India-born anthropologist Q. Manivannan has been elected to the Scottish Parliament as a member of the Scottish Greens, representing Edinburgh and Lothians East.
Originally from Tamil Nadu, Manivannan identifies as non-binary and campaigned on a message of “care, compassion, and radical change” for working-class and marginalised communities.
“As a queer Tamil immigrant, I am standing to be an MSP to bring a politics of care and compassion to Holyrood,” Manivannan said during the campaign.
Their victory is also significant because recent changes in Scottish election rules now allow foreign nationals on valid visas to contest elections without permanent residency status.
Manivannan has worked with the United Nations, trade unions, and human rights organisations on disability inclusion, feminist urban planning, and social justice issues.
The Scottish Greens called the result a proud moment and defended Scotland’s inclusive approach toward migrants and visa holders.
