Scottish National Party

In Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) (Pàrtaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is a centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish independence. It currently regularly polls the second highest number of votes for a political party in Scotland.

History

The SNP was formed in 1934 from the merger of the National Party of Scotland and the Scottish Party. The SNP first won a parliamentary seat in 1945 by-election but their candidate refused to attend Parliament on principle and lost the seat after three months. They next won a seat in 1967 when Winnie Ewing was the surprise winner of a by-election in the safe Labour seat of Hamilton. This brought the SNP to national prominence. Their electoral high point was in the 1970s when they polled almost a third of all votes in Scotland at the October 1974 general election and returned 11 MPs to Westminster, to date the most MPs they have had.

Related Topics:
1934 - National Party of Scotland - Scottish Party - 1945 - 1967 - Winnie Ewing - 1970s - October 1974 general election - Westminster

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With the establishment of devolution for Scotland in 1999 the SNP has styled itself as the main opposition party to the Scottish Executive. For a fuller history see History of the Scottish National Party.

Related Topics:
1999 - Scottish Executive - History of the Scottish National Party

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