A Green party insider told the Record a change in leadership was “long overdue”.

Ross Greer is aiming to become co-leader of the Scottish Greens after Patrick Harvie announced his intention to stand down this summer.

The MSP is reportedly considering a joint campaign with his Holyrood colleague Gillian MacKay when members decide who should lead them into next year’s crunch Holyrood election.

Such a scenario could see Lorna Slater, the current co-leader with Harvie, ousted from her position at the top of the party.

She previously told the Record she would relish the chance to take on Reform when voters go to the polls next year.

Harvie, who has co-led the party since 2008, plans to continue as an MSP but will not lead the Greens into next year’s vital election campaign.

The environmentalists allows all members to put themselves forward for leadership positions – but there is a view the co-leader jobs can only realistically be filled by sitting MSPs.

A party source told the Record: “The MSPs will be fighting like rats in a sack to win co-leadership this summer – but they’d do well to remember it’s the grassroots members that elect them.

“As for Patrick, this is long overdue. We need new faces, not a coronation of his favoured son.”

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The source added many members would welcome MacKay if she announced her intention to replace Slater.

They added: “Gillian is by far the most popular MSP with the membership and would be a clear favourite”.

Slater previously said she would be “grateful” for the opportunity to spell out the “positive vision” her party will offer voters.

Asked if she was concerned by the rise of Reform, Slater told the Record: “I read they are planning to use Nigel Farage to head up their campaign in Scotland. So I could find myself on televised debates with him.

“It would certainly give the Greens a chance to set out our very clear opposition to the kinds of things Reform stand for, and I would be grateful for that.

“I wouldn’t want to share a platform with Nigel Farage if I had any choice in it, but if I am obliged to do that, I am not going to be shy in standing up for what I believe in.

“We are at opposite ends of the political spectrum and voters need that variety. But it is disappointing to me that the larger parties are failing to set out a positive vision for the kind of future they want to build, and instead are stealing ideas from the loudest voice in the room.”

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