Maggie Chapman re-elected as Scottish Greens co-convener

Former councillor Maggie Chapman has been re-elected as co-convener of the Scottish Green Party after the party carried out its internal elections.

Chapman saw off a challenge from Glasgow branch co-convener Zara Kitson by 815 votes to 598 to become the party’s female co-convener.

Patrick Harvie remains the male co-convener after he was elected unopposed. He publicly backed Kitson.

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Chapman said the result showed the party would not “settle for our comfort zone” and predicted it could make a “big impact” in the Holyrood elections next year.

“This has been a really exciting election, and I’m really pleased the Scottish Green Party has chosen my vision of a welcoming, socially just Scotland which works for good in the world,” she said.

Kitson said she was proud of her campaign. “This election has been held in a very constructive spirit – it has energised our party, and is an excellent sign of where we've got to. It shows Scottish Greens are comfortable doing politics differently and holding a constructive debate,” she said.

The party is set to review its internal structures over the coming year with the role of male and female co-convener expected to be examined.

Chapman quit as an Edinburgh councillor in June to concentrate on becoming an MSP for the North East, but faced a petition of local members who wanted a more local candidate. She is rector at the  University of Aberdeen.