorities

Harvie's political platform emphasises environmental and social policy measures. Key areas he has championed include:

Climate action: rapid emissions reductions, investment in public transport and renewable energy.
Social justice: poverty reduction, affordable housing and public-service investment.
Drug policy reform: harm-minimisation approaches, including calls for new legal frameworks for personal possession.
Civil liberties and equality: advancing LGBT+ rights and protections for minority groups.

Career and development

Harvie first entered the Scottish Parliament in 2003 as an additional-member MSP for Glasgow. He rose through party structures and was first elected co-convener of the Scottish Greens in 2008. In the party's later leadership reforms the role evolved into a co-leader model, under which Harvie continues to lead alongside a second co-leader. Over two decades in the parliament he has combined constituency work with national policy campaigning.

Notable facts and influence

Harvie is known for articulate advocacy of Green principles blended with pragmatic negotiations on government policy. He is openly gay and has been a prominent voice for equality within Scottish politics. His leadership has helped raise the profile of the Scottish Greens, both in public debate and in formal arrangements with other political groups. For more details on his work and parliamentary activity see his official pages: profile and records.