Cllr Claire Miller (she/her)

Dear Shabana, I notice today that you referred to me in your speech on immigration at the IPPR think tank. You said: “A party leader should not be on the beaches of France encouraging people to make a perilous crossing on small boats.” I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised especially after the hateful Labour campaign in Gorton and Denton, but this is just the latest in a string of lies peddled by a discredited Government who intentionally fan the flames of racism and division. When I went to Calais, I was not there to encourage people to travel to the UK. I was there to see at first hand the suffering your Government and successive Governments have done in demonising migrants in a pathetic bid to pander to the base instincts of Reform and the flawed strategy of Morgan McSweeney. As you will know, if you even bothered to research my visit instead of taking Reform talking points, I was there to witness the brutality of families living in tents in freezing temperatures. I filled water tanks and picked up litter. What that visit did do is confirm my belief that if we are to smash the boat gangs and stop the boats, we need to offer safer and managed routes for migrants to come to this country. Showing compassion as a politician is not a crime. In fact, we need to see much more of it. It reminded me of a young MP who in October 2015 spent three days in Lesbos helping migrants fleeing war-torn Syria. She posted videos on X, talked about handing out water and croissants to refugees and food parcels. When she returned to the UK, she wrote a very moving piece in the New Statesman. She said “we have to work with our European partners and create new, safe, and legal routes for refugees to get to Europe. We cannot abandon them to their fate, left as prey for smugglers whilst risking death on the seas.” She said “maybe we can make ourselves feel better by saying no-one is making them get on the boats. And again, the Home Secretary is not entirely wrong when …

Dear Shabana,

Let's clear some things up around migration and remember we're talking about people's lives.

Left can't resist being on wrong side of a war Whether it's Jeremy Corbyn or Zack Polanski, their foreign policy stances terrify voters outside core supporters

Well, here’s the thing about being antiwar as an ethical belief: it means you end up opposing most wars. Almost all of them, in fact. This is quite common in people who have consistent beliefs but looks insane to people who have none, or mostly just believe superior people should make the decisions.

Goodness, thanks for letting me know Simon, I’ll follow up and see if we can get this sorted urgently. Sorry!

For folks in Edinburgh:

Colleagues at Edinburgh Napier are still under threat of compulsory redundancy.

There is a rally in front of the Scottish Parliament, Thursday 5 March 10:30am for 11:00am start.

We're crushing a sector that supports our city and region. Why?

Another new poll. Scottish Greens on course for best ever result. 2021: 8 MSPs. Today's poll: 16 MSPs. On May 7th vote Scottish Greens.

🚨 NEW POLL!

Poll after poll has the Green vote surging ahead of May's Scottish Parliament election.

Together we can build a fairer, greener, independent Scotland.
👉 www.greens.scot/join

Donate to our crowdfunder and help support people-powered politics in Edinburgh: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/edinburgh-...

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Reform’s billionaire backers want to fill Holyrood with MSPs that will do their bidding.

@scottishgreens.org are different.

Our MSPs are not for sale. We don’t have billionaires or oil and gas barons writing our policies. Our donations come from ordinary people like you.

🚨Today, the UK government announced harsh new asylum rules that will make refugee status for people fleeing war and persecution temporary.

These proposals are cruel, unworkable and undemocratic.

Here is our response: https://scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/cruel-asylum-changes-unworkable/

Guilty.

Join the Scottish Greens Join the Scottish Greens today and be part of our growing movement. Why should I join?  We are always told that the system is broken, but it’s not. It’s rigged. It's rigged in favour of corporations, ...

We aren’t simply looking to challenge Labour, we want to beat them and replace them.

The result in Gorton and Denton wasn't a fluke or an accident, it was a sign of what's coming for Labour this May.

Join us! 💚

members.greens.scot/join/standar...

Absolutely amazing news to wake up to - it wasn’t even close. Hope wins.

We’ve got 69 days left in Scotland to bring hope back. Join us members.greens.scot/join/standar...

"And in administration across 4 budgets now, Labour have done nothing - absolutely nothing - to pursue the issues they were elected on and to represent the people they were formed to serve. What have they brought forward instead today? A blank page waiting to be filled with Tory and Lib Dem priorities." Cllr Ross McKenzie

This is the group's first budget since being joined by Cllr McKenzie. And he brought PROPS (😍)to demonstrate how disappointed he is by his former party's failure to deliver on their manifesto.

"By providing a very modest amount of funding relative to the council’s budget towards organisations supporting new scots, we would be recognising this core work and putting our money where our mouth is when we say that Edinburgh welcomes our new residents. If other groups choose not to adopt this budget proposal, they will be showing that their warm words towards migrants cannot be translated into tangible support when they are called on." Cllr Claire Miller, Equalities Spokesperson

"We start our budgets from the point of view of “how can we best use public money to make the biggest impact on our most vulnerable citizens” – who not only suffer the most from the cost-of-living crisis, but also bear the brunt of cuts to services. This is why we proposed a 6% council tax increase – costing households in band D an extra £15 a year, yes, but enabling significant investment in things to improve their everyday lives." Cllr Alys Mumford, Health spokesperson

Even though things seem like they might all be stitched up already, we're presenting our budget asks - Green Cllrs have learned from previous years that things we fight for might fail at first, but often bear fruit in later years! Cllrs Claire & Alys made the case for more spending on equality ♀️🦽✊🏾🏳️‍🌈🫄

"We crafted an amendment to the administration budget which would have stopped the slum lords, provided more accessible housing and better supported asylum seekers and refugees. It looks unlikely that any of these will be accepted today. Perhaps for Labour that doesn’t matter, I don’t expect them to be here next term either, but for the rest of us and for the city they have chosen to set us up for failure" Cllr Alex Staniforth, Finance Spokesperson

"I think we need to remember the folks drinking lead water, choosing between heating and eating, juggling childcare and work, kids who are developing asthma and life limiting conditions because of the ignorant obsession with cars over active and safe travel. Think of the people on the housing waiting lists, students with additional support needs. I started being happy to second our budget proposal but now end despondent at the state of this administration and chamber." Cllr Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, Co-convener

Budget Day in Edinburgh and it seems - as in past years - Labour will be teaming up with the Tories to get their budget passed😒

It's depressing when other parties put their own interests above those of the city, but Green Cllrs will continue to fight for public money to be spent for public good ✊

Do you have 16 to 18 year olds in your household?

Remember they can vote in the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May. Make sure they're ready to vote. If they are busy with exams, they can apply for a postal vote so that they don't miss out voting. Reg www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

An image of the Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh with a white text box on top of it saying "A budget for climate, equality, and housing justice. A public diner trial, investing in active travel, reducing rents, free bus travel for asylum seekers, landlord regulation and more. Cllr Alys Mumford explains the Green Councillor budget proposals for climate and social justice." At the bottom is a green band with a white Scottish Greens logo and the word Edinburgh

On Thursday, Edinburgh City Council will be setting its budget - find out what the Green Councillors have proposed in their budget for climate, equality and housing justice: edinburgh.greens.scot/blog/a-budge...

SWBG's 2026 Survey is live!

We're researching women's finances and care responsibilities. Plus, we want to hear women’s priorities on devolved policy and the Scottish budget.

Help us show how economic policies affect women and what needs to change.

smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7LPU68/

so you've probably heard about the London measles outbreak. A lot of people are talking about anti-vax misinformation, but that's not actually the problem here. The problem is austerity. 🧵

Moved home recently?
Make sure your voter registration is up to date so you can vote in the Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May. Deadline is 20 April.
Do it today at gov.uk/register-to-vote

Ramadan Mubarak from me and the Edinburgh and Lothians East Greens!

@edinburghgreens.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/owle...

Ah ok yes that makes sense.

Sorry to be exactly the kind of Brit who is the problem, but can I ask what makes good or bad Mexican food? If nothing I’ve ever eaten is the right kind of Mexican, how do I find out what is missing? (Other than going to the one London restaurant in your replies)

National Day of Action. Let’s make history. We’re on track to elect our first constituency MSP in Edinburgh Central - help us! Sunday 22 Feb meet up to go door-knocking 11am Pavilion Cafe on The Meadows, or 2pm Outside the Co-op on 114 Dalry Road.

Lorna forecast to win Edinburgh Central! Chart showing Green 29.8%, Labour 22.7%, SNP 21.3%, Reform 14.1%, Con 7.5%, LibDem 3%. (27/01/2026 Ballot Box Scotland). Both Votes Green on May 7th.

Join us this Sunday, 22 February, for a day of action! With @lornaslater.bsky.social on track to being elected as Edinburgh Central MSP, we'll be spreading the word in Central, South, and South East Edinburgh.

- 11am at the Pavilion Cafe on the Meadows or
- 2pm outside the Co-op at 114 Dalry Road.

Going on holiday or not available to vote in person on 7 May?

You can still vote in the Scottish Parliament election. Apply for a postal vote by 21 April or a proxy vote by 28 April.

Make sure your vote is counted, even if you're away. www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Ok, so just ignoring the mahoosive change to the constituency then 😮‍💨

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Anyone aged 16 or over in Scotland can vote in Scottish Parliament elections. For the election on 7 May, register to vote by 20 April: gov.uk/register-to-vote

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Help us elect candidates that care. Meet lovely people and gain great experiences.
We have a range of roles, so whatever your strengths are, your help would be very much appreciated.
Sign up here: edinburgh.greens.scot/elections/volunteer-form/

Very excited to see another projection showing Greens winning Edinburgh Central 🗳️💚📈