SNP rebels in bid to oust Swinney after by-election defeat
They warned there could be a "clear out' in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary.
SNP badges and stickers (Image: PA) It is understood the meeting was ostensibly about forcing the party to move forward on independence, but there was a unanimous view that the First Minister 'has no intention of putting independence anywhere near the party's narrative whatsoever.'
One source said: 'If there is nothing in the next couple of weeks from the leadership, then conference will be a bloodbath.'
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Though they doubted that any MSP or MP would challenge Mr Swinney directly, they said it did not matter if the only competition came from an activist, as any contest would be 'hugely damning and damaging, and make the party look utterly ridiculous.'
Under SNP rules, any member who can secure 100 nominations from 20 different branches ahead of party conference can trigger a leadership vote.
An SNP insider said: 'NEC members better start looking for new hobbies unless the leadership announces a change of direction soon — because at this rate we are heading for a mass clear-out.
'It feels like Groundhog Day. The last time John was in charge he dropped independence, surrounded himself only by people who agreed with him, and pushed out the likes of Margo [McDonald] and anyone who challenged his devolutionist strategy.
'For those with short memories, that ended in a bruising defeat. If he stays, we will be heading for a repeat. What is left of the membership will not tolerate it.
'The ability to make the case for independence is not a desirable part of the job description — it is essential — and he has failed on probation.
'The Presbyterian schoolmaster might fly in Perthshire — but in the rest of Scotland it just does not land. Stabilising the party only works for a short time. There is no energy, no fire, no boldness, no long-term vision.'
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Last week's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election saw the SNP lose to Labour by 602 votes.
The party had been favourites, with Mr Swinney insisting Labour were out of the contest and that it was a two-horse race between his party and Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
Yesterday, the constituency's new MSP, Davy Russell, took his oath at Holyrood and, in a speech on the steps of the garden lobby, said his win could be a 'springboard' to Labour winning power next year.
Labour's newest MSP, Davy Russell's first day in Holyrood (Image: Andrew Milligan/ PA Wire) The seat had been held by Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie until her death earlier this year at the age of 57.
At a press conference on Friday, Mr Swinney insisted there had been progress for his party when the result was measured against their dire performance at last year's general election.
One MSP told The Herald on Sunday that that was not enough.
They said it was time for Mr Swinney to make changes to his top team.
'I think a proper ministerial reshuffle is required, and an exercise undertaken to seek new policies. For example, I would call in the former MPs who have experience but have had time to refresh their perspective.
'I can sense that many — for the first time — are now nervous, and rightfully so.
'On independence — again, it can never be enough to simply run a competent devolved government without a vision of what could be.'
On Friday, Mr Swinney said he would 'consider all issues around the ministerial team'. Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Màiri McAllan, he added, would return from maternity leave soon.
Mr Swinney's previous time in charge saw the party's vote share and number of seats fall. He resigned in 2004, paving the way for the return of Alex Salmond.
Asked by the BBC on Sunday if he was still the man to lead the party, Mr Swinney said: 'Yes. Twelve months ago, the party turned to me.
'I was not seeking high office — I had held high office for a long time in my life — and the party turned to me, at a moment of real jeopardy, and asked me to use all of my skills and experience, and the loyalty I command in the party, to bring people together and focus us on the future.'
Professor Sir John Curtice said the close battle for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse did not mean Anas Sarwar was a shoo-in for Bute House.
The election expert told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The recent message from opinion polls is the SNP is running at just over 30%, Labour is around 20%, so it seems a reasonable expectation that such a result would not mean Anas Sarwar is Scotland's next First Minister.'
The First Minister avoided a leadership challenge last year when veteran SNP activist Graeme McCormick was talked out of a bid following a 'lengthy and fruitful conversation' with Mr Swinney.
Mr McCormick said he had secured enough nominations to trigger a contest but would 'instead support John Swinney's nomination for Party Leader and First Minister of Scotland.'
He said at the time: 'John and I agreed the challenges which the SNP, our Government and our people face, and explored new thinking on a range of issues which I am confident, as they are advanced, will inspire activists both within the SNP and wider independence movement in the following weeks and months.
'This is a fresh start for our members and our politicians, and I am sure that John's determination to deliver independence will be rewarded at the forthcoming General Election."
The SNP has been approached for comment.
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