65-561: Robert Hardie Bruce Crawford (born 16 February 1955) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who served as Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy from 2011 to 2012, having held the junior ministerial position of Minister for Parliamentary Business from 2007 to 2011. Crawford served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Stirling from 2007 to 2021, having previously represented
130-791: A Scottish assembly, subject to a referendum. Labour, the Liberals and the SNP campaigned for a "yes" vote in the referendum on the Scotland Act and "yes" won a majority, but a threshold imposed by anti-devolution Labour MP George Cunningham requiring 40% of the electorate to be in favour was not reached due to low turnout. When the government decided not to implement the Act, the SNP's MPs withdrew their support and voted to support Margaret Thatcher's motion of no confidence in Callaghan's government. In
195-457: A contest with Margaret Ewing . This was a surprise victory as Ewing had the backing of much of the party establishment, including Sillars and then-Party Secretary John Swinney . The defection of Labour MP Dick Douglas further evidenced the party's clear left-wing positioning, particularly regarding opposition to the poll tax . Despite this, Salmond's leadership was unable to avert a fourth successive general election disappointment in 1992 with
260-561: A loss of 39 seats on its 2019 result, reducing it to the second-largest party in Scotland, behind Scottish Labour , and the fourth-largest party in Westminster. Swinney took full responsibility but said that he would not resign as leader. He said of the results, "There will have to be a lot of soul searching as a party as a consequence of these results that have come in tonight", and that the SNP has to be "better at governing on behalf of
325-427: A minority government despite gaining an additional 1.1% of the constituency vote, for the party's best-ever result, from the 2011 election however 2.3% of the regional list vote. On the constituency vote, the SNP gained a net 10 seats from Labour. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats each gained two constituency seats from the SNP on 2011. This election was followed by the 2016 European Union referendum , after which
390-497: A report in relation to Murrell and that an investigation into two other individuals "a man aged 72 and a 53-year-old woman" were still ongoing. On 6 May 2024, John Swinney was confirmed as the new leader of the Scottish National Party in the 2024 Scottish National Party leadership election . He was unopposed in the race as on 2 May his main speculated challenger, Kate Forbes , announced she would not stand in
455-486: A surge in support at the 2019 general election , winning a 45.0% share of the vote and 48 seats, its second-best result ever. The party gained seven seats from the Conservatives and 6 from Labour. This victory was generally attributed to Sturgeon's cautious approach regarding holding a second independence referendum and a strong emphasis on retaining EU membership during the election campaign. The following January,
520-474: A swing to the unionist parties, with seats being picked up by the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats and a reduction in their majorities in the other seats. High-profile losses included SNP Commons leader Angus Robertson and former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond . The SNP went on to achieve its best-ever European Parliament result in the final election before Brexit ,
585-480: A third of all votes in Scotland and returning 11 MPs to Westminster. Furthermore, during that year's local elections the party claimed overall control of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth . This success was to continue for much of the decade, and at the 1977 district elections the SNP saw victories at councils including East Kilbride and Falkirk and held the balance of power in Glasgow . However, this level of support
650-554: A vote was to be held by the Scottish Greens on whether to continue the agreement. Four days later, Yousaf announced that he would be resigning as Leader of the Scottish National Party and as First Minister of Scotland. In April 2023, two SNP officials were arrested and released without charge in connection with the investigation into Scottish National Party finances . Peter Murrell was arrested on 5 April and Colin Beattie,
715-753: Is a member of the European Free Alliance (EFA). The SNP was formed in 1934 through the merger of the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party , with the Duke of Montrose and Cunninghame Graham as its first joint presidents. Alexander MacEwen was its first chairman. The party was divided on its approach to the Second World War . Professor Douglas Young , who was SNP leader from 1942 to 1945, campaigned for
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#1732801643528780-521: Is composed of: There are also regular meetings of the National Assembly, which provides a forum for detailed discussions of party policy by party members. The SNP experienced a large surge in membership following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum . In 2013, the party's membership stood at just 20,000, but that number had swelled to over 100,000 by 2015. Party membership peaked in 2019 at around 125,000. Annual accounts submitted by
845-570: The 2007 Scottish Parliament election , Crawford gained the Stirling seat from the Labour Party . The SNP's combined electoral success put them in minority government, and Crawford was appointed to the junior ministerial position of Minister for Parliamentary Business , a position that he held until the end of the parliamentary session. Crawford was returned to the Stirling constituency in
910-422: The 2007 Scottish Parliament election , forming a minority government , before going on to win the 2011 Parliament election , after which it formed Holyrood 's first majority government . After Scotland voted against independence in the 2014 referendum , Salmond resigned and was succeeded by Nicola Sturgeon . The SNP achieved a record number of 56 seats in Westminster after the 2015 general election to become
975-475: The 2008 Glasgow East by-election , in which the SNP's John Mason took the third safest Labour seat in Scotland on a 22.5% swing. In May 2011 , the SNP won an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament with 69 seats. This was followed by a reverse in the party's previous opposition to NATO membership at the party's annual conference in 2012 despite Salmond's refusal to apologise for the Kosovo broadcast on
1040-586: The 2011 election . On 19 May 2011, Crawford became the Cabinet Secretary for Parliamentary Business and Government Strategy , departing from this role on 5 September 2012. Crawford was Convener of the Referendum (Scotland) Bill Committee 25 October 2012 – 29 October 2014 and then Convener of the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee 29 October 2014 – 23 March 2016. Crawford was re-elected in
1105-426: The 2016 election . On 18 February 2020, he announced that he would stand down as an MSP at the 2021 election. Crawford and his wife, Jacqueline, have three sons. Scottish National Party The Scottish National Party ( SNP ; Scottish Gaelic : Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba [ˈpʰaːrˠtʰi ˈn̪ˠaːʃən̪ˠt̪ə nə ˈhal̪ˠapə] ) is a Scottish nationalist and social democratic party. The party holds 62 of
1170-399: The 2017 general election , the SNP underperformed compared to polling expectations, losing 21 seats to bring their number of Commons seats down to 35 – however, this was still the party's second-best result ever at the time. This was largely attributed by many, including former Deputy First Minister John Swinney, to their stance on holding a second Scottish independence referendum and saw
1235-664: The COVID-19 pandemic as well as pushing for a second referendum on independence. Although they won with a majority in 2021, a majority of MSPs elected had come from parties that supported Scottish independence; this prompted negotiations between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party to secure a deal that would see Green ministers appointed to government and the Scottish Greens backing SNP policies, with hopes that this united front on independence would solidify
1300-461: The Campaign for Nationalism in Scotland which sought to ensure that the primary objective of the SNP was campaigning for independence without a traditional left-right orientation, even though this would have undone the work of figures such as William Wolfe , who developed a clearly social democratic policy platform throughout the 1970s. These events ensured the success of a leadership motion at
1365-585: The Greens as well as civil society in the Scottish Constitutional Convention which developed a blueprint for a devolved Scottish Parliament due to the unwillingness of the convention to discuss independence as a constitutional option. Alex Salmond had been elected MP for Banff and Buchan in 1987, after the re-admittance of 79 Group members, and was able to seize the party leadership after Wilson's resignation in 1990 after
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#17328016435281430-580: The Mid Scotland and Fife region 1999–2007. Crawford was born in Perth . Prior to entering politics, he was a human resource manager with the Scottish Office . Crawford served as councillor for Kinross on Perth and Kinross District Council from 1988 to 1996 and on Perth and Kinross Council from 1995 to 2001. Crawford was also Leader of Perth and Kinross Council from 1995 to 1999. He
1495-585: The Scottish Covenant Association , a non-partisan political organisation campaigning for the establishment of a devolved Scottish Assembly. However, wartime conditions also enabled the SNP's first parliamentary success at the Motherwell by-election in 1945, but Robert McIntyre MP lost the seat at the general election three months later. The 1950s were characterised by similarly low levels of support, and this made it difficult for
1560-545: The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) which like the SNP support independence. Following an unsuccessful leadership challenge in 2003, Swinney stepped down following disappointing results in the European elections of 2004 with Salmond victorious in the subsequent leadership contest despite initially refusing to be candidate. Nicola Sturgeon was elected Depute Leader and became the party's leader in
1625-818: The climate change bill and the SNP nominating a Green MSP to chair a parliamentary committee. Despite this, Salmond's minority government tended to strike budget deals with the Conservatives to stay in office. In the final few years of the New Labour government, there were four parliamentary by-elections in Scotland. The SNP saw marginal swings towards the party in three of them; 2006 in Dunfermline and West Fife , 2008 in Glenrothes and 2009 in Glasgow North East . None were as notable than
1690-654: The 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament , and holds 9 out of the 57 Scottish seats in the House of Commons . It has 453 local councillors of the 1,227 available. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom and for Scotland's membership in the European Union , with a platform based on progressive social policies and civic nationalism . Founded in 1934 with
1755-541: The House of Commons to 56, ending 51 years of dominance by the Scottish Labour Party. All but three of the fifty-nine constituencies in the country elected an SNP candidate in the party's most comprehensive electoral victory at any level. At the 2016 Scottish election , the SNP lost a net total of six seats, losing its overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, but returning for a third consecutive term as
1820-458: The Labour landslide the party was unable to match either of the two 1974 elections. That September, the party joined with the members of the Scottish Constitutional Convention in the successful Yes-Yes campaign in the devolution referendum which lead to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament with tax-varying powers. By 1999, the first elections to the parliament were being held, although
1885-588: The SNP joined with the Liberal Democrats and Greens to call for continued UK membership of the EU. Despite a consequential increase in the Conservative Party vote at the 2017 local elections the SNP for the first time became the largest party in each of Scotland's four city councils: Aberdeen , Dundee , Edinburgh and Glasgow , where a Labour administration was ousted after 37 years. At
1950-530: The SNP to launching a Scotland-wide independence campaign before the end of 2023. Yousaf also made a number of policy announcements, including a freeze on Council Tax rates, additional funding for the NHS to reduce waiting lists as well as the issuing of government bonds to fund infrastructure projects. On 25 April 2024, it was announced that the Bute House Agreement would come to an end before
2015-597: The SNP to national prominence, leading to the establishment of the Kilbrandon Commission . Despite this breakthrough, the 1970 general election was to prove a disappointment for the party as, despite an increase in vote share, Ewing failed to retain her seat in Hamilton. The party did receive some consolation with the capture of the Western Isles , making Donald Stewart the party's only MP. This
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2080-620: The SNP treasurer, on 18 April. Murrell is the husband of former party leader, Nicola Sturgeon. The day Murrell was arrested and interviewed, Police Scotland also searched a number of addresses, including the SNP's headquarters and Murrell's home in Glasgow. Beattie resigned as SNP treasurer and was replaced by Stuart McDonald. Also in April, it was reported that the SNP's auditors, Johnston Carmichael, had resigned from their role around October 2022, and were yet to be replaced, three months before
2145-470: The SNP's mandate for the second independence referendum. The Third Sturgeon government was formed with Green support. In July 2021, the Scottish Police launched an investigation into possibly missing funds raised between 2017 and 2020 specifically for a second referendum. The investigation was given the code name Operation Branchform . In the 2022 Scottish local elections , the SNP remained as
2210-534: The Scottish Parliament until Salmond was able to return at the next parliamentary election. In 2007 , the SNP emerged as the largest party in the Scottish Parliament with 47 of 129 seats, narrowly ousting Scottish Labour with 46 seats and Alex Salmond becoming First Minister after ousting the Liberal Democrats in Gordon . The Scottish Greens supported Salmond's election as First Minister, and his subsequent appointments of ministers, in return for early tabling of
2275-635: The Scottish people to refuse conscription and his activities were popularly vilified as undermining the British war effort against the Axis powers . Young was imprisoned for refusing to be conscripted. The party suffered its first split during this period with John MacCormick leaving the party in 1942, owing to his failure to change the party's policy from supporting all-out independence to Home Rule at that year's conference in Glasgow. McCormick went on to form
2340-587: The Union because of their emotional attachment to Britain. Older voters, women and middle class voters voted no in margins above the national average. Following the Yes campaign's defeat, Salmond resigned and Nicola Sturgeon won that year's leadership election unopposed. The SNP rebounded from their loss at the independence referendum at the 2015 general election eight months later, led by former Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon . The party went from holding six seats in
2405-548: The activities of the party in the constituency and acts as a point of liaison between an MSP or MP and the party. Constituency Associations are composed of delegates from all of the Branches within the constituency. The annual National Conference is the supreme governing body of the SNP and is responsible for determining party policy and electing the National Executive Committee. The National Conference
2470-408: The amalgamation of the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party , the party has had continuous parliamentary representation in Westminster since Winnie Ewing won the 1967 Hamilton by-election . With the establishment of the devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999, the SNP became the second-largest party, serving two terms as the opposition . The SNP gained power under Alex Salmond at
2535-401: The biggest party, winning a record number of councillors and securing majority control of Dundee . On 15 February 2023, Sturgeon announced her intention to resign as leader and first minister. On 16 March 2023, it was revealed that the SNP's membership had fallen to 72,000, down from over 125,000 at the end of 2019. As a result of this, CEO Peter Murrell resigned on 18 March after criticism
2600-451: The ensuing general election , the party experienced a large drop in its support. Reduced to just 2 MPs, the successes of October 1974 were not to be surpassed until the 2015 general election . Following this defeat, a period of internal strife occurred within the party, culminating with the formation of the left-wing 79 Group . Traditionalists within the party, centred around Winnie Ewing , by this time an MEP , responded by establishing
2665-474: The leadership in 2000 with John Swinney, like Salmond a gradualist , victorious in the ensuring leadership election. Swinney's leadership proved ineffectual, with a loss of one MP in 2001 and a further reduction to 27 MSPs in 2003 despite the Officegate scandal unseating previous First Minister Henry McLeish . However, the only parties to gain seats in that election were the Scottish Greens and
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2730-602: The occasion of the Kosovo Declaration of Independence . This majority enabled the SNP government to hold a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014. The "No" vote prevailed in a close-fought campaign, prompting the resignation of First Minister Alex Salmond . Forty-five percent of Scottish voters cast their ballots for independence, with the "Yes" side receiving less support than late polling predicted. Exit polling by Lord Ashcroft suggested that many No voters thought independence too risky, while others voted for
2795-512: The party grew, developing a clear socio-economic platform including Independence in Europe, reversing the SNP's previous opposition to membership of the then-EEC which had been unsuccessful in a 1975 referendum . This position was enhanced further by Sillars reclaiming Glasgow Govan in a by-election in 1988. Despite this moderation, the party did not join Labour , the Liberal Democrats and
2860-406: The party reduced back from 5 to 3 MPs. The mid-90s offered some successes for the party, with North East Scotland being gained at the 1994 European elections and the party securing a by-election at Perth and Kinross in 1995 after a near-miss at Monklands East the previous year. Nineteen ninety-seven offered the party's most successful general election for 23 years, although in the face of
2925-411: The party suffered a disappointing result, gaining just 35 MSPs in the face of Salmond's unpopular ' Kosovo Broadcast' which opposed NATO intervention in the country. This meant that the party began as the official opposition in the parliament to a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition government . Salmond found the move to a more consensual politics difficult and sought a return to Westminster, resigning
2990-530: The party taking its MEP total to three (or half of Scottish seats ) and achieving a record vote share for the party. This was also the best performance of any party in the era of proportional elections to the European Parliament in Scotland . This was suggested as being due to the party's europhile sentiment during what amounted to a single-issue election. Later that year, the SNP experienced
3055-425: The party to advance. Indeed, in most general elections they were unable to put up more than a handful of candidates. The 1960s, however, offered more electoral successes, with candidates polling credibly at Glasgow Bridgeton in 1961, West Lothian in 1962 and Glasgow Pollok in 1967. This foreshadowed Winnie Ewing 's surprise victory in a by-election at the previously safe Labour seat of Hamilton . This brought
3120-612: The party to the Electoral Commission showed the SNP to have over 119,000 members in 2021. By the end of 2021, the party reported that this number was 103,884. Membership then continued to fall: to 85,000 at the end of 2022, and to 72,186 in March 2023. By the end of 2023, this had fallen to 69,325 and then to 64,525 by June 2024. List of Scottish National Party MPs This is a list of Scottish National Party MPs . It includes all members of Parliament elected to
3185-643: The party's accounts 2022 were due to be submitted to the Electoral Commission. New auditors were appointed in May. Filing the party accounts in June 2023, the new auditors highlighted that they had not been able to find original records for some cash and cheques. Murrell was re-arrested on 18 April 2024 and charged with embezzlement. He later resigned his membership of the SNP. A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service spokesman confirmed that it received
3250-534: The party's annual conference of 1982, in Ayr , despite the 79 Group being bolstered by the merger of Jim Sillars' Scottish Labour Party (SLP) although this influx of ex-SLP members further shifted the characteristics of the party leftwards. Despite this, traditionalist figure Gordon Wilson remained party leader through the electoral disappointments of 1983 and 1987 , where he lost his own Dundee East seat won 13 years prior. Through this period, Sillars' influence in
3315-489: The party. On 29 March 2023, Yousaf was appointed First Minister of Scotland. On 18 April, his government published its policy prospectus titled "Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – A fresh start" On 23 August 2023, Murray Foote was appointed as the new Chief Executive of the SNP. On 12 October 2023, MP Lisa Cameron crossed the floor to join the Scottish Conservatives, ahead of counting
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#17328016435283380-399: The people of Scotland", admitting the party was not "winning the argument" on Scottish independence. In November 2024, the SNP announced a plan to reduce permanent paid staff at its headquarters from twenty-six to sixteen, a reduction of more than a third, in order to "protect the long-term finances of the party" before the next Scottish Parliament election. The pressure on the SNP's finances
3445-418: The race and endorsed Swinney and on 5 May, Graeme McCormick claimed that he secured enough member votes for a nomination but then dropped out the same evening following a conversation with Swinney, ultimately endorsing him. During the campaign for the 2024 general election , the SNP was investigated by Holyrood authorities for allegedly misusing MSPs' expenses to fund their campaigning. An anonymous complaint
3510-508: The resulting fallout of the decision. The incumbent John Swinney was elected leader in May 2024. In the 2024 general election , the SNP lost 38 seats, reducing it to the second-largest party in Scotland and the fourth-largest party in the Westminster Parliament. The party does not have any members of the House of Lords on the principle that it opposes the upper house of Parliament and calls for it to be scrapped. The SNP
3575-528: The strengthened Conservative government ensured that the UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020. At the 2021 Scottish election , the SNP won 64 seats, one seat short of a majority, albeit achieving a record high number of votes, vote share and constituency seats, and leading to another minority government led by the SNP. Sturgeon emphasised after her party's victory that it would focus on controlling
3640-523: The third largest party but in Holyrood it was reduced back to being a minority government at the 2016 election . In the 2021 election , the SNP gained one seat and entered a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens . In March 2023 Sturgeon resigned and was replaced by Humza Yousaf . In April 2024, Yousaf collapsed the power-sharing deal with the Greens and resigned the following week due to
3705-546: The votes on her selection contest within the SNP for the 2024 United Kingdom general election . She became the first elected representative from the SNP to defect to a unionist party. Cameron claimed a "toxic and bullying" culture in the SNP led to her defection. On 15 October 2023, the SNP National Conference voted in favour of Yousaf's strategy on Scottish independence, including a number of amendments proposed from senior SNP representatives. This committed
3770-408: Was "confident" that there had been no use of any public money to support the SNP general election campaign. This investigation occurred amid SNP's financial struggles, falling membership, and the police investigation into alleged embezzlement. Despite a £128,000 bequest boosting their campaign, SNP spending was minimal compared to other parties. The SNP ultimately won nine seats in the 2024 election,
3835-485: Was attributed to a reduction in Short Money they receive following the 2024 general election, along with an increased reliance on membership fees over substantial donations. The local Branches are the primary level of organisation in the SNP. All of the Branches within each Scottish Parliament constituency form a Constituency Association, which coordinates the work of the Branches within the constituency, coordinates
3900-430: Was elected to the Scottish Parliament to represent Mid Scotland and Fife at the 1999 election . He was re-elected in 2003 . He was appointed Chief Whip by John Swinney . He ran Swinney's campaign to be re-elected as SNP National Convenor when he was challenged by Dr. Bill Wilson in late 2003. Following the adoption of a new constitution by the SNP in 2004, Crawford was appointed as the SNP's Business Convener. At
3965-536: Was levied at him over the way the figures were published. Humza Yousaf was announced as the next Leader of the Scottish National Party on 27 March 2023 after winning the leadership election . Yousaf defeated challenger Kate Forbes in the final stage, with 52% of the vote to Forbes' 48%. The leadership election was dominated by the strategy for a second independence referendum and the Gender Recognition Reform Bill , which has divided
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#17328016435284030-617: Was not to last and by 1978 Labour revival was evident at three by-elections ( Glasgow Garscadden , Hamilton and Berwick and East Lothian ) as well as the regional elections . In 1976, James Callaghan 's minority government made an agreement with the SNP and Plaid Cymru . In return for their support in the Commons, the government would respond to the Kilbrandon commission and legislate to devolve powers from Westminster to Scotland and Wales. The resulting Scotland Act 1978 would create
4095-421: Was reported that John Swinney's office manager had told an SNP staff WhatsApp group chat that "stamp fairy is very useful when it comes to campaigns". An SNP spokesperson confirmed the investigation and emphasized compliance with the rules, while John Swinney stated that he had been "assured that no parliamentary stamps that have been provided by Parliament have been used to support election purposes", adding that he
4160-593: Was sent to Alison Johnstone in which an individual claimed that stamps bought with expenses were given to Westminster election candidates for mailing leaflets. The complaint included a WhatsApp screenshot showing MSP staff discussing the traceability of the stamps. Parliamentary rules state that stationery and postage provided by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body "must be used only for parliamentary duties and must not be used for any other purpose, including party political purposes". It
4225-532: Was to be the case until the 1973 by-election at Glasgow Govan where a hitherto safe Labour seat was claimed by Margo MacDonald . Nineteen seventy-four was to prove something of an annus mirabilis for the party, as it deployed its highly effective It's Scotland's oil campaign. The SNP gained six seats at the February general election before hitting a high point in the October re-run , polling almost
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