Slater unseats the SNP’s Angus Robertson as the constituency’s first Green MSP.
Lorna Slater was elected as the new MSP for Edinburgh Central on Thursday’s election, the Scottish Greens’ first ever constituency win in Scotland post-devolution.
She replaces the Scottish National Party’s Angus Robertson, who has served as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture since being elected MSP in 2021 and was previously party deputy leader under Nicola Sturgeon.
Robertson also served as a Westminster MP for Moray between 2001 and 2017, and as Leader of the SNP in the House of Commons from 2007 to 2017.
Slater won with a majority of 4,582 (13%) and a total share of 36%, ahead of Labour’s James Dalgleish (23% total share), with Robertson coming third at 21.9%.
Who is Lorna Slater?
Lorna Slater was previously co-leader of the Scottish Greens alongside Patrick Harvie from 2019 to 2025.
Slater also served in the Scottish Government as Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity between 2021 and 2024, one of the first Green politicians in the UK to serve as a government minister.
Originally from Calgary, Canada, Slater moved to Glasgow in 2000 after graduating with a degree in electro-mechanical engineering design. She worked in the tidal energy sector before joining the Scottish Greens in 2014 following the Scottish Independence Referendum.
She has stood in elections for the Scottish Greens on several occasions: during the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the 2017 general election, and a 2019 City of Edinburgh Council by-election.
What are Lorna Slater’s priorities?
Slater’s campaign focused on expanding free bus travel, implementing rent controls, free school meals, improving the accessibility of childcare, as well as taxing the ‘super-rich’.
Her campaign crowdfunder says: ‘Lorna is a proud advocate for LGBT+ rights and a welcoming, compassionate, Scotland. She will stand up for her principles against the backtracking of the SNP and the rise of Reform.’
What does this win mean for the Scottish Greens?
Lorna Slater’s election to Edinburgh Central is the first time the Greens have won a constituency contest.
She described the party’s first constituency win as ‘a significant milestone’
“The win] is amazing for us. It shows how that progressive agenda really has support, especially from young people.”
The Scottish Greens also gained three seats on the Edinburgh and Lothians East list (including Q Manivannan, the first openly transgender person elected to Scottish Parliament), as well as one each in the North East and Mid Scotland and Fife regions.
How does this result compare to the rest of Scotland?
The SNP won their fifth election in a row with 58 seats (-6), but without an outright majority. They were followed by Labour at 17 (-4) seats. Reform beat the Greens at 17 seats (+17) to 15 (+6), followed by the Conservatives at 12 (-19) and the Liberal Democrats at 10 (+6).
Malcolm Offord, leader of Reform UK Scotland, said his party should be designated the ‘main opposition’ as they won a greater share of the votes than Labour; Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labour, said his party was ‘hurting’ and would continue to fight for change.
Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, said they and the SNP have a ‘mandate to deliver’ a second referendum on Scottish independence and that his party would ‘stand up to bullies’ Reform UK.
Featured Image via Scottish Greens, Flickr.
