3 Sep 2003: Swinney’s leadership ambitions under the cosh after “stalking horse” candidate submitted nomination papers
Although Dr Bill Wilson stood little chance of winning, Swinney’s critics hoped that a “stalking horse” bid would provoke a serious challenge to a leader whose standing with Party members had been damaged further by the loss of 8 MSPs in the recent Scottish general election.
Critics had blamed the losses on Swinney’s style and his lack of charisma. His dictatorial style of leadership had alienated several MSP’s including former MSP, Dorothy-Grace Elder and legendary SNP, figure Margo McDonald both of whom had resigned from the Party. A senior party activist commented:
“This shows the widespread frustration among the grassroots. This was Labour’s worst election performance, but we could not capitalise on it. We lost eight seats and Swinney and others claimed it was a good campaign.”
10 Sep 2003: Swinney wins leadership battle
Marked by a low turnout and many abstentions an unhappy membership confirmed Swinney as Party Leader. Speaking just after the result was announced a relieved Swinney said:
“This has been an uncomfortable summer for the SNP. But we have emerged stronger. I have made it clear that I have listened to members’ concerns and will continue to listen. The row between the gradualist side of the party and those in favour of an independence referendum, and the fundamentalist wing, who want all or nothing, should now end. The door is shut on these arguments”.
MSP Campbell Martin, the most prominent of Dr Wilson’s supporters, said:
“Swinney will be pleased with the result. But he must now look over his shoulder. Bill took almost 20 per cent of the vote which means Swinney is effectively on probation until next year’s conference. Any danger to his leadership could now surface from people within his leadership clique, who could now see an opportunity for themselves.”
21 Sep 2003: Swinney talks to other Party leaders about an independence referendum
Swinney hoped the prospect of a referendum would quell rebellion in the Party after he discussed his proposals with the Green Party and other independence-supporting MSPs.
But Senior SNP figures, who believed victory at the ballot box was all that was required for independence, said that Swinney’s failure to grasp the nettle of independence by fudging the issue only confused voters. One senior fundamentalist said: “What we want is independence, not indecision”.
Swinney commented: “The choice for the SNP now is to follow a route into government and deliver independence through a referendum, or go into the political wilderness as we did in the 1980s, and that wasn’t a nice place for us. I’m prepared to talk to any political Party who supports independence”.
But a senior party figure questioned the wisdom of his plans to build such a coalition, saying: “This smacks of desperation. Swinney wants to reform the party believing an independence referendum is the way forward. But to announce a week before the leadership vote that he wants to do that along with the Greens and SSP makes us look like a fantasy party. If this is a ploy to silence the fundamentalists it won’t work. All it does is show that we don’t have full confidence in winning a majority in the Scottish Parliament”.
caltonjock 