People across our city have shown an incredible amount of solidarity and hospitality over the years.
We saw it clear as day when friends and neighbours took to the streets to stand up to the Home Office on Kenmure Street, and we see it consistently within our neighbourhoods and local organisations every day.
There are many people and great organisations in Glasgow who work to support refugees and asylum seekers – the Scottish Refugee Council, Maryhill Integration Network, Bikes for Refugees and Refuweegee, to name but a few. Â
Only a couple of weeks ago I invited CEO and founder of Refuweegee, Selina Hales, as my local hero to our Parliament’s 25th anniversary celebrations, in recognition of all the work she and everyone else at the organisation do to make our city more welcoming. Â
But, as vital as this work is, the state imposes big limits on it.
There is only so much volunteers and community groups are able to do within the brutal, hostile environment that’s been created by UK governments, which has dehumanised and scapegoated vulnerable people for far too long.
People seeking asylum are banned from working and consigned to poverty for long periods while they wait for the Government to decide on their case.
That is why these organisations have rallied together, worked with MSPs from all parties and told us that amongst the many obstacles asylum seekers face, being mobile and being able to access services would be life changing.
They’ve explained what the real-life impact of being able to access a GP appointment or a hospital appointment means, what volunteering means for staying in contact with people, keeping a person’s motivation and skills fresh and alive, what access to education and English classes means, and what access to community and each other really means.
Free bus travel for asylum seekers would be a small but significant measure that reflects the values that we try to live up to as a society; one that actively listens to the voices and needs of the community and responds. Â
For now, Scotland does not hold the right to change the UK’s immigration system, but what we can do is think creatively to ensure our friends and neighbours can not only exist but thrive.
It was 12 months ago that the Scottish Government initially committed to rolling out free bus travel for all asylum seekers. In fact, I announced it at the Scottish Green Party conference last year. It was a monumental moment for refugee rights groups and campaigners and a glimmer of hope for many people. Â
It would be a small change that would reap huge benefits for people across Glasgow and beyond, making a profound impact on the quality of life of some of our most marginalised neighbours.
However, this August, after months of work by a lot of people, the policy was dropped by the Scottish Government.
It was a slap in the face for them, but even more so for the people who would benefit from it and were looking forward to it. Â
The scheme would cost a tiny fraction of the Government’s budget and already had funds earmarked. Â
That is why the Scottish Greens used some of our rare parliamentary time to bring a vote on it last week, and why our
Green councillors have advocated and prioritised this within
Glasgow City Council. In the end, and after hundreds of emails from people who shared our concerns, the SNP voted to support our motion recommitting to introduce the policy before the end of the current session of parliament.
It was an important step, but one that needs action and an implementation plan if they are to restore faith among those communities who felt so let down.
Our public transport needs a lot of improvement to make it reliable and affordable for everyone. Greens have made a big difference already, like making buses free for everyone under 22.
But free bus travel for asylum seekers would open up basic opportunities for people who have fled terrible circumstances, opportunities the rest of us take for granted.
The Government must deliver on the promise that it made. We can’t let them down again.