THE Scottish Greens did not take part in a session paying tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth ahead of inaugural First Minister’s Questions of the new Holyrood session.
The former monarch died at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, and politicians from four of Holyrood’s five parties paid tribute one the eve of the one-year anniversary.
Before FMQs on Thursday, First Minister Humza Yousaf, Scottish Tory group leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar, and Scottish LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton all spoke of Queen Elizabeth.
But Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, the two Scottish Green co-leaders and ministers, did not take the floor.
In June 2022, the Greens left the Holyrood chamber rather than take part in a session paying tribute to the late monarch on her 70th Jubilee.
READ MORE: Neil Oliver resigns from Royal Society of Edinburgh after 'discussions'
On Thursday, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, who was a Green MSP before taking on the role, recalled how the parliament had “conveyed our sincere condolences to the royal family” on the Queen’s passing, and called Yousaf to speak.
The First Minister (below) said: “One year since the passing of her majesty Queen Elizabeth does present a moment for reflection on a long and dedicated life of public service.
“I’m sure that colleagues will remember with great pride the beauty of Scotland’s landscapes but perhaps more importantly the warmth of Scotland’s people on her majesty’s final journey.
“Her majesty’s deep fondness for Scotland was well known. It is here that Queen Elizabeth chose to spend her most private family moments each summer.”
Ross, the Scottish Tory leader, recalled how “thousands of Scots gathered as her cortege made the final poignant six-hour journey from Balmoral to Holyrood palace as she’d wished”.
“Flowers marked the route in Ballater, bagpipes played in Aboyne, farmers lined their tractors on the roadside, and thousands stood on the Royal Mile to pay their last respects.”
Scottish Labour’s Sarwar praised the late monarch’s “kindness, wisdom, and integrity”, calling them “timeless values”.
“Scotland will remember her fondly,” he finished.
And Cole-Hamilton said there had been a “collective sigh of sadness and thanksgiving” across the whole world after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel