THE SNP are set to lose nearly £1 million as a result of their election defeat – but an MP has insisted the loss will not affect party headquarters.
The SNP were reliant on Westminster short money to pay the wages of MP staff and their result at the 2019 election meant they were entitled to around £1.3m in public funds.
But this has fallen dramatically after Thursday’s poll, which saw the party reduced to just nine seats.
Multiple outlets have reported the party now stands to get just £344,690.27 per year to cover the costs of researchers and other staff based in Westminster.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon 'personality cult' blamed for SNP defeat as 'apology' demanded
But speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Show, newly-elected SNP MP Stephen Gethins (below), who returns to the Commons after a five-year absence, said the dramatic cut would not affect operations at HQ.
(Image: NQ)
The party has suffered a drought in major donations in the wake of the police investigation into its finances.
Its only reportable donation this year so far was a bequest from the late Robert Benzies, who left the SNP £127,998.35 in his will.
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday morning, Gethins said: “Remember that that short money doesn’t go directly into headquarters.”
He added: “That’s to support the work of MPs at Westminster and support parties’ policy development work. Obviously, when you lose some resources that’s a hit but there are, I’m afraid to say, fewer MPs and so you need less resource.
READ MORE: Where did it all go wrong? SNP to conduct post-mortem on election campaign
“That’s something that I’m not terribly happy about but that was a result of the election. You get the resource you get and you have to make the most of it and that’s something I know my colleagues and I will be doing starting this weekend.”
It was reported late last year that the SNP were diverting money from local branches to HQ in an attempt to shore up capacity at the highest level.
A memo to Westminster candidates sent by party treasurer Stuart McDonald said money set aside for branches would instead be kept by SNP HQ.
One insider told The National at the time: “If the branches drew down what they were owed, the SNP would go bankrupt.”
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