Right. Let's get this over with. You want to know about the Scottish National Party. Fine. Just try not to expect any enthusiasm from me.

Scottish National Party

Also known as: SNP (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba)

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is, for better or worse, a significant political force in Scotland. It's a party that thrives on the idea of Scottish independence, a concept that’s as persistent as a damp chill in a tenement building. They champion social democracy, which, if you squint hard enough, can look like a genuine attempt at progress, or just a well-dressed veneer for something else entirely.

Leadership: They’ve had their share of leaders, each leaving their own peculiar mark. Currently, John Swinney is at the helm. Before him, Humza Yousaf held the reins, and before that, Nicola Sturgeon occupied the position for a rather lengthy stretch. You've also got Keith Brown as Depute Leader and Stephen Flynn leading their contingent in Westminster. And then there's Maureen Watt, the President, if you care about such things.

Founded: This whole endeavour kicked off on April 7, 1934. That's 91 years ago, a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things, but long enough to forge a distinct identity. It was a merger, you see, of the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party. Two factions, probably bickering even then, finally deciding to pool their grievances.

Headquarters: Gordon Lamb House, 3 Jackson's Entry, Edinburgh, EH8 8PJ. A physical address, where they presumably gather to plot and strategize, or perhaps just argue over who left the kettle on.

Membership: As of June 2025, they claimed 56,011 members. That’s a number. It fluctuates, of course. People join, people leave. It’s a bit like a revolving door at a particularly bleak bus station.

Ideology: At its core, it's about Scottish nationalism and, naturally, Scottish independence. They also dabble in social democracy. It’s a blend, a cocktail of aspirations. They position themselves as centre-left, which, in the political landscape, means they're not quite on the fringes, but not exactly mainstream either. They're members of the European Free Alliance, which sounds rather grand, doesn't it?

Colours: Yellow. And Black. A stark combination, like a warning sign.

Anthem: "Scots Wha Hae". A bit dramatic, a bit rousing. Perfect for impassioned speeches.

Representation:

• House of Commons: 9 out of the 57 Scottish seats. Not a majority, but enough to make some noise.
• Scottish Parliament: 60 out of 129 seats. They hold power, or at least a significant chunk of it.
• Local Councillors: 414 out of 1,226 across Scotland. They're embedded in the local fabric, for better or worse.
• Councils Led: They lead 13 out of 32 councils in Scotland. They're not just talking about change; they're enacting it, or trying to.

Website: snp.org. If you really must.

History

Main article: History of the Scottish National Party

Foundation and Early Breakthroughs (1934–1970)

The SNP, as I mentioned, was born from a union. Alexander MacEwen, their first leader, guided them in those nascent years. The party faced its first real test during the Second World War. Some wanted to refuse conscription, a move that was, shall we say, unpopular. This led to a split, with John MacCormick departing to form the Scottish Covenant Association, a group focused on a Scottish Assembly.

Despite internal turmoil, they managed their first parliamentary win in the Motherwell by-election in 1945. But that seat was lost in the subsequent general election. The 1950s were a lean period, a time of few candidates and even fewer victories. The 1960s, however, offered a glimmer of hope. Credible performances in by-elections at Glasgow Bridgeton, West Lothian, and Glasgow Pollok set the stage for Winnie Ewing's seismic victory in the 1967 Hamilton by-election. This, a previously safe Labour seat, catapulted the SNP into the national spotlight and prompted the establishment of the Kilbrandon Commission.

Becoming a Notable Force (1970s)

The 1970s were, for the SNP, a period of considerable growth. Despite a disappointing 1970 general election where Ewing lost her seat, they did manage to capture the Western Isles with Donald Stewart. That changed in 1973 with Margo MacDonald's win in the Glasgow Govan by-election, taking a seat that had always been Labour's.

1974 was, as they say, an annus mirabilis. The party ran its famous "It's Scotland's oil" campaign, a slogan that resonated with a populace feeling left behind. They secured six seats in February and eleven in the October general election, polling nearly a third of the Scottish vote. This success spilled into local government too, with control of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

The momentum continued through the mid-70s. By the 1977 district elections, they were winning seats in East Kilbride and Falkirk, and even held the balance of power in Glasgow. However, this upward trajectory couldn't last. By 1978, Labour was showing signs of a revival, evidenced in several by-elections.

In 1976, the SNP struck a deal with James Callaghan's minority government. Support in the Commons in exchange for action on devolution. The Scotland Act 1978 was the result, proposing a Scottish assembly, but it hinged on a referendum. Despite a "yes" majority, a stringent threshold, championed by Labour MP George Cunningham, meant it failed. When the government didn't implement the Act, the SNP withdrew their support, contributing to the fall of Callaghan's government. The subsequent 1979 general election saw a drastic decline in their fortunes, reducing them to just two MPs. Those heady days of 1974 wouldn't be matched again until 2015.

Factional Divisions and Infighting (1980s)

The defeat of 1979 plunged the party into a period of internal conflict. The 79 Group emerged, pushing for a more explicitly left-wing stance. This clashed with the traditionalists, like Winnie Ewing, who formed the Campaign for Nationalism in Scotland, advocating for a broader, less ideologically rigid approach.

Despite these internal struggles, the party saw a shift leftwards, partly due to the merger with Jim Sillars' Scottish Labour Party (SLP). Gordon Wilson remained leader through the electoral disappointments of 1983 and 1987. Sillars, however, gained influence, pushing for "Independence in Europe," a reversal of their previous stance against the EEC. His recapture of Glasgow Govan in a 1988 by-election solidified this shift.

Yet, the SNP remained outside the Scottish Constitutional Convention, the body that drafted plans for a devolved parliament, due to disagreements over discussing independence as a constitutional option.

First Salmond Era (1990s)

Alex Salmond took the leadership in 1990, a surprising victory over the establishment favourite, Margaret Ewing. His leadership, however, couldn't prevent another general election setback in 1992, with their parliamentary representation shrinking.

The mid-90s saw some gains, including control of Tayside in the 1994 regional elections – a sole instance of them leading a regional council, albeit without a majority. The 1997 general election was their best in 23 years, though still overshadowed by the Labour landslide. That September, they were instrumental in the "Yes-Yes" campaign for the devolution referendum, paving the way for the Scottish Parliament.

However, the 1999 elections to this new parliament were a disappointment. Salmond's unpopular stance on NATO intervention in Kosovo contributed to a reduced number of MSPs.

Opposing Labour-Liberal Democrat Coalitions (1999–2007)

This meant the SNP found themselves in the role of official opposition, facing a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition. Salmond found the shift to a more consensus-driven politics challenging and, in 2000, returned to Westminster, handing the leadership to John Swinney. Swinney's tenure was marked by electoral setbacks, losing an MP in 2001 and a further drop in MSPs in 2003, even with the Officegate scandal impacting the governing Labour party.

After an unsuccessful leadership challenge in 2003 and disappointing European election results, Swinney stepped down. Salmond returned as leader in the subsequent contest, with Nicola Sturgeon elected Depute Leader.

Salmond Governments (2007–2014)

The 2007 Scottish Parliament election marked a turning point. The SNP emerged as the largest party, with Alex Salmond becoming First Minister. They formed a minority government, initially supported by the Scottish Greens, who backed the tabling of the climate change bill. Budgetary deals were often struck with the Scottish Conservatives to maintain power.

By-elections during this period showed an upward trend for the SNP. The 2008 Glasgow East by-election saw a significant swing to the party, taking a seat that had been safely Labour for decades.

Then came the 2011 Scottish Parliament election. The SNP achieved an outright majority, a remarkable feat. This success also saw a shift in their stance on NATO, with policy reversing its previous opposition.

This majority paved the way for the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence. The "No" vote prevailed, a result that prompted Alex Salmond's resignation as First Minister. While independence wasn't achieved, 45% of Scots had voted for it.

Following Salmond's departure, Nicola Sturgeon was elected leader unopposed.

Sturgeon Years (2014–2023)

The 2015 general election was a spectacular success for the SNP under Sturgeon's leadership. They went from six MPs to a staggering 56, securing 50% of the Scottish vote. It was a clean sweep, a political earthquake that reshaped the Westminster landscape.

The 2016 Scottish election saw them lose their majority, returning as a minority government. However, they still secured more seats than any other party. This was followed by the 2016 EU referendum, where Scotland overwhelmingly voted to Remain. The SNP, along with the Liberal Democrats and Greens, advocated for continued UK membership.

Despite a surge in the Conservative vote in 2017, the SNP took control of Scotland's four largest city councils: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

The 2017 general election was a setback. They lost 21 seats, bringing their Westminster contingent down to 35. This was largely attributed to their stance on a second independence referendum, which seemed to alienate some voters. High-profile losses included former leader Alex Salmond.

However, they bounced back in the 2019 European Parliament election, achieving their best result ever, and again in the 2019 general election, securing 48 seats. This was seen as a mandate for another independence referendum.

The 2021 Scottish election saw them win 64 seats, one short of a majority, but with a record vote share. They formed another minority government, this time with the support of the Scottish Greens through a power-sharing agreement. This Third Sturgeon government aimed to push for independence.

Meanwhile, Operation Branchform began investigating the SNP's finances, a shadow hanging over the party. In February 2023, Sturgeon announced her resignation.

Yousaf Era (March 2023 – May 2024)

Humza Yousaf emerged as the new leader in March 2023, winning a contest against Kate Forbes. His premiership was immediately mired in controversy, particularly surrounding the Gender Recognition Reform Bill and the fallout from the collapse of the power-sharing agreement with the Greens.

In October 2023, MP Lisa Cameron defected to the Scottish Conservatives, citing a "toxic and bullying" culture. The SNP National Conference subsequently voted for Yousaf's independence strategy.

On April 25, 2024, the Bute House Agreement with the Greens was ended. Yousaf resigned as First Minister and SNP leader a few days later.

Operation Branchform

This investigation into SNP finances cast a long shadow. Peter Murrell, Sturgeon's husband and former CEO, was arrested in April 2023, and later charged with embezzlement in April 2024. Colin Beattie, the party treasurer, was also arrested. The party's auditors resigned, citing issues with original records.

Swinney Era (May 2024 onwards)

John Swinney became SNP leader unopposed in May 2024, subsequently becoming First Minister. The party faced scrutiny over alleged misuse of expenses for campaigning.

The 2024 general election was a disaster for the SNP. They lost 38 seats, reduced to nine, falling behind Scottish Labour as the second-largest party in Scotland. Swinney took responsibility, acknowledging the need for "soul searching" and admitting they were "not winning the argument" on independence.

In November 2024, the party announced significant staff cuts at its headquarters to manage its finances, a consequence of reduced Short Money and increased reliance on membership fees.

Constitution and Structure

The SNP is organized into local Branches, which form Constituency Associations. These associations then send delegates to the annual National Conference, the party's supreme governing body. The National Executive Committee is elected at this conference. Affiliated organisations, such as Young Scots for Independence and SNP Students, also play a role. Regular National Assemblies provide a forum for policy discussion.

Membership

Membership surged dramatically after the 2014 independence referendum, peaking around 2019 at about 125,000. Since then, it has seen a significant decline, falling to below 70,000 by the end of 2023 and continuing to drop.

European Affiliation

The SNP is a member of the European Free Alliance (EFA), a group of regionalist parties. They previously worked with groups like the European Progressive Democrats and the Rainbow Group. As the UK has left the EU, the SNP no longer has MEPs.

Policies

Ideology

The SNP's ideology has evolved. Initially a broad church, it gradually embraced social democracy. The party is united by its core goal of Scottish independence and rejoining the European Union. They've had internal debates about the pace and method of achieving independence, often described as the 'fundamentalists' versus the 'gradualists'.

Economy

The "It's Scotland's oil" slogan from the 1970s is a reminder of their early economic focus. More recently, they've adjusted income tax rates, introduced the LBTT (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax) to replace Stamp Duty, and established Revenue Scotland to manage devolved taxes. They've also championed progressive local taxation and offered support for businesses through Business Rates reductions. The party's economic policy is broad, reflecting the diverse opinions within a party focused on independence.

Social Justice

The SNP's stance on social justice has also evolved. While there was historical opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, they have since legislated for same-sex marriage and been recognised for their progress on LGBT+ equality. The Gender Recognition Reform Bill proved divisive. The party supports gender equality and has implemented measures like all-women shortlists. They also support multiculturalism and have advocated for increased immigration to address population decline.

Foreign Affairs and Defence

The SNP has moved towards supporting Atlanticist institutions like NATO, though they remain opposed to nuclear weapons on Scottish soil. Pro-Europeanism is central to their platform, and they strongly opposed Brexit. They advocate for an independent Scotland to be a member of both the EU and NATO. The party has also taken a firm stance against Russian interference and supports international development, particularly in Malawi.

Health and Education

The SNP is committed to the public service nature of NHS Scotland, opposing privatisation. They've introduced initiatives like universal baby boxes and expanded free childcare. Hospital parking and prescription charges have been abolished. Scotland was the first country to introduce alcohol minimum unit pricing. They've also moved towards liberalising drugs policy.

In education, they abolished tuition fees but have faced criticism for cutting funding to further education and for declining educational standards. The Curriculum for Excellence has undergone review.

Constitution

The SNP's fundamental goal is Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. They advocate for a constitutionalist approach, seeking a negotiated path rather than unilateral action. They support increased devolution in the interim. While many members are republicans, the party officially supports the monarchy, though proposals to reduce royal spending have been made. They oppose the House of Lords and advocate for proportional representation in elections.

Fundamentalists and Gradualists

This internal division centres on the approach to independence. 'Gradualists' favour incremental gains in power for the Scottish Parliament, while 'fundamentalists' believe the party should more forcefully and consistently advocate for independence to persuade the public.

Leadership

The party has a detailed history of its leaders and deputy leaders. The list is long, each name representing a chapter in the SNP's journey. From Alexander MacEwen in 1934 to the current leadership of John Swinney, the lineage is clear. The roles of President and National Secretary also have their own histories.

Scottish Parliament

The SNP has been the dominant party in the Scottish Parliament since 2007. As of May 2024, they form the Scottish Government, with John Swinney as First Minister. The current cabinet reflects their policy priorities.

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Following the 2024 general election, the SNP holds nine seats in the House of Commons. Stephen Flynn leads their Westminster group.

Local Government

The SNP has a significant presence in local government across Scotland, holding a substantial number of councillors and leading numerous councils. Their performance in 2022 saw them remain the largest party.

Electoral Performance

The tables detail the SNP's electoral performance in the Scottish Parliament, the House of Commons, local councils, and European Parliament elections. They show the highs and lows, the surges and the retreats.

See Also

A list of related topics, including Scottish devolution, Politics of Scotland, and various internal party groups and campaigns.

Notes

Clarifications and specific details regarding ministerial portfolios and election results.