"Too soon" to set date for Indyref2 says Scottish Greens co-leader
Patrick Harvie has been taking your calls on our election phone-in
Last updated 25th Apr 2021
The co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie, thinks the next Holyrood government should focus on our recovery from the pandemic before setting a date for another vote on Scotland's future in the UK.
He's been taking your calls in the latest in a series of Scottish party leader phone-in programmes on {{stationName2}} in the run up to the Holyrood election next Thursday.
Mr Harvie told the programme hosts John Collins and our political correspondent, Alan Smith, that he does believe that Scotland should go to the polls on the issue at some point over the next 5 years.
"The activity, energy and debate that is generated by this discussion about what kind of country we want to be is energising.
"It is absolutely fundamental to the questions about how we tackle the climate and nature emergency, how we overcome poverty and inequality in society and how we build the Scotland that we know we can be.
"Our position is that it should happen over the next term of the Scottish Parliament and we are not willing to go beyond that"
On banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 5 years
Margaret Anne called into the show on {{stationName2}} to ask if they can realistically ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars within five years as they pledge to in their manifesto.
Mr Harvie replied: "The idea that we just carry on burning fossil fuels to get about is going to come to an end sooner or later.
"I think it is down to government action to try to accelerate that and I think most people do want to do the right thing - they want transport systems and policies that will help them.
"Government needs to put its shoulder behind this otherwise we will keep on missing those climate targets.
"The shift to public transport needs to be a part of that."
On trans rights
Caller Marion asked about the Scottish Green Party's support to reform the Gender Recognition Act and the ability to self identify as the opposite sex.
Patrick said: "We need to recognise that this very small group of marginalised people experience an extraordinary level of hostility, hatred and violence.
"I think it is reasonable that we look at the promises that were made by all five political parties five years ago at the last election to reform the Gender Recognition Act in the way that other countries already have done.
"Things like trans healthcare are important too because trans people in Glasgow are having to wait three years or more just for their first appointment.
"It can take up to a year and a half after that for their follow up appointment."