THE National put a series of quick questions to Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater on important and some not-so important issues of the day...
WHY DO YOU SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE?
Harvie: “For Scotland to be able to make its own choices and play a progressive part on the world stage.”
Slater: “For Scottish young people.”
WHAT IS THE MOST STEREOTYPICALLY GREEN THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
Harvie: “Hugged a tree.”
Slater: “I rode a bicycle to see the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior and gave a speech in front of it.”
WHICH GREEN MSP IS BEST AT KARAOKE?
Harvie: “Probably Gillian Mackay.” [Slater throws her hands up in disappointment] Slater: “Me obviously, although Gillian Mackay and I are obviously going to have to have that out now.”
WHICH CO-LEADER IS MOST LIKELY TO BE FIRST ON THE DANCEFLOOR?
Harvie: “Lorna.”
Slater: “Definitely me, I’ve never been to a dancefloor with Patrick but that’s what I’m expecting.”
WHERE DO YOU STAND ON MICHAEL GOVE’S DANCING?
Harvie: “I never want to see Michael Gove dancing or doing anything else frankly.”
Slater: “As far away as possible.”
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO AT CONFERENCE?
Harvie: “Thanking our members for their incredible work delivering our best election result.”
Slater: “Seeing real humans in person.”
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?
Harvie: “The equal marriage debate was really amazing, it was a moment of completing in many ways a change across all political parties to recognise human rights and we need to follow up on that with long overdue promises on trans people, but that moment in the equal marriage debate will probably stay with me for life.”
Slater: “Seeing Gillian Mackay get elected in central Scotland.”
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 here