Scottish independence: Greens give their backing to YesScotland corner THE Scottish Greens have said they intend to back the YesScotland campaign for independence. At their party conference in Glasgow yesterday, the Greens agreed to join up with the SNP and other figures in the "YesScotland" movement, created earlier this year. They also announced plans to lobby to replace the Queen as head of state and create a separate Scottish currency. The decision to support YesScotland reverses previous Green opposition to the group, which co-convener Patrick Harvie had criticised for failing to engage in "relationship-building" among different ­political parties. Yesterday, he said the campaign had "evolved into the sort of organisation it should have been from day one." Party members were "not nationalists," he said. But he added: "We can see huge opportunities to make our country fairer and greener." However, there was opposition from the party's former convener, ex-MSP Robin Harper who said he was no longer "gung-ho" about independence. The conference agreed that members who did not support independence would be able to campaign individually as they see fit. At the start of its two-day conference, the 120 members present also backed a bid to abolish the monarchy in an independent Scotland. In its place, the Greens said they would prefer a titular head of state, similar to the role played by the Irish president. The party also backed a call to move gradually to a new Scottish currency. Under the Green plan, a newly-independent Scotland would use sterling for an initial period, with a planned transfer to the new currency soon after. The Greens also reiterated their opposition to an independent Scotland joining the Nato nuclear alliance. It comes with the SNP leaders seeking to persuade their own members to reverse the party's own opposition to Nato, with defence spokesman Angus Robertson insisting a newly-independent country must show it can be an ally to other neighbouring Nato ­countries. A further vote put the party on a conflicting path to the YesScotland campaign by continuing its support for a multi- option referendum, in which extended devolution is also offered as a choice to voters. The move to join the "Yes" campaign was backed by other pro-independence figures last night, with Robertson, who is leading the SNP bid to back Nato, among those saying he welcomed the Green decision to join the campaign. Harvie said: "Today's decision ensures that Greens take a front-row seat in this exciting debate, promoting fresh and radical ideas on Scotland's future. Greens are not nationalists, and we're not motivated by devotion to one flag or the other. He added: "But we can see huge opportunities to make our country fairer and greener. We look forward to working with Yes Scotland to set out a transformational vision for Scotland's society, economy and environment, and building a campaign to win. On Nato, he added: "Greens are clear in our steadfast opposition to Scotland remaining in the Nato nuclear club and committing billions of pounds on an outdated approach to defence. Over the next two years, we will argue for a vision of Scotland as a peaceful country with social justice, equality and environmental protection at its core. However, Harper, the most high-profile Green MSP since devolution said: "I started in the party in 1985 and fought a European election where we supported Scottish independence outside Europe. I've given most of these issues consideration on an almost weekly basis for most of my life since then. As happens, people change their minds. I'm afraid I'm not gung-ho about independence at all. Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins said the Scottish Greens would now be invited to nominate a member to join the Yes Scotland Advisory Board when it meets next month. He said: "We are delighted that the Scottish Greens have decided to come on board. They will be a great asset to the campaign to deliver a Yes vote in 2014. The group's chairman, Dennis Canavan, added: "Yes Scotland is a very broad and inclusive church, comprising people with many shades of political opinion and none but united in their belief that independence is the best option for Scotland and the Scottish ­people." The party also decided to form its own pro-independence campaign to run alongside Yes Scotland, designed to promote distinct policies. It comes with a Radical Independence Conference set to take place next month which set out the case for a left-wing republic.