THE Scottish Green Party is not known for its big internal
rows, but one continues to brew.
Rather oddly, it hinges on the third letter of the alphabet and involves the party's co-convenor Maggie Chapman.
Here is the story.
A Scottish Greens disputes body is investigating claims of ballot
irregularities in the contest that selected the party’s joint leader as a
Holyrood candidate.
The Appeals, Conciliation and Arbitration Tribunal (ACAT) is considering
allegations that the internal procedures governing the regional List contests
unfairly benefited Maggie Chapman.
However, the probe has been delayed after the ACAT co-conveners left their
positions on on the Tribunal.
Patrick Harvie and Alison Johnstone are the only two Green MSPs, but
opinion polls have predicted the party could get into double figures after next
year’s Holyrood election.
The party’s post-referendum surge in membership resulted in fierce
competition in the internal rankings system to determine who topped each
regional List for the party.
The number one ranked Green candidate on each of the eight Lists has a
good chance of getting elected.
In the North East, party joint leader Chapman saw off a range of local
candidates to become her party’s top nominee.
However, the process has since become tainted by allegations of ballot
manipulation and favouritism.
A key issue in the internal selection was the order of the candidates on
the ballot papers sent to local members.
Being the first name on the ballot – as was the case in the Holyrood
election in 2007 when the SNP ran as Alex Salmond for First Minister – is said
to provide an in-built advantage.
As previously revealed by the Sunday Herald, a Scottish Green party committee ordered the names by a formula, rather than random selection.
On every List, the order of the names on the ballot was alphabetised by
the third letter of each candidate’s surname.
In the North East, this meant Chapman was the first of twelve names, while
her main rivals were positioned down the ballot paper.
The only exception to this rule was for surnames beginning with “Mc” or
Mac”, where the formula applied after these letters were excluded.
A complaint was made and ACAT is now investigating.
According to the party’s constitution, two non-voting co-conveners
administer the Tribunal, which is made up of five randomly selected members of
the party.
Party sources say Chapman is part of a socialist grouping inside the
Scottish Greens that includes ex MSP Mark Ballard and former Edinburgh
University rector Peter McColl.
These leftists are believed to be keen to co-operate with RISE, a new
socialist party launched earlier this month.
However, many Greens believe RISE is a potential electoral rival and
should be kept at a distance.
ACAT’s role is to adjudicate on internal disputes relating to expulsions,
dismissals and other rows referred to it by party members.
Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “The Scottish Greens seems to be
getting their organic alphabet soup in a mess with this candidate selection
row. They like to present themselves as a different sort of party, offering a
fresh approach to politics, but it seems they are just as capable of back room
manoeuvres as the so-called established parties.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Greens said: "This is an internal
matter and we are very confident it will reach a clear and constructive
conclusion soon. We are focused on delivering the best ever Green result in the
election in May."
