While disappointed that they did not make a strong showing in Moray’s election battle last week, the Moray Greens insist that they will come back fitter and stronger from the experience.
The local party has welcomed the solid result obtained by local campaigners in the General Election. The result, while small, was the best for the Scottish Greens outside the Central Belt – and a more notable achievement being the first time voters in Moray have ever had a Green option on the ballot.
“While I’m slightly disappointed not to have done a wee bit better, in a wider context this is actually a pretty good result for us,” Moray Greens Convenor, James MacKessack-Leitch, said.
He added: “We always knew the daft winner-takes-all electoral system was going to work against us, but to have achieved the best result for the Scottish Greens outside the Central Belt is testament to the dedication and hard work of the campaign team, and the courage of the voters who backed what they truly believed in.
“Combine this with the hundreds of new members who have joined the party in the past weeks, we’re now in a strong position for the proportional elections for Holyrood next year, and the Council the year after, where every Green vote will make a difference.”
“I would also like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates in the campaign which was conducted in a positive and amiable fashion – something which we can all be proud of.
“I would also extend my congratulations to Angus Robertson on his re-election, and wish him well in leading the SNP group against a majority Tory government set on further austerity and a new generation of weapons of mass destruction.
“Green politics is right at the beginning of its journey in Moray, and I think it’s clear we need to have a strong Green voice campaigning for the long term – not just the next 5 years – to bring about change and balance to our economy, society, and environment.
“On Thursday we set a bar in Moray, now we’re looking forward to raising it.”