Covid, Conference and SNP Infighting
I didn't pay much attention to the recent SNP national conference which was held online because of the ongoing Covid restrictions in Scotland.
But The Times reports that supporters of Alex Salmond have wrestled control of its ruling body (NEC) away from the current leadership surrounding Nicola Sturgeon.
Craig Murray, another Salmond supporter was soundly beaten in the contest to become SNP president, but Craig still managed to win 20% of the vote despite controversial views which have been derided as political conspiracy theories.
Read the full story via the link below to The Times.
SNP CONFERENCE
Nicola Sturgeon faces SNP revolt after critics seize control of the NEC
Nicola Sturgeon and her supporters are set for clashes with new members of the national executive committee - Photo JANE BARLOWMILLIGAN/PA
By Kieran - The Times
The SNP has been split after Nicola Sturgeon lost the “soul” of the party, with rebels and allies of Alex Salmond taking controlof its ruling body.
Supporters of the first minister were organising fightbacks yesterday after critics of her leadership were elected to the national executive committee (NEC), which makes key decisions on candidate selections and policy.
It is likely that the independence strategy will be challenged, while the party’s stance on gender recognition reforms will again come into sharp focus.
Supporters of Mr Salmond have been highly critical of the party hierarchy.
Joanna Cherry, QC, the SNP’s home affairs spokeswoman at Westminster, who has criticised the closed leadership style of Ms Sturgeon, was elected back on to the NEC after a year’sabsence.
Last night she clashed with Kirsty Blackman, the party’s former deputy leader in the Commons, over trans-gender rights. Ms Blackman told Ms Cherry that trans and young people were “continuing to give up on the SNP because of your actions and the actions of other prominent members” during a heated exchange on social media.
Ms Cherry accused her of spreading falsehoods and breaching party rules. “I’ll ignore the ageism as I wouldn’t expect a privileged young straight woman to know what it was like for lesbians in the Eighties,” she said.
The SNP has been split after Nicola Sturgeon lost the “soul” of the party, with rebels and allies of Alex Salmond taking controlof its ruling body.
Supporters of the first minister were organising fightbacks yesterday after critics of her leadership were elected to the national executive committee (NEC), which makes key decisions on candidate selections and policy.
It is likely that the independence strategy will be challenged, while the party’s stance on gender recognition reforms will again come into sharp focus.
Supporters of Mr Salmond have been highly critical of the party hierarchy.
Joanna Cherry, QC, the SNP’s home affairs spokeswoman at Westminster, who has criticised the closed leadership style of Ms Sturgeon, was elected back on to the NEC after a year’sabsence.
Last night she clashed with Kirsty Blackman, the party’s former deputy leader in the Commons, over trans-gender rights. Ms Blackman told Ms Cherry that trans and young people were “continuing to give up on the SNP because of your actions and the actions of other prominent members” during a heated exchange on social media.
Ms Cherry accused her of spreading falsehoods and breaching party rules. “I’ll ignore the ageism as I wouldn’t expect a privileged young straight woman to know what it was like for lesbians in the Eighties,” she said.
