THE Scottish Greens' candidate Mark Ruskell has put forth an argument for strengthening communities and bringing together.

The party's Scotland Can campaign has been launched with a view to empower a "bold and ambitious" Scottish Government – equipped with new powers in the next parliament.

Mr Ruskell, who served as a list MSP previously, said: "This Thursday, we have the chance to cast our vote for what sort of Scotland we want to see over the next four years.

"The Holyrood parliament has already changed many aspects of daily life in Scotland, but the coming powers will allow us to do so much more. The Scottish Greens are calling for a bold, ambitious Holyrood that uses its powers to the full to make peoples lives better, now."

He added: "A strong group of Green MSPs in Holyrood will work with all parties to push their ambition and vision for what Scotland can do for all our citizens.

"Scotland can empower local communities, giving them greater control over land and facilities, and ensuring they have a say in decisions that affect them.

"We stand by the Tullibody Park campaigners, and will support both them and communities across the region who want to take control over valued green space and community buildings.

"Green MSPs will support investment in public planning services, community led development plans and extra safeguards to make sure participation in the planning process is respected."

Mr Ruskell also spoke connectivity, and called for "fast affordable" travel being a possibility for all.

He said: "We wholeheartedly support the re-opening of the Alloa to Dunfermline railway link, which would be a huge boost to the local economy, allowing people to choose where they work and live, and where businesses invest. Combining investment in new railway links with the regulation of bus services and bringing rail back into public hands can create an affordable, reliable transport system."

On tax policy, Mr Ruskell said: "Scotland can use our new powers over taxation to fund public services and tackle inequality. Services such as health, schools and social care are the bedrock of our society, and for too long they have been starved of the vital funding they need.

"The Greens are the only party proposing fair and progressive tax reform, asking those earning over £150,000 to pay more, whilst giving a tax cut to those earning under £26,500. We are also proposing scrapping the broken and unfair council tax, replacing it with a residential property tax that allows our local authorities to raise much needed revenue and decide how best to spend it for local people."

He continued: "And Scotland can ban fracking once and for all. Green MSPs have never supported fracking and never will. We need a managed transition away from fossil fuel dependence starting now.

"The SNP's moratorium on the issue is nowhere near enough. We can use the National Planning Framework and the coming powers over licensing to implement a ban on fracking and all unconventional gas extraction in the Forth Valley and right across Scotland.

"A transition away from fossil fuels doesn't have to mean an end to our world leading energy industry though. Investment in clean, green industries could see the creation of over 200,000 new jobs in energy generation, design and research.

"We can become world leaders not only in renewable energy, but in the decommissioning of old industries including North Sea oil.

"Our plans for a Greener Grangemouth would see this area remain a key player in our economy, increasing investment in the research, development and demonstration of alternative bio-based feedstocks at Grangemouth to reduce dependency on petrochemicals."