Greene signs for the Liberals... could this be huge?

The political landscape in Scotland could be on the verge of a major shift. Jamie Greene, a well-known and widely respected figure in Holyrood, has made headlines by switching allegiance from the Scottish Conservatives to the Scottish Liberal Democrats. His defection has sent ripples through the political sphere - not just because of the party switch, but because of who he is and what he represents.

Greene has long been seen as a thoughtful and principled voice in Scottish politics. Across party lines, he’s earned respect for standing by his beliefs, even when it hasn’t been easy. His decision to back trans rights during the heated debate on gender recognition was a clear example of his willingness to put values before party lines. At a time when the Conservative party in Scotland is moving further right - echoing the hardline rhetoric seen south of the border - Greene’s stance has stood out as one rooted in compassion, fairness, and conviction. These are values that resonate with a large number of Scots.

Scotland as a whole has little appetite for extremes. The growing lean of the Scottish Conservatives towards a more divisive, hardline agenda is increasingly out of step with the values held by many voters. Greene’s departure is a sharp signal that even within the party, this shift is causing discomfort. And for the Liberal Democrats, this could mark the start of something significant.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has praised Greene’s move, calling it courageous and a sign that the Lib Dems are the home for moderate, forward-thinking politics. “Liberal Democrats stand ready to fix our broken politics,” he’s said - a clear message that the party is looking to fill the middle ground that’s being abandoned by others. He also said, “We overtook the Scottish Tories at the general election... We can beat them at Holyrood too.”

Recent polling backs up the optimism. The SNP is projected to win around 53 seats - short of a majority - while the Liberal Democrats are on course to increase their numbers to 12. That’s a modest figure on paper, but in the context of Scottish politics, it could prove crucial. In a hung parliament scenario, the Lib Dems could hold the balance of power. The idea of a coalition with the SNP might be a stretch too far, but Cole-Hamilton has said he's open to “grown-up politics” and laying aside differences if it means delivering for voters.

What would it take for the Lib Dems to gain real power in Scotland? They’d need to keep winning over disillusioned voters - not just from the Conservatives, but also from Labour, which continues to struggle to make a meaningful impression north of the border. With Keir Starmer focused on winning over English swing voters, many Scots feel Labour is out of touch with the issues that matter in Scotland.

There’s still a long way to go until 2026… but Jamie Greene’s defection isn’t just a headline - it could be the first real sign of a political realignment. If the Liberal Democrats can build on this momentum, connect with moderate Scots, and present a clear vision for the country’s future, then we may look back on this moment as the start of something huge.