THE SNP is to launch a review of its internal structures to get the party “match fit” for the Holyrood elections in May and for a future independence referendum.

Nicola Sturgeon’s depute Keith Brown will lead the team which will consider what support can be given to local activists involved in campaigning and how internal democracy could be improved.

“The internal democracy of the SNP has always been one of our strengths, and we need to keep building on that great tradition in a way that reflects the size of our party and the evolving needs of our membership,” said Brown.

“So I’ve invited a small number of members, from different perspectives and roles in the party, to come together to work on this review.”

The governance working group will undertake widespread consultation across the entire party, and ask party members, activists, office bearers and elected representatives what support they want and need from the party’s structures and processes. The working group will cover broad governance issues, and a detailed examination of the committees, office bearer roles and organisations that support the work of the SNP.

The aim of the working group is to make recommendations to achieve a number of aims:

  • Ensure that the party’s governance reflects the needs of a large membership organisation.
  • Improve transparency of decision making and internal communications.
  • Ensure that our party is inclusive, and that every member and affiliated group has the opportunity to participate and make their voice heard.
  • Get ready for the next independence referendum by expanding the existing range of services provided by the party to help local campaigns win elections.

The members of the group led by Brown are Doug Daniel, Patrick Grady MP, Julie Hepburn, Councillor Shona Morrison, Jamie Szymkowiak, Dr Eilidh Whiteford and Kaukab Stewart. The announcement comes weeks after the SNP’s governing National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to change a rule meaning an SNP MP would have to give up his or her seat at Westminster before standing as a Holyrood candidate.

It was further reported that sitting MPs wishing to stand at Holyrood would need to secure at least £10,000 of funding towards the subsequent by-election campaign.

The decisions were perceived by some SNP members to be designed to put off a number of MPs from seeking to gain a Holyrood seat.

Several MPs including Joanna Cherry had expressed an interest or were being talked about as hoping to move to the Scottish Parliament.

Cherry had planned to put herself forward for the party’s internal contest to be selected as the SNP candidate in Edinburgh Central where former depute leader Angus Robertson had thrown his hat into the ring.

She later pulled out of the race with Robertson warning party members had been “let down” after the rule change. Former MSP and local government minister Marco Biagi then officially threw his hat into the ring for the seat he held from 2011 to 2016.

Edinburgh Central is currently held by the Scottish Tory Holyrood group leader Ruth Davidson who is stepping down from Holyrood at May’s election to take up a place in the House of Lords.

The Tories have yet to announce who their candidate is but polls suggest the SNP have a high chance of overturning the Conservatives’ slim majority of just 610 votes in Edinburgh Central.

The NEC also came under fire after it imposed an all-women shortlist in the constituency where James Dornan was to stand. The body later reversed its decision.

Dornan, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, announced in February he would not be standing in the 2021 Holyrood contest, but changed his mind in July, pointing to “unfinished business”.

All-women shortlists can be imposed by the party in any seat where the incumbent SNP MSP is standing down but are not permitted when the incumbent MSP is seeking re-election.