Lorna Slater

(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)

• Politician

Lorna Slater MSP
Official portrait, 2023
Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity
In office 31 August 2021 –25 April 2024
Incumbent
Assumed office 13 May 2021
Website	Lorna Slater

Lorna Slater (born 27 September 1975) is a Canadian-born Scottish politician, who served as Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity in the Scottish Government from 2021 to 2024. She has been co-leader of the Scottish Greens, alongside Patrick Harvie, since 2019, and was one of the first Green politicians in the UK to serve as government ministers.

Slater has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Lothian region since 2021.

Early life and engineering career

Lorna Slater was born in Calgary in the Canadian province of Alberta. ^{[1] [2] [3]} She was educated at the Western Canada High School. ^[4] From 1993 to 2000, she attended the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where she gained a degree in electro-mechanical engineering design. ^[5]

In 2000, a month after she was due to graduate, she purchased a one-way ticket to Glasgow and planned to travel across Europe for two years, but ended up staying in Scotland. ^[3] After moving there, she worked as an engineer in the renewables sector, then later as a project manager. ^{[6] [7]}

In 2018, she was one of three women from Scotland awarded a place on the Homeward Bound international leadership development programme and this included a trip to Antarctica the following year, where she studied the effects of climate change. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

Early political career

Slater became politically involved following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, where she campaigned in favour of Scottish independence and subsequently joined the Scottish Greens. ^[11]

Slater has been an election candidate for the Scottish Greens several times. At the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the party named her third on the Lothian list, ^[12] while in 2017 general election, she was one of only three candidates fielded by the Scottish Greens, ^[7] standing for Edinburgh North and Leith. ^[13]

In April 2019, in a City of Edinburgh Council by-election for the Leith Walk ward, she took a 25.5 per cent share of first preference votes, finishing second. ^[14] She was co-convener of the Scottish Greens Operations Committee when she was named second on the list of the party's candidates for the 2019 European Parliament election. ^[15]

Co-leader of the Scottish Greens

Co-leadership election bid

Changes to the Scottish Greens' constitution meant the positions of co-conveners were abolished in favour of the newly established positions of co-leaders. In the run up to the 2019 Scottish Greens co-leadership election, Slater announced her candidacy via Twitter. When announcing her candidacy, she stated that the party was ready for a "fresh new start." Upon winning, she said that she wanted to get more women and non-binary people elected, and to gain more seats than ever before at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. ^[8]

On 1 August 2019, the results were announced and Slater replaced Maggie Chapman as the female co-leader (formerly co-convenor). She gained 30.2%, coming second place. She is serving alongside Patrick Harvie for a two-year term. ^[8] As Slater was not a member of the Scottish Parliament, Alison Johnstone served as co-leader of the Scottish Greens within the Scottish Parliament, until the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.

2021 election campaign

Slater at Stop Cambo Rally, July 2021

Slater became a prominent figure in the lead up to the Scottish parliamentary election, with her being featured in TV Debates and interviews. In the first televised debate on BBC Scotland, Slater urged action on climate change, stating; "Science tells us we have less than 10 years before the climate breakdown goes past the point of no return. The time to act is now." She also reinstated how the Scottish Greens would support legislation on another referendum on Scottish independence within the "next term of parliament". ^[16]

In the 2021 election to the 6th Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Greens saw their best result ever. The party gained 8.1% of votes on the regional list, earning two additional seats. As the Scottish National Party was one seat away from a majority, the Greens' gain in the election created a pro-independence majority. Slater predicted the Greens "will have more influence than ever". ^[17]

Member of the Scottish Parliament; 2021 to present

Official parliamentary portrait, 2021

Slater stood as the Greens' candidate for the Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. She gained 13.1% of the votes, but failed to win the seat, coming third. ^[18] Although Slater was unsuccessful in winning the constituency, she was second on the party list vote for the Lothian region, and was elected as an additional member. ^[19]

Slater was a member of the Scottish Parliament's Economy and Fair Work Committee ^[20] as well as the Scottish Greens' Spokesperson on Economic Recovery and Green Industrial Strategy. ^[20]

Maiden speech

Slater delivering her maiden speech to the Scottish Parliament, May 2021

On 18 May 2021, Slater delivered her maiden speech to the Scottish Parliament. She called on all the parties to "work constructively and across party lines" to make transformative change. She also called on for the parliament to build a case for Scotland to leave the United Kingdom and believes the nation should vote again in another independence referendum. ^[21]

We can take many of these steps now, without waiting for independence. But completing the necessary transformation must also involve asking the people of Scotland to choose their own future and building the case for independence which is based on transformation, on building the Scotland we want to see. A fair and green Scotland that is in charge of its own destiny.

COVID-19 rules breach

On 10 June 2021, a picture was shared on social media which showed Slater and other members of the Greens, including co-leader Patrick Harvie and MSP for West Scotland Ross Greer, breaching social distancing measures. At the time only three households were allowed meet indoors. However, The Scottish Sun reported that Slater, Harvie, Greer and another Green Party member were pictured at a bar in Edinburgh. Slater responded, "This was an honest mistake, we're kicking ourselves and we apologise unreservedly". ^[22]

(From left to right) Patrick Harvie; Nicola Sturgeon and Slater outside Bute House following the SNP-Greens co-operation agreement, 2021

Bute House Agreement

In August 2021 after weeks of talks, she was at Bute House with co-leader Patrick Harvie and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to announce a power-sharing agreement that would see the Green party in government for the first time in the United Kingdom. There was no agreement on oil and gas exploration. As part of the agreement the Green Party would have two ministers in government. ^[23]

Junior minister; 2021 – 2024

On 30 August 2021, Slater was appointed as a junior minister in the Scottish Government as Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity. She and Harvie are the first Green Party politicians in both Scottish and UK political history to serve in government. ^[24]

She was re-appointed as a minister after Green MSPs supported the nomination of Humza Yousaf as First Minister. ^{[25] [26]}

Slater joined First Minister Humza Yousaf and Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn to launch the Scottish government's proposal for how citizenship would work in an independent Scotland in July 2023. ^{[27] [28]}

Slater (second from top left), at the Scottish Cabinet meeting in Haddington, December 2023

In December 2023, she joined the Traveling Cabinet in Haddington, East Lothian. ^[29] She then took part in a question and answer session with local residents with the Scottish Cabinet. It has been reported she attended that Cabinet meeting and other emergency Cabinet meetings as part of efforts to finalize the Scottish budget and get agreement between the Greens and SNP. ^[30]

Deposit Return Scheme

Main article: Deposit return scheme (Scotland)

In November 2021 Slater announced that a flagship recycling scheme for drinks containers had been delayed yet again. Although prior to her election Slater had told voters the scheme "needs doing", in government she said it was proving too tricky. Greenpeace said such, "a shambolic delay to the long awaited deposit return scheme is embarrassing for a government which loves to shout about its green credentials." ^[31]

Slater and Humza Yousaf meeting business stakeholders in Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme, April 2023

On 18 April 2023, the First Minister, Humza Yousaf announced the scheme would be delayed until March 2024, while the Scottish Government awaited an exemption for the scheme from the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020. ^{[32] [33]} Subsequently, after the UK Government decision to provide a partial exemption from the Act, Slater announced that the scheme would be delayed "until October 2025 at the earliest" and said that the UK Government "sadly seemed so far more intent on sabotaging this parliament than protecting our environment." ^{[34] [35]} Circularity Scotland, the body set up to deliver the scheme said it was "disappointed" by Slater's decision. ^[36]

After delaying the scheme, she was subject to a vote of no confidence in Parliament, with the Conservatives accusing Slater of being "out of her depth". ^[37] During the No Confidence debate, Humza Yousaf described the motion as a 'stunt' to distract from the report on Boris Johnson, a perspective shared by Slater herself, who had earlier called the motion "a shameless political stunt." ^[38] The motion was defeated by 68 votes to 55 resulting in Slater surviving the vote and remaining as a junior minister. ^[38]

Biodiversity

Slater, with representatives from NatureScot and Friends of Saughton Park, launching a biodiversity consultation, September 2023

Slater launched a consultation on the Scottish Government's biodiversity framework in September 2023. ^[39] Part of it, the biodiversity strategy had previously been delayed to allow for further development, which led to criticism from the Scottish Conservatives ^[40] It proposes to halt the decline of biodiversity and create a “nature-positive” Scotland by 2030. ^[41]

Marine conversation campaigners had criticised the strategy as a "paper exercise in delay". ^[42] Slater disagreed, calling the criticism a "disappointing portrayal …[that] we neither recognise nor accept." ^[42]

Slater with Humza Yousaf and others at the launch of the Scottish Government's plan for citizenship in an independent Scotland, July 2023

National Parks

In the 2021 Scottish Parliament election campaign, Slater's fellow co-leader, Patrick Harvie proposed two new national parks for Scotland. After the election, she gained the ministerial portfolio for national parks, and outlined the process for selecting one or more new national parks. ^[43] In October 2023, Slater reaffirmed the promise to create at least two new national parks. ^[44]

Circular Economy

The Circular Economy Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Slater in June 2023. ^[45] Slater argues the bill targets “lazy, anti-social behaviour” and the country's growing “throw away culture” by introducing further regulation on waste disposal. ^{[45] [46]} Slater's proposals were welcomed by Friends of the Earth Scotland. ^[47] The Bill is currently undergoing stage one scrutiny by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee who criticised the "entirely unrealistic" costings that accompany the bill. ^[48]

Slater was criticised for avoiding questions from MSPs about the Bill by some commentators. ^[49] Some campaigners have advocated for the Slater to go further, and include provision for education about the circular economy. ^[50]

Personal life

Slater is autistic, and has often discussed its effect on her life and work. ^[51] The website Medium describes Slater as a queer icon. ^[52]

She is also a hobby aerialist ^[53] and previously had a pet bearded dragon called Bellamy, named after David Bellamy. ^[54]

References

1. "Sky's the limit: Meet Scotland's newest party leader". STV News. 13 August 2019. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
2. Grant, Alistair (5 August 2019). "Scotland's newest party leader swaps the big top for the political circus". The Herald. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
3. Scottish Greens [@scottishgreens] (30 April 2021). "I arrived in Glasgow with nothing but my backpack and a lot of student loan debt" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 April 2021– via Twitter.
4. "European Graduates | The University of British Columbia". graduates.name. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
5. "Meet the Remakery Team". Edinburgh Remakery. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
6. "The varied life of an electro-mechanical engineer". sciencegrrl.co.uk. 9 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
7. Davidson, Jenni (10 May 2017). "Scottish Greens reveal candidates for European elections". Holyrood . Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
8. Bell, Sean (1 August 2019). "'It's not democracy if it's not representative': New Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater says party will become more diverse under her leadership". CommonSpace . Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
9. "Edinburgh engineer heading to the Antarctic". theedinburghreporter.co.uk. 3 May 2018. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
10. Slater, Lorna (1 April 2019). "The not-so-strange connection between Antarctica and Leith". Edinburgh Evening News . Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
11. Allison, David (29 April 2017). "Local elections 2017: Leaflets, letterboxes and shoe leather". BBC News . Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
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14. Bol, David (12 April 2019). "SNP candidate Rob Munn victorious in Leith Walk by-election". Edinburgh Evening News. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
15. Kirkaldy, Liam (25 April 2019). "Scottish Greens reveal candidates for European elections". Holyrood. Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
16. "Everything you need to know about Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
17. "Lorna Slater: Scottish Greens will have more influence than ever". Banbury Cake. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
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24. "New Ministers to be appointed". The Scottish Government. 30 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
25. Jarvis, Chris (29 March 2023). "Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie re-appointed as Scottish Government ministers". Bright Green. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
26. Fitzpatrick, Tara (29 March 2023). "Scottish Greens to keep roles as Humza Yousaf confirms full cabinet". STV News. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
27. Slater, Lorna (1 August 2023). "A positive vision for Scottish citizenship". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
28. "Humza Yousaf reveals Scots citizenship and passport plan". BBC News. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
29. "First Minister and Travelling Cabinet making visits in East Lothian this morning". East Lothian Courier. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
30. "Green ministers join Humza Yousaf's cabinet for crunch emergency budget meeting". The Herald. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
31. "Scotland's drinks recycling scheme delayed indefinitely, less than a week after COP26". inews.co.uk. 17 November 2021.
32. "Scottish deposit return scheme delayed until March". BBC News. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
33. George, Sarah. "Scotland delays Deposit Return Scheme until March 2024". edie. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
34. "Deposit Return". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
35. Philip, Andy (7 June 2023). "Scotland's deposit return scheme on hold until 2025 at the earliest". Press and Journal. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
36. "Scottish deposit return delayed until October 2025". BBC News. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
37. "Tories table vote of no confidence in Lorna Slater". BBC News. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
38. Media, P. A. (20 June 2023). "Lorna Slater no-confidence motion voted down by 68 votes to 55". STV News. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
39. Stephen, Phyllis (7 September 2023). "Government launches consultation on biodiversity". The Edinburgh Reporter. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
40. "Lorna Slater delays final biodiversity strategy amid fears over voices being silenced". The Herald. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
41. Amos, Ilona (13 December 2023). "Scotland's long-term vision for halting loss of species and boosting nature laid out in new biodiversity strategy". The Herald. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
42. "Campaigners label Scottish Government's biodiversity strategy 'meaningless'". The National. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
43. Milne, Roger (18 May 2023). "Proposals for new national parks in Scotland shape up". The Planner. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
44. Slater, Lorna (17 October 2023). "Our new national park will benefit all of Scotland". Edinburgh Evening News . Retrieved 10 December 2023.
45. "Householders could face fines amid litter crackdown plans". STV News. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
46. Dennis, Peter (15 June 2023). "Scottish Parliament publishes new circular economy bill". Circular Online. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
47. "In Context: Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill". Holyrood Website. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
48. "Recycling plans criticised by Holyrood committee". BBC News. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
49. "Sketch: Lorna Slater appreciates a good question". Holyrood Website. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
50. "Head set in a spin by the term circular economy? You're not alone..." The Herald. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
51. Slater, Lorna [@lornaslater] (11 June 2020). "As an autistic person (former girl) who has struggled with gender issues, I can assure you that there is a world of difference between being autistic and struggling with gender issues and being trans. Although, it would have been a comfort to me as a child to be able to discuss" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 January 2022– via Twitter.
52. "How Lorna Slater Became a Queer Icon". 11 May 2021.
53. "Lorna Slater: 'Flying on a trapeze is wildly addictive'". BBC News. 9 May 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
54. "Politicians and their pets: Lorna Slater and her lizard, Bellamy". Holyrood. 1 April 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.

External links

• Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Lorna Slater
• Lorna Slater's profile page on the Scottish Greens' official website

Party political offices
Preceded by Maggie Chapman	Co-leader of the Scottish Greens 2019 – present With: Patrick Harvie	Incumbent