A NEW left-wing alliance has insisted it will return its first MSPs in May after its chances were written off by the Scottish Greens.

Patrick Harvie, the Green co-convenor, said he was not concerned by the challenge of RISE as a battle for the second votes of SNP supporters intensifies.

However, the coalition, which has been dubbed the 'Scottish Syriza' and is advocating a second independence referendum by 2021 and higher taxes on the rich, said it was set to launch a mass canvassing campaign which it believed would secure seats.

A key battleground of the May election is the race for regional votes with parties hoping to win over electors who

plan to back the SNP with their constituency ballot.

The nationalists' dominance in constituencies means they will struggle to win many list seats due to Holyrood's voting system, leading smaller pro-independence parties to ask SNP supporters to lend them their second votes.

Jonathon Shafi, RISE National Organiser, said the coalition that includes the Scottish Socialist Party had already developed a network of local groups that would deliver a "extensive and professional campaign".

He added: "In the coming weeks, we will launch a referendum-style mass canvassing programme, which will reach into parts of the country that other parties tend to overlook.

"If we get MSPs elected in May - and we fully intend to - they will work side by side with the Greens on a range of key issues. We're sure that Patrick Harvie would agree that the Scottish Parliament would benefit from a wider spread of radical voices."