Harvie To Contest Glasgow Kelvin

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie has announced he will stand in a first-past-the-post seat at next year's Holyrood election.

Mr Harvie will contest the Glasgow Kelvin constituency in the 2016 poll.

The Scottish Parliament's 129 MSPs can be elected in one of two ways - under a constituency first-past the post system like that at Westminster, or in a second vote where parties are allocated a number of additional members on their list to make the overall result more proportional.

Mr Harvie has been a Green MSP for the Glasgow region since 2003, elected under the proportional "list" system.

But he said "the time is right" for him to contest the constituency vote in the area.

He will also remain at the top of the party's list for the 2016 ballot.

Mr Harvie said: "I am delighted to be seeking the support of voters in Kelvin constituency, as well as across Glasgow region. It's been an honour to represent the city in the Scottish Parliament for the past 12 years and I believe the time is right to contest the constituency vote.

"We have a strong team in Glasgow, with four Green councillors who have made a huge impact in their communities. With that track record, we are campaigning to win Kelvin in 2016."

The Greens said polling has consistently put them on around 10% on the regional vote for next year's election, suggesting they could get eight to 12 MSPs, with at least one in each of the eight regions.

The Glasgow Kelvin seat is currently held by SNP MSP Sandra White.

In last year's European election, Kelvin saw the SNP, Labour and the Greens split by just a few dozen votes.