Green defectors become Your Party’s first Scottish councillors

Three Scottish Green councillors in Glasgow have defected to Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s Your Party.

Dan Hutchison, Seonad Hoy and Leodhas Massie have become Your Party’s first elected representatives in Scotland.

Two Glasgow MSP candidates and three West of Scotland MSP candidates have also defected to the party.

The Scottish Greens said they were “disappointed” but said its other councillors would “continue to lead the fight for their communities”.

Hutchison, who represents the Govan ward on Glasgow City Council, said Green MSPs “have their heads deep in the sand”.

He added: “I’m proud to be joining a truly socialist party who will not accept the status quo, will actually involve ordinary people in the politics that impacts their lives, and won’t be accepting brutal cuts in exchange for scraps off the table.”

Among the other defectors is Holyrood candidate Ellie Gomersall, who was second on the Scottish Greens’ regional list for Glasgow.

She has been outspoken about her issues with the leadership of the Scottish Greens and urged other party members to follow suit.

Ms Gomersall said in a statement: “Where every single one of the existing Holyrood parties is complicit in passing on brutal cuts to public services, it’s clear to me that only Your Party can be taken seriously to stand firm against austerity and work to materially improve the lives of the working class.”

Your Party co-founder Sultana is due to hold a rally in Glasgow later.

The early months of Your Party were marred by an apparent split between Sultana and the former Labour leader over how members will be able to sign up.

Sultana accused Corbyn of overseeing a “sexist boys’ club” at the new left-wing party.

She threatened legal action, but later backed away, saying it was “for the sake of the party”.

A Scottish Greens spokesperson said: “Scottish Greens have always stood up for people and the planet in Glasgow and beyond, whether protecting public services from cuts, or fighting to improve our public transport.

“Our councillors will continue to lead the fight for their communities and against the billionaire profiteers who exploit Scottish workers and pollute our planet.”