THE SNP is increasing preparations for a possible General Election with the party’s new depute saying it is “fired up and ready to go”.
Keith Brown also announced Julie Hepburn, his close runner up in the recent depute leadership contest, will be a member of a new elections’ campaign committee, along with the MPs Alison Thewliss and Drew Hendry, MSP Kenneth Gibson, and former MP Margaret Ferrier.
READ MORE: Keith Brown – We’re ready for a snap General Election
Writing in The National today, Brown said the SNP had opened vetting procedures for potential candidates for a snap election, and was also building the case for Scottish independence.
“I have been ramping up the SNP’s preparedness for a snap Westminster election as well as building the case around the ‘why of independence,’” he said.
“Vetting for potential candidates for the next General Election is now open and Westminster liaison committees are being re-established.
“I have also set up the SNP Campaign Committee, with myself chairing in my other new role as campaign director aided by strong team with Alison Thewliss MP, Kenneth Gibson MSP, Drew Hendry MP, Julie Hepburn and Margaret Ferrier.”
He added: “Make no mistake: with the Tories in turmoil over Brexit and Labour devoid of relevance and purpose in Scotland, we’re fired up and ready to go.”
Speculation has grown over the past couple of weeks that the UK may be heading towards another snap Westminster election if the Prime Minister does not get Parliament to back any Brexit deal she agrees with the European Union. Her White Paper plan for a softer Brexit has been met with anger from her Brexiteer backbenchers and prompted a string of resignations from her government.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due in the autumn to set out what her plans are on whether to move forward with a new independence referendum.
The question of the timing of a second plebiscite dominated the SNP depute leadership election with Brown saying a new vote on independence could take place in one or two years.
A new economic blueprint for independence was put forward in the report by SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission, published in May, recommending the continued use of the pound for an extended transition, population growth through attracting more foreign nationals, and reducing the Budget deficit to below 3% within five or 10 years.
It also recommended corporation tax should not exceed that of the UK’s.
The document caused a major debate in the Yes movement, with figures on the left arguing it extended economic austerity. Andrew Wilson, the commission’s chair, rejected those arguments, and argued it made the case for independence stronger. The SNP is holding five national assemblies meetings in August and September to allow members to have their say.
The meeting in Edinburgh at the Corn Exchange on Sunday September 9 is already fully booked with 500 people due to attend. The SNP said the events at Ayr Racecourse on Saturday August 25 and Aviemore Macdonald on Saturday September 1 were also being booked up quickly.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel