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Nicola Sturgeon faces a growing rebellion over his leadership style that is expected to involve Alex Salmond being reinstated to the Scottish National Party next year.
More than 20 activists, councilors and parliamentarians critical of Sturgeon’s leadership and his policies on independence, the economy and transgender rights were elected last week to the party’s national executive as incumbents and governing committees, to the surprise of party leaders. .
Numerous sources in the SNP, including those involved with the national executive committee (NEC), believe his election will lead to a series of open and more subtle challenges to the prime minister and the party’s policies ahead of next May’s elections.
They are expected to include support for Salmond’s return to the SNP; pushing for the party to legally challenge the UK government if it blocks a second independence referendum; and help candidates who criticize party leaders win prominent positions on the Holyrood election ranking list.
For the first time in recent SNP history, two groups presented organized lists of candidates: the SNP Common Weal group, a coalition of left-wing activists who accuse Sturgeon of over-centralizing power, and the Women’s Pledge, high-ranking figures critical of the official gender policy. recognition.
His achievements caused consternation among prominent supporters of Sturgeon’s leadership, who believe that some rebels are using the dispute over transgender rights to undermine his authority, ignoring his surge in popularity with voters this year.
Former Westminster Deputy Leader Kirsty Blackman said that transgender legal reform was “a convenient topic and a convenient group of already excluded people who can be thrown under a bus for a small group to undermine the SNP’s massively successful leadership.”
That was denied by a new NEC member, who said: “This is not about Alex Salmond going back into politics nor is he anti-Nicola. Leading our agenda is to democratize the party, improve governance and develop a better strategy on independence.
Another prominent activist, “shocked” by the results, urged other members to reaffirm that equality and independence “go hand in hand.”
The Common Weal group, which wants the SNP to pursue a more left-wing economic strategy, give members greater control over policy-making and prioritize independence, won 21 seats last weekend. Women’s Pledge activists have 11 seats, although some sit in both camps.
Its standard-bearer is Joanna Cherry, the MP from southwest Edinburgh who is close to Salmond and has repeatedly challenged the prime minister on gender rights and independence strategy. She won a coveted seat at the NEC.
Disputes over the party’s stance on gender recognition have been extremely contentious, pitting MSP and MP like Cherry against others who support reform of the rules on gender self-identification.
These groups include new members openly or quietly supporting Salmond, who has been in open conflict with Sturgeon over the Scottish government’s handling of allegations of alleged sexual harassment against him, and the role of high-ranking SNP figures in his prosecution. for 14 counts of sexual abuse and indecent assault.
He had resigned from the SNP in protest after the results of the investigation were leaked in August 2018. That investigation was declared illegal in January last year and Salmond was acquitted of all criminal charges in March.
An investigation by the Scottish Parliament is expected to be reported in March 2021 and is expected to be highly critical of the government’s conduct. His supporters say that would clear the way for Salmond’s reinstatement, possibly before the Scottish elections in May.
The new SNP National Secretary, Stewart Stevenson, has been an MSP for 20 years and is one of Salmond’s closest friends.
Three new national officials – Party Treasurer Douglas Chapman, Equality Coordinator Lynne Anderson, and Policy Coordinator Chris Hanlon – signed the Common Weal Group’s Manifesto for Democracy calling for greater accountability and “bringing members back to the heart of the party. “. Hanlon defeated Alyn Smith, a prominent MP, former MEP, and Sturgeon loyalist.
A former NEC member said the results had caused a stir in the party hierarchy. “They didn’t see it coming. This is the party’s Brexit vote, ”they said.
Another activist said: “There is an alliance of people who are unhappy with Nicola Sturgeon and who are unhappy for different reasons … We are starting to look a bit like the Labor Party.”
That was rejected by SNP sources. A very small percentage of party members voted, one said. “Any deduction taken from makeup [of these bodies] they are exaggerated. We are aware that there is a change, but no panic buttons are pressed. They may have influence, but they have no power. “
