The investigation into the SNP's finances is making incredibly slow progress. Here is a recap The inquiry began in 2021 with a complaint that £600,000 contributed by supporters to a campaign fund for a new independence referendum was actually spent on fighting the Holyrood election of that year. In April 2023, the investigation team visited - or perhaps ‘swooped’ or ‘raided’ … [Read more...] about The gift nobody wants to open
SNP
The SNP must get serious on tax
Last weekend the SNP Conference overwhelmingly passed a strong motion on progressive and redistributive tax measures proposed by its largest affiliate body, the Trade Union Group. This set out the direction Scottish Government needs to take in order to mitigate cuts and to address austerity, under-resourced public services, the continuing cost-of-living crisis, impending pay … [Read more...] about The SNP must get serious on tax
Is Scotland heading for an early election?
Two elections will be uppermost in delegates' minds when the SNP stages its annual conference in Edinburgh this weekend: the July 4 general election when the party suffered a crushing defeat and the May 2026 election for the Scottish Parliament when it fears it may suffer a similarly disastrous outcome, losing power after almost two decades. Another key event, Tuesday's … [Read more...] about Is Scotland heading for an early election?
SNP ‘Company Man’ can’t save the party he loves
John Swinney can be credited for stepping into the breach at challenging times for the SNP. He joined the SNP and became active aged 15 just after traumatic defeats for the SNP in 1979. The turmoil following the 1979 devolution referendum led to a general election in which the SNP lost nine of its eleven seats and its vote fell from 30% to 17%. His first election campaign … [Read more...] about SNP ‘Company Man’ can’t save the party he loves
Swinney a shoo-in? Nae thanks
The Scottish National Party is increasingly mirroring the party it claims most to hate, the Conservatives, in its propensity for choosing the wrong leader and floundering around in a quandary largely of its own making. Three leaders in one unfinished parliamentary term and each new one imposed without any public imprimatur. As Yousaf prepares to resign as First Minister - at … [Read more...] about Swinney a shoo-in? Nae thanks