I AGREE totally with Alan Woodcock’s letter in last week’s Sunday National and am pleased to give my opinion on his view regarding the current climate of in-fighting and sniping in the SNP. I also agree with Alan that we will lose substantial support from the public at the May election. Party members must recognise that support from non-members will be crucial.
I am possibly older that Alan, having become involved with Scotland’s nationhood in the early 60s. At that time the choice of involvement was between the Scottish National Party and Wendy Wood’s Scottish Patriots. At that time the use of acronyms for titles was not common, hence SNP was not in common use as the description of the party.
Alan obviously lives in the city but as I come from a rural area, the delivery of leaflets becomes long pavements rather than stairs in tenements though the occasional block of flats does give shelter from the rain and cold.
Fellow members of the SNP contact me and update me regarding the latest sniping and disagreements doing the rounds of social media, and of each newer individual independence group as it is created.
The events of earlier this month in America indicate the carnage that can be brought forward to a country through social media. Relative to Scotland’s need and desire for independence for Scotland, a stop is necessary to the continuing attacks by groups and individuals on our parliamentarians and party leaders. Honest and collective planning for an overall victory for the SNP in the May election must be at the forefront of all members of our party. Individual ideas and thoughts have to be considered and accepted by all, not published and stated as the only way forward.
It is recognised that in the main, our SNP parliamentarians, unlike the majority of those representing the other major political parties, do consider that their responsibility is to represent their constituents and as such will use their knowledge of politics to best advise over the best route to follow to promote and obtain victory at the May 2021 election. After all, our parliamentarians have been voted in by thousands of constituents who are not party members but have a desire for independence.
Am I being too naive to suggest that our parliamentarians have clear ideas of what is required to ensure success in May? We are a small country and this gives advantage to our parliamentarians to be able to know many of their constituents and party members through discussions directly with them and are able to consider the mood of their people.
There are many people who are similar to me and await the long-held aspiration to be a nation again and accept that at this political critical period nationhood is upon us – almost!
The National Executive Committee of the party has recently altered, with various individuals now pressing their individual thoughts, strategies and “must have change” ideas. It is hoped that a collective strategy is confirmed and not based on more and more individual thoughts and aspirations.
In having various groups of friends and acquaintances I meet and discuss politics in general terms, and regrettably must record a rise in the negativity towards the SNP from many of them, including some who I know voted for us in the previous elections.
These friends and acquaintances are not all SNP supporters – some even support the Conservatives – but all express their appreciation of our First Minister for her constant, careful handling of the Covid pandemic. I must say that I feel Alan’s hurt and bewilderment when I am confronted with the antithesis of this when meeting fellow SNP members who continually berate and vilify the First Minister. Unfortunately this view is spewed out on social media and sustains the message to opposition parties that we are a divided party.
I ask Alan Woodcock and other supporters who are similarly scunnered not to withdraw from the party, nor to stop voting at elections. Write to your SNP MSP or MP and give your views regarding this self-destruction of our party.
The party must stay strong and every vote counts – do not allow these self-centred controlling people to be successful and make us loose our real opportunity of the long awaited INDEPENDENCE.
Tom Taylor
via email
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