GREEN MSPs have boycotted a parliamentary session of fawning tributes to the royal family.
None of the party’s seven representatives spoke or attended the Scottish Parliament for extended tributes to the late Queen, which gave backbenchers and others the chance to speak about her life and legacy.
It was the only item of business in the parliament on Tuesday.
Co-leader Patrick Harvie gave a speech in Holyrood after the accession of Charles to the throne, in which he reminded the new King life was not “rooted in status or power” and which notably did not end with the phrase “God save the King”, as others had.
The party’s republican stance was defended in an exclusive interview with The National, in which Harvie argued there ought to be “space” to debate the hereditary monarchy following the Queen’s death but highlighted he had paid condolences to Charles and his family on their loss.
A Greens source pointed out the party was represented at official events in the wake of the 96-year-old’s death by Harvie and co-leader Lorna Slater, including receiving the new King at Parliament, services in Edinburgh and London, and at the funeral on Monday.
Some tremendous speeches and tributes to her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth @scotparl today from across the political spectrum - @theSNP @ScotTories @ScottishLabour @scotlibdems. A little disappointing that one Party is entirely absent.
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) September 20, 2022
The boycott was criticised by Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser who said it was “a little disappointing” the party were “entirely absent”.
A Scottish Greens spokesperson said: “With Parliament sitting again we are working for people and the planet. Green MSPs are focusing on their constituents and how we can tackle the cost of living crisis that Westminster has inflicted.
"In the weeks ahead we will continue preparing to put forward legislation to secure a rent freeze and eviction ban that will provide a lifeline for tenants, and will be increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £25 a week.
"This is the difference we are making with Greens in government, and is a sharp contrast from the cuts, austerity, and environmental vandalism of Liz Truss and her Tory colleagues."
