Holyrood elections 2026: Greens' Lorna Slater will challenge SNP's Angus Robertson in Edinburgh Central
Former Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater is to challenge Culture Secretary Angus Robertson in his Edinburgh Central seat at this year's Holyrood election.
And one projection suggests she could win it.
Ms Slater served as a Scottish Government minister during the Greens' power-sharing agreement with the SNP and was at the centre of the controversy over the abandoned Deposit Return Scheme.
At the last Scottish Parliament elections in 2021 she stood in Edinburgh Northern & Leith, finishing in third place, but was elected as one of two Green MSPs on the Lothian regional list alongside Alison Johstone, who became Presiding Officer and is standing down at this year's election.
Ms Slater has already been chosen as the Greens' number one candidate on the renamed Edinburgh and Lothians East regional list.
And now she has been selected to stand in the Edinburgh Central constituency, which Angus Robertson won in 2021 with a 4,732 majority over the Tories.
A polling projection by politics website Ballot Box Scotland shows the Greens winning Central with 29.8 per cent of the vote, ahead of Labour on 22.7 per cent and the SNP on 21.3 per cent.
Ballot Box Scotland acknowledge their figures for the Greens are based on "a combination of their regional vote and a very rough and ready estimate of how their constituency vote in a given seat would compare".
The Scottish Greens say they go into the election focused on cutting household bills, expanding rent controls, taking strong action on climate change and redistributing wealth by taxing the richest in society.
Ms Slater said: “I am proud to be standing as the Scottish Green candidate for Edinburgh Central. This is a constituency full of energy, creativity and diversity, but far too many people here are struggling with soaring rents, rising bills and insecure work, making the cost of living unsustainable.
“For too long, politics in our city has been dominated by the same voices, offering continuity rather than the bold change people need and want.
“At a time of deepening inequality, comfortable-continuity simply is not enough. Our community needs bold action. Edinburgh Central needs an MSP who will focus on practical measures to cut the cost of living."
She said she was proud of the work the Greens had done to make bus travel free for young people, end peak rail fares and put money back in people’s pockets.
“I have shown that it is possible to turn Green values into real things for the people of Scotland. I will bring that same determination to Edinburgh Central by standing up for tenants, for public services, and for the urgent climate action that is so desperately needed for ordinary people.
“This election is a chance to choose a different direction. One that puts people and planet first. As MSP for Edinburgh Central it will be my job day after day to push the Scottish Government to do the right thing.”
Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay said Ms Slater had been "one of the most impactful Green politicians".
She continued: “Edinburgh Central deserves an MSP who will challenge complacency and push for faster, fairer change. Lorna will make the case for bolder action on housing, climate and inequality, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to spiral out of control.
“This will be a closely watched contest, and we are confident that people in Edinburgh Central will respond to a positive and principled candidate that offers a real Green alternative and future."