A Scottish Greens candidate expected to enter parliament is drawing criticism after backing both the abolition of prisons and a plan for Scotland to pay reparations to countries affected by colonialism.
Kate Nevens made the remarks during a recent interview, where she said Scottish independence would allow the country to adopt a different global role. She described independence as a “means to an end” and suggested compensation to former British Empire colonies could follow.
“I think we could start giving reparations to countries that we damaged through colonialism, which we’re already doing, actually, around climate. We could play a different role in the world,” she said, according to the Times.
Nevens is placed second on her party’s regional list in Edinburgh and the Lothians, making her highly likely to become an MSP. Her comments come as the Greens face scrutiny over policy positions that critics say fall outside mainstream voter concerns.
She acknowledged independence itself is not a top issue for many voters, saying it is “not coming up on the doorstep very much” and is “not a priority,” but maintained it would unlock broader policy changes.
Nevens has also supported abolishing prisons entirely, a position that has sparked backlash and is not shared by party leadership. Critics have questioned how such a policy would function in practice.
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer defended her candidacy. “Kate Nevens is one of the top candidates that we’re running in this election,” he said, adding that her experience working in conflict zones is valuable.
In the same interview, Nevens criticized members of Reform UK, saying those she had encountered “can’t hold an argument” and describing them as “not very smart.” She added: “They are bad people, they’re capitalists, they’re racists, they’re misogynists. Reform are feeding these lies.”
She also commented on immigration debates, saying: “They’re talking about people coming over in small boats, when what we should be worried about is people coming over in yachts, the billionaires, right?”
Nevens criticized the British monarchy, saying it should have been abolished “centuries ago like all other sensible countries,” and added: “Right now, with all of the child abuse, you’re like wow, okay, this is the system we’re choosing to have?”
Opposition figures responded to the remarks. Sue Webber said: “These latest remarks confirm how out of touch the Greens are with people’s real priorities in Edinburgh.”
Kate Nevens made the remarks during a recent interview, where she said Scottish independence would allow the country to adopt a different global role. She described independence as a “means to an end” and suggested compensation to former British Empire colonies could follow.
“I think we could start giving reparations to countries that we damaged through colonialism, which we’re already doing, actually, around climate. We could play a different role in the world,” she said, according to the Times.
Nevens is placed second on her party’s regional list in Edinburgh and the Lothians, making her highly likely to become an MSP. Her comments come as the Greens face scrutiny over policy positions that critics say fall outside mainstream voter concerns.
She acknowledged independence itself is not a top issue for many voters, saying it is “not coming up on the doorstep very much” and is “not a priority,” but maintained it would unlock broader policy changes.
Nevens has also supported abolishing prisons entirely, a position that has sparked backlash and is not shared by party leadership. Critics have questioned how such a policy would function in practice.
Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer defended her candidacy. “Kate Nevens is one of the top candidates that we’re running in this election,” he said, adding that her experience working in conflict zones is valuable.
In the same interview, Nevens criticized members of Reform UK, saying those she had encountered “can’t hold an argument” and describing them as “not very smart.” She added: “They are bad people, they’re capitalists, they’re racists, they’re misogynists. Reform are feeding these lies.”
She also commented on immigration debates, saying: “They’re talking about people coming over in small boats, when what we should be worried about is people coming over in yachts, the billionaires, right?”
Nevens criticized the British monarchy, saying it should have been abolished “centuries ago like all other sensible countries,” and added: “Right now, with all of the child abuse, you’re like wow, okay, this is the system we’re choosing to have?”
Opposition figures responded to the remarks. Sue Webber said: “These latest remarks confirm how out of touch the Greens are with people’s real priorities in Edinburgh.”
