ONE in four SNP members who took part in the party's elections for president backed Craig Murray, the Alex Salmond supporter has revealed as he called for a second independence to be held next September.
Murray stood on a platform to deliver independence within two years - a move which appealed to many in the grassroots amid frustration among some in the party over the party's stance on delivering a second vote on the issue.
In an advert he took out in The National after declaring he was putting his name forward for the role, he wrote: "Boris Johnson can have no veto over the right of the people of Scotland to choose their own path. The possibility should not be entertained. It is an affront to international law.
"I am standing for president because I want the SNP to be a party whose overriding priority is to obtain full, completed and internationally recognised Independence for Scotland within a maximum of two years from this date."
As revealed by The National last night Constitutional Affairs Secretary Michael Russell won the contest for SNP president, which is an honorary role.
Murray congratulated Russell on his victory and added that his rival had said during a hustings that a second independence referendum should be held next September.
He added that overall the NEC results reflected grassroots' concern that "a powerful clique" was neglecting the drive for independence.
"The NEC elections reflected real concern among members that a powerful clique in the party was neglecting the drive for independence in favour of other priorities," he said.
"I am delighted at the success of Joanna Cherry, Chris Hanlon, Douglas Chapman and others laser-focused on independence."
He added: "I congratulate Mike Russell on becoming president of the party. That I received 25% of the votes against one of the SNP's most prominent and effective ministers - and Corri Wilson another 15% - should show just how much member disquiet there is over accepting a Westminster S30 veto.
"In the SNP TUG hustings Mike Russell pledged explicitly to support indyref2 in September 2021. I and the large majority of the party now expect this to happen."
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