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{{short description|Co-Leader of the Scottish Green Party}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}{{Similar names |Patrick Harvey (disambiguation){{!}}Patrick Harvey}}

factoids

| alongside1 = Lorna Slater| 1blankname1 = AlongsideEleanor ScottMartha Wardrop>Maggie ChapmanAlison Johnstone>Lorna Slater}}| term_start1 = 22 September 2008| term_end1 = | predecessor1 = Robin HarperMember of the Scottish Parliamentfor Glasgow (Scottish Parliament electoral region)>Glasgow{{nobold|(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)}}| term_start4 = 1 May 2003| term_end4 = | office5 = Scottish Green portfoliosCabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work>Finance, Economy, Fair Work and Equalities| subterm5 = 2016–2021Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution>Finance and the Constitution| subterm6 = 2021197318|df=yes}}| birth_place = Vale of Leven, Dunbartonshire, Scotland| death_date = | death_place = | birthname = | nationality = | party = Scottish Greens| spouse = | relations = | children = | residence = Manchester Metropolitan University}}| occupation = | profession = | cabinet = | committees = | signature = | website = Official website| footnotes = }}Patrick Harvie (born 18 March 1973) is a Scottish politician who has served as Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights since 2021. He has served as one of two co-leaders of the Scottish Greens{{efn|name=fna}} since 2008, and is one of the first Green politicians in the UK to serve as a government minister. Harvie has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Glasgow region since 2003.Born in Dunbartonshire, Harvie attended the Manchester Metropolitan University, where he was a member of the Labour Party. From a young age he was active in politics, having attended a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament demo, while still in a pram.NEWS, 2021-08-30, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater: Who are the new Green ministers?, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2021-08-30, Harvie worked for a sexual health organisation, which led him into campaigning for equality. His experience of campaigning to repeal Section 28, led him to join the Scottish Green Party. Harvie was elected to the Scottish Parliament in the 2003 election, representing the Glasgow region.In September 2008, Harvie was appointed as male co-convenor of the Scottish Greens, serving alongside Eleanor Scott, Martha Wardrop and Maggie Chapman. In 2019, following a constitutional change in the Green Party, he ran for co-leadership in the August election. He was elected alongside Lorna Slater. As Slater was not an MSP at the time, Alison Johnstone fulfilled her role within the Scottish Parliament, until May 2021. In August 2021, after entering a power-sharing agreement with the SNP, Harvie and Slater were both appointed to the Scottish Government as junior ministers, becoming the first Green Party politicians in the UK to serve in government.

Early life

Education and career

Patrick Harvie was born on 18 March 1973 in Vale of Leven, Dunbartonshire. He grew up in a very political household, and was taken to Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament demonstrations as a child.NEWS, Ross, Peter, 2023-12-31, Harvie suits the political stage, The Times, en,weblink 2023-12-31, 0140-0460, Harvie describes his teenage self as "Awkward, self-conscious, uncomfortable. I was always the small kid in class. Crap at sport. Speccy. Good marks"Harvie attended Dumbarton Academy from 1984 to 1991. He then studied at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he was briefly a member of the Labour party.NEWS,weblink Party Leader interviews: Patrick Harvie, Tom, Gordon, The Herald, 5 April 2015, 19 December 2016, Before being elected to the Scottish Parliament, Harvie worked within the Gay Men's Project at the sexual health organisation PHACE West, later PHACE Scotland and now part of the Terrence Higgins Trust. He was initially a youth worker and later as Development Worker for the Lanarkshire Health Board area. Although this work was principally concerned with HIV prevention, it also involved Harvie in equality campaigning. Harvie also had a spell as a civil servant, working with the Inland Revenue in Dumbarton.

Early political years

At a young age, Harvie became involved in politics, having first attended a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament demo with his mother, while still in a pram. When he was ten, he told his mother that one day he would become Prime Minister. During his years at university he was a member of the Labour Party.Harvie was active in the campaign to repeal Section 2A of the Local Government Act, more commonly known as Section 28. This campaign was successful, and he has stated that the experience prompted him to become more actively involved in politics, leading to his membership of the Scottish Green Party.NEWS,weblink Leader of the Scottish Greens: "You don't need to like Alex Salmond to vote Yes, New Statesman, Anoosh, Chakelian, 15 August 2014, 25 October 2017,

Early parliamentary career

Initial campaigns

(File:Patrick Harvie speaks to rally.jpg|left|thumb|237x237px|Harvie addresses rally outside Scottish Parliament, 2009)Harvie was elected as MSP for the Glasgow region at the 2003 Scottish Parliament election. He gained attention both for issues strongly associated with the Greens, such as campaigning against the extension to the M74 motorway in Glasgow and for more 'mainstream' issues such as opposition to the Identity Cards Bill.NEWS, 2005-05-17, ID cards face Scots opposition, en-GB,weblink 2023-12-26, NEWS, Paterson, Stewart, 12 January 2004, M74 'benefits' under scrutiny, Evening Times,weblink 26 December 2023, He also supported campaigners concerned about the health impacts of tasers.NEWS, 2006-09-26, Campaigners warning on Taser use, en-GB,weblink 2023-12-26, Quickly after becoming an MSP he caused some controversy by proposing civil partnership legislation in the Scottish Parliament.NEWS, Scott, David, 14 May 2003, Row looms on same-sex couples' rights, 8, The Scotsman,weblink 26 December 2023, Though this legislation was ultimately handled at Westminster and covered the whole UK, the distinctive Scottish proposals helped to stimulate some public debate north of the border, both on the issue of same-sex relationships and on the process known as a Legislative Consent Motion by which the Scottish Parliament allows Westminster to legislate for the whole UK. When civil partnerships were introduced, Harvie condemned councils who enabled staff not to conduct same-sex civil partnership ceremonies.NEWS, 2005-12-20, Couples in partnership ceremonies, en-GB,weblink 2023-12-26,

Communities Spokesperson

Harvie was a member of the Communities Committee of the Scottish Parliament throughout the 2nd Scottish Parliament and served as Scottish Greens Spokesperson for Justice and Communities from 2003 to 2005 and Spokesperson for Justice, Communities, Europe and Constitutional Affairs from 2005 to 2007.WEB,weblink Previous MSPs: Session 2 (2003–2007): Patrick Harvie MSP, 7 December 2011, Scottish Parliament, 4 August 2014, Through his work on the Communities Committee, he worked on the Anti-social behaviour Bill, the Charities Bill and the Housing Bill, as well as on issues of homelessness, debt, the planning system and building standards.In 2004 Harvie was given the 'One to Watch' award at the annual Scottish Politician of the Year event. In addition to the Communities portfolio, Harvie covered the Justice portfolio for the Greens, and has been active on a number of civil liberties issues. He has also been convener of the Cross Party Group (CPG) on Human Rights, and helped to establish a CPG on Sexual Health.

Co-Convenor of the Scottish Greens

Co-convenorship bid

He became the male co-convenor of the Scottish Greens on 22 September 2008 after being the only person to stand for the position, after Robin Harper resigned.NEWS, 2008-09-22, Harvie to become Green co-leader, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2020-07-16, NEWS, Harris, Gillian, 23 November 2008, The Greens' shoots of recovery - Interview, News Review 9, The Sunday Times,weblink 26 December 2023, He is the first openly bisexual leader of a political party in the United Kingdom.

Increasing influence

Following the Green Party's disappointing performance in the 2007 election, Harvie was returned with a reduced share of the vote. The tight parliamentary arithmetic and a constructive relationship with the Scottish National Party (SNP) led to a Co-operation Agreement between the two parties. Under this, Harvie was elected to be convene the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, an office he held until 2011.WEB,weblink Previous MSPs: Session 3 (2007–2011): Patrick Harvie MSP, Scottish Parliament, 24 March 2019, Despite working closer with the SNP, he remained opposed to the Scottish Government's infrastructure projects, including his longstanding opposition to the M74 motorway and their planning framework, claiming it represented only "more bridges, more airport expansion, and barely a thought for the major renewables projects that should be front and centre in a document like this".NEWS, Schofield, Kevin, 14 January 2008, Budget blow for SNP as Greens threaten to withhold their support, The Herald,weblink 26 December 2023, NEWS, Macmahon, Peter, 10 January 2008, Greens don't share warm welcome for the new planning framework, 46, The Scotsman,weblink 26 December 2023, However, he was also able to secure the Scottish Government's support for legislation to tackle LGBT and disability hate crime.NEWS, Howie, Michael, 15 January 2008, Backing for law to tackle gay hate crime, 16, The Scotsman,weblink NEWS, Gardham, Magnus, 16 January 2008, WE'LL MAKE GAY HATE A THING OF THE PAST - Tough new laws aim to stamp out violent attacks, 26, Daily Record (Scotland),weblink In 2015, Harvie witnessed the first same-sex wedding in Scotland, alongside Nicola Sturgeon who officiated it.NEWS, 2014-12-31, First same-sex weddings take place in Scotland, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2023-12-26, File:Green Yes Support (15237280066).jpg|thumb|Harvie campaigning alongside Alison JohnstoneAlison Johnstone

2014 Independence referendum

{{See also|Scottish independence}}Harvie is a supporter of Scottish independence and voted 'Yes' in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. In the run up to the referendum, he was part of the Yes Scotland campaign and campaigned alongside Nicola Sturgeon.NEWS, 2021-08-30, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater: Who are the new Green ministers?, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2021-09-02, While he campaigned in-favour, not as a 'nationalist', Harvie stated the cause for independence was "for a vision of Scotland as a peaceful country with social justice, equality and environmental protection at its core".NEWS, 2012-10-06, Scottish independence: Greens join Yes Scotland campaign, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2021-09-02,

Re-election in 2016

Re-elected in 2016, Harvie joined the Finance and Constitution Committee and became Scottish Greens Spokesperson for Finance, Economy, Fair Work and Equalities.NEWS,weblink Glasgow – Scottish Parliament electoral region – Election 2016, 24 March 2019, WEB,weblink Patrick Harvie MSP, 22 May 2018, Scottish Green Party,weblink 24 March 2019, live, 24 March 2019, In 2017, Harvie supported the successful North Kelvin meadow campaign to take over an area of greenspace into community ownership, as part of a wider Green push for land reform.NEWS, Brooks, Libby, 2017-01-02, Glasgow Children's Wood saved from development, en-GB, The Guardian,weblink 2023-12-26, 0261-3077,

Brexit and future referendum on independence

In the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, Harvie called for a 'Remain' vote. After the result, he said Scotland "must keep open every option for protecting ourselves from this threat"NEWS, 2016-06-22, EU referendum: Scotland backs Remain as UK votes Leave, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2023-12-26, Since Brexit, he has voiced his support for the Scottish Government's proposal for a second independence referendum.WEB, Greens could back indyref2 court fight against Tories, Patrick Harvie suggests,weblink 2021-09-02, The National, 8 April 2021, en, When rumours emerged that Nicola Sturgeon was considering 'shelving' another referendum, Harvie called on the Scottish Government to "keep its promise to pass an independence bill to protect Scotland from a hard Brexit."NEWS, Whitaker, Andrew, 8 January 2017, Senior SNP figures back Sturgeon on 'parking' indyref2, The Herald,weblink 26 December 2023, He has argued that the 2014 independence campaign was wrong to advocate to keep the pound and publish an "encyclopaedic White Paper, as it contained too many things for people to dislike," He also criticised Labour when led by Jeremy Corbyn, calling it "feeble", but nonetheless called for "progressive forces to join together to take on the Tories".WEB, 2017-01-06, Patrick Harvie: We need progressive forces to join together to take on the Tories,weblink 2023-12-26, The National, en,

Co-leader of the Scottish Greens

After changes to their constitution, Harvie was elected co-leader of Scottish Greens alongside Lorna Slater in a 2019 co-leadership election.WEB, 2019-10-04, Scottish Greens to announce new co-leaders,weblink 2020-05-19, Holyrood Website, en, With Slater, Harvie led their party into the 2021 Scottish Parliament election and won nine seats, the most Greens ever elected to the Scottish Parliament.NEWS, 2021-05-08, Scottish election 2021: Scottish Greens win record eight Holyrood seats in 'best ever' result, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2023-12-26,

Bute House Agreement

(File:Agreement_with_Scottish_Green_Party_at_Bute_House_Lorna_Slater_at_right.jpg|thumb|Agreement at Bute House in 2021)In August 2021 after weeks of talks, he was at Bute House with his co-leader Lorna Slater 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, but the government now argued that it had a stronger case for a national independence referendum and pledged to hold an independence referendum before the end of 2023 if the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.WEB, Scottish Green Party members vote to back powersharing deal with SNP,weblink 2021-09-02, Enfield Independent, 28 August 2021, en, As part of the agreement the Green Party would have two ministers in government.WEB, 2021-08-20, SNP and Scottish Greens confirm power-sharing deal in historic moment for Greens,weblink 2021-08-21, the Guardian, en, (File:Nature Restoration Fund (51659424160).jpg|thumb|Visiting the Seven Lochs project in Easterhouse, Glasgow, to announce a multi-year funding commitment for the Nature Restoration Fund, November 2021|left)

Junior minister; 2021 to present

On 30 August 2021, Harvie was appointed Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights.WEB, 2021-08-30, New Ministers to be appointed,weblink 2021-08-30, The Scottish Government, en, He and Slater are the first Green Party politicians in both Scottish and UK political history to serve in government.In April 2023, Harvie was the subject of criticism after Mandy Rhodes of Holyrood magazine claimed she felt bullied by him. WEB, 2023-04-14, 'Nothing prepared me for the toxicity endemic in the sex and gender issue',weblink 2023-12-26, The Herald, en, As part of the Scottish budget process in 2023, he attended emergency Cabinet meetings as part of efforts to finalize the Scottish budget and secure agreement between his party and the SNP.WEB, 2023-12-07, Green ministers join Humza Yousaf's cabinet for crunch emergency budget meeting,weblink 2023-12-31, The Herald, en,

COP26

During his tenure, COP26 was held in his home city of Glasgow and Harvie used to occasion to raise the issue of Scottish independence with world leaders.WEB,weblink Patrick Harvie to use COP26 to push independence case internationally, November 2021, He also got into a dispute with Greenpeace, which had recently criticised Nicola Sturgeon. Sturgeon had asked the British Government whether the new Cambo oil field near Shetland should be "reassessed" in light of the climate crisis. However, Greenpeace said fence sitting was not good enough and urged the First Minister to "stop hiding behind Boris Johnson" and oppose the oilfield.WEB,weblink Nicola Sturgeon 'hiding behind PM' on Cambo oilfield, say climate groups, TheGuardian.com, 12 August 2021, Harvie said the organisation did not understand Scottish politics and the SNP's attachment to the oil industry. "I do think that we are more actively plugged into the Scottish political agenda than Greenpeace," Harvie told journalists. "And I do think Greenpeace, understandably, look at issues such as Cambo in a UK context and don't see it in a Scottish Parliament context.”WEB,weblink COP26: Patrick Harvie says 'Greens don't have same position' on drilling oil and gas in independent Scotland {{!, The Scotsman| date = 4 November 2021}}

Tenants protections

Harvie consulted on a 'New Deal for Tenants' in 2021, which would include rent controls, a right to have a pet and eviction protections.WEB, 2021-12-20, Private tenants in Moray set to benefit from new protections,weblink 2023-12-26, Northern Scot, en, In October 2022, Harvie introduced the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022 to freeze rents and ban evictions in response to the cost of living crisis.WEB, 2022-10-04, Rent freeze strikes right balance between tenants and landlords – minister,weblink 2023-12-26, The Independent, en, The emergency legislation was the first bill to be introduced by a Green minister in the UK. The next year, Harvie extended the legislation, but removed the rent freeze in favour of a rent cap.NEWS, 2023-01-19, Rent rises to be capped and eviction ban to remain, en-GB, BBC News,weblink 2023-12-26, His measures faced legal challenges by landlords who claimed that the measures breached the European Convention on Human Rights.WEB, 2023-01-20, Landlords push forward with legal challenge against private sector rent freeze,weblink 2023-12-26, The National, en, (File:Heat in Buildings visit to Western Villages.jpg|thumb|236x236px|Patrick Harvie visits a housing development using heat pumps, 2023)The measures were extended for a final time in September 2023, with Harvie promising the introduction of permanent rent controls.WEB, Rent Controls Here To Stay says Scottish Government,weblink 2023-12-26, Landlord Today, en, WEB, 2023-09-21, Parliament approves final extension of tenant protections,weblink 2023-12-26, Scottish Housing News, en, In October 2023, Harvie began to consult on what these may look like.WEB, Scottish government seeks views on long-term rent controls,weblink 2023-12-26, Inside Housing, En,

Zero Carbon Buildings

In November 2023 Harvie consulted on proposals to require homeowners and businesses to change how homes are heated.WEB, 2023-11-28, Explained: What Patrick Harvie's heat pumps strategy means for you,weblink 2023-12-31, The Herald, en, He also confirmed that all homes will have to meet energy efficiency standards by 2033 and that all homes would need to replace gas boilers by 2045.WEB, Media, P. A., 2023-11-28, Patrick Harvie: All homes will have to meet energy efficiency standards by 2033,weblink 2023-12-31, STV News, en-GB, The former proposal was criticised as creating a "ten-year timebomb" by the Scottish Conservatives.

Political views

Scottish republicanism

{{See also|Scottish republicanism}}As well as a supporter of Scottish independence, Harvie supports an independent Scottish republic. He has been highly critical of the British monarchy, calling for the monarch to be replaced with a "democratically accountable head of state", as well as describing the Royal Family an "outdated, discredited and totally undemocratic institution".

Personal life

Harvie is bisexual, and in 2003 became the first openly bisexual Member of the Scottish Parliament.WEB,weblink 30 years of Stonewall: The fight for LGBT rights, The Herald (Glasgow), The Herald, 26 May 2019, 4 June 2019, He is an advocate of Open Source and Free Software, and is a Linux user.WEB, KDE.news, KDE.news, Member of Parliament Patrick Harvie Talks to KDE,weblink 7 July 2007, 8 March 2024, His use of Twitter during an important political dinner drew much media comment.NEWS,weblink Harvie: Twitter ye not at my manners, The Scotsman, David, Maddox, 18 April 2009, Harvie was formerly an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society,WEB,weblink Honorary Associates, National Secular Society, 2019-08-01, Honorary Vice-President of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association and a patron of Parents Enquiry Scotland. He was a board member of the former Glasgay! Festival, and is a member of Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Equality Network, Stonewall (UK), Amnesty International, Humanist Society Scotland, Campaign for Real Ale and the Campaign Against the Arms Trade. From 2003 until 2007, Harvie wrote a weekly column in the Scottish edition of the Big Issue.Harvie was a candidate in the election for Rector of the University of Glasgow in February 2008.Rectorial Elections 2008 Results, Glasgow University SRC, February 2008

Notes

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References

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External links

• {{SP-MSP}}
• {{Official website}}
• Profile at Scottish Green Party

{{Scottish Greens}}{{Junior Scottish Government Ministers}}{{Scottish political leaders}}{{Leaders of political parties in the United Kingdom}}{{Glasgow MSPs}}