Politics · United Kingdom · 2 days ago
Former Scottish Greens leader says party has abandoned its environmental mission
Robin Harper, who led the Scottish Greens, says the Green Party has abandoned its original focus on protecting the environment.
He argues that party leader Zack Polanski is effective at attracting applause but is not a strong leader.
Harper compares the excitement of political rallies with the less glamorous work of governing, including decisions on taxes and defence.
He says local councils also handle practical services such as rubbish collection, roads, schools and parks.
In his view, concentrating on divisive issues can stir crowds but makes it harder to address the complex work of government.
Harper says Polanski struggles to guide supporters when they pursue their own priorities.
He does not describe any specific next steps for the party.
Former Scottish Green Party leader Robin Harper says the party he led has abandoned its environmental mission.
Harper criticises Green Party figure Zack Polanski, calling him a populist who focuses on issues that draw applause.
He argues that governing requires attention to less appealing subjects such as taxes, defence and public services.
Harper recounts his unsuccessful 1995 by-election campaign in Perth and a crowd’s enthusiastic response to his speeches.
- Who
- Robin Harper, a former leader of the Scottish Greens, criticises the party and Zack Polanski.
- What
- Harper says the party has abandoned its environmental mission and criticises Polanski as a populist.
- When
- The article was published on 10 October 2026. Harper’s Perth by-election story took place in 1995.
- Where
- The article discusses the Scottish Green Party and recalls a by-election in Perth.
- Why
- Harper argues that the party and Polanski focus on crowd-pleasing issues rather than the difficult work of government.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Harper says he won almost ten per cent of the vote in a European election but narrowly missed a seat.
Harper stood for the Scottish Green Party in the Perth by-election after the death of Sir Nicholas Fairbairn.
The Daily Mail published Harper’s article criticising the party and Zack Polanski.
- Author
- Robin Harper
- By-election
- Perth, 1995
- Votes for Harper
- 223
- Votes for Screaming Lord Sutch
- 586
- SNP candidate
- Roseanna Cunningham, who received nearly 17,000 votes
What people are saying
Zack Polanski is no leader.
He is a populist, and a dangerous one at that.
There will be no great cheers over the discussion of taxes or defence.
Sources
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