Ousted tenants right minister Patrick Harvie (main image) has urged the SNP’s new leader John Swinney to honour the government’s Bute House pledge to deliver rent controls and stronger tenant rights.

After the former Scottish deputy first minister was confirmed as the only person to put themselves forward to succeed Humza Yousaf, he now faces a confirmation vote at Holyrood that will likely see him approved as nominated candidate to be the country’s seventh first minister.

The Greens and SNP ended their power-sharing agreement, putting Harvie – a key force behind the government’s rent control proposals and eviction ban – out of a job. The Green co-leader says the party is committed to delivering on its vision of a fairer, greener and more equal Scotland, and is open to talks with Swinney and his team about how to make that happen.

Tenants' rights

Harvie adds: “There are a lot of important policies already on their way to delivery as a result of the Bute House Agreement, including better rights for tenants and rent controls. We remain utterly committed to these policies and will oppose any move away from them or steps to dilute them.”

However, although Swinney said he was sure there remained “a lot of common ground” with the Greens, he didn’t mention housing in his acceptance speech, saying: “If elected first minister, my focus will be the economy, jobs, the cost of living. It will be the NHS, our schools and our public services. It will be addressing the climate crisis.

“I will reach out to everyone willing to join with us in good faith and seek compromises that serve our nation well.”

Shelter Scotland director, Alison Watson, says it’s now more important than ever that those suffering at the sharpest end of the housing emergency have their voices heard in government. She adds: “There must be someone in the cabinet dedicated to tackling the housing emergency.”