Full Breakdown
Scottish Greens Face Visa-Related Candidate Selection Dispute
5/20/2026, 10:57:49 PM
Visa-Related Candidate Withdrawal Controversy
NUS Scotland president Sai Shraddha Suresh Viswanathan says Scottish Greens officials asked her to withdraw from the Holyrood election because her student visa might not guarantee residence for term. In contrast, student-visa holder Q Manivannan was cleared to stand in Edinburgh and Lothians East and won a seat.
Legal Context
In 2024 Scotland amended election law to allow candidates without permanent UK residency to run for Holyrood, while retaining a clause that disqualifies MSPs who lose the legal right to remain in United Kingdom during the five-year term.
Main Actors
Viswanathan, an Indian-origin student leader; Q Manivannan, elected Green MSP; the Scottish Greens Party; and Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr, who criticised the handling.
Timeline
July 2025 – Viswanathan receives a phone call urging withdrawal. May 7 – Holyrood election; Manivannan wins, Greens secure 15 MSPs. Post-election – Party backs Manivannan’s graduate-visa application.
Data & Statistics
The Greens elected a record 15 MSPs; only one Green MSP was elected in the North East, a seat Viswanathan sought. Both candidates held student visas.
Official Statements & Responses
The party spokesperson said candidates must confirm their own legal eligibility, including visa status, before standing. The Greens denied systematic blocking, affirmed no candidate was barred, and pledged to help Manivannan obtain a graduate visa.
Criticism & Opposition
Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr called the episode “a blatant case of double standards,” urging the Greens to explain why different rules applied to two candidates with identical visa circumstances.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Candidates are responsible for ensuring they meet all legal and eligibility requirements before standing for election, including any matters relating to their own visa status.” — Scottish Greens spokesperson
- “He added: "It appears to be a blatant case of double standards, and they should explain why there was one rule put in place for one prospective candidate and a different one for another candidate.” — Stephen Kerr, Conservative MSP
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Viswanathan says party advice to withdraw stemmed from legal concerns about her visa; the Greens maintain no candidate was blocked for immigration reasons. Sources do not reveal whether the advice came from formal counsel or internal discretion, and no independent audit of the selection process is available.
What’s Next
The Greens will continue to support Manivannan’s graduate-visa application and have signalled a willingness to review internal guidance on candidate eligibility. Opposition parties and media are expected to monitor the party’s handling of visa-related candidacies ahead of future elections.
