Without a clear path to independence, the Scottish National Party is discovering it agrees on little else
His theory helps explain a present-day upheaval. A revolution is tearing through the Scottish National Party , which has governed Scotland since 2007. The extent of the party’s disarray is stunning. Yet in hindsight it is also wholly predictable: the list of internal disputes is long and the weaknesses of theself-evident. The scale of preference falsification during the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon is now on full display; a party whose main strength seemed to be iron discipline is letting rip.
on February 15th, after serving eight years as first minister and seven years before that as deputy first minister. That triggered a leadership contest in which the three candidates have turned on the party’s record in office, its administrators and each other. The new leader, who will be announced on March 27th, will inherit a demoralised party and an independence cause whose support appears to be sagging. Depending on who it is, some even warn of a split in the party.
Several camouflaged weaknesses have been exposed. Ms Sturgeon ran a highly centralised operation with Peter Murrell, her husband and long the. This is the party’s first contested leadership election since 2004; Ms Sturgeon was unopposed in 2014. Rebellions and resignations were rare.s and members resented this centralisation, but tolerated it as a precondition for electoral success and as a useful contrast with more chaotic opponents.
Ms Sturgeon’s dominance has now caught up with the party. It prevented the emergence of an experienced field of successors and left the party with weak institutional capacity. It may also have led to mismanagement. Accused of lying to the press about a steep fall in party membership, Mr Murrell resigned on March 18th; the’s head of media has also quit. Police are separately investigating how party funds have been used.’s founding purpose, is another source of fragility.
Ash Regan, campaigning on the slogan “Independence—nothing less”, has claimed Scotland could separate without a referendum; she has issued mock-ups of a new currency, decorated with unicorns and wildcats. Humza Yousaf, the’s health secretary, who is regarded as a moderate, has implicitly described Westminster as a “foreign government”.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nicola Sturgeon makes plea for SNP unity, and more 'kindness' in politics, as she departsNicola Sturgeon has issued a plea for unity within the SNP after an often bitter leadership contest, in her final statement at Holyrood before standing down as First Minister
Read more »
Nicola Sturgeon leaves behind ‘mixed’ legacy for Scotland and SNP\n\t\t\tGet local insights from Lisbon to Moscow with an unrivalled network of journalists across Europe,\n\t\t\texpert analysis, our dedicated ‘Brussels Briefing’ newsletter. Customise your myFT page to track\n\t\t\tthe countries of your choice.\n\t\t
Read more »
Janey Godley marks three years since her first Nicola Sturgeon voiceoverThe Scots comedian posted her first Nicola Sturgeon voiceover three years ago today, and this afternoon the First Minister.
Read more »
Emotional Nicola Sturgeon wipes away tear in final speech as Scotland's First MinisterEmotional Nicola Sturgeon fought back tears after delivering her final speech to the Scottish Parliament as First Minister.
Read more »
Nicola Sturgeon faces stormy final FMQs as Anas Sarwar calls for early electionThe out-going First Minister saw her record in office attacked by opposition parties today as she prepares to leave Bute House.
Read more »
Nicola Sturgeon defends her record at final FMQsThe first minister was accused of failures on education, the NHS and ferries in her 286th and final session.
Read more »