
'For urgent change that's needed, Green voices must be heard'
They tried to be the anti-Reform vote but that didn't work.
The immediate reaction of some in the party that they instead need to "hit the independence button" hits home just how little they have to fall back on from their record in government.
Greens led a solid grassroots campaign which helped to build profile and support ahead of the Holyrood elections next year, where the proportional voting system means Green votes count more.
There are some clear lessons emerging for how Greens need to approach that election.
The SNP can't succeed as the anti-Reform vote because they are the political establishment in Scotland that those turning to Reform are hacked off with.
It's their cuts to council budgets and their failure to replace the unfair council tax that is responsible for the decline people see in their neighbourhoods.
It's their failure to build enough homes or to bring down outrageous rents that are driving the housing crisis.
It's their U-turn on climate targets and lack of a proper green industrial strategy that is putting jobs and communities at risk.
Greens can put forward a bold manifesto that responds to these things and more.
That speaks to real issues facing people, not the bogeymen put forward by Reform.
Urgency is vital.
Where the SNP is cautious in the extreme, Greens must present a plan to deliver tangible change, quickly.
Parties are often pressed on having a costed manifesto.
That's important, but I think it's equally so to have a timed plan, not with vague and distant targets, but for real improvement, now.
Greens have policies that resonate and are needed, but the biggest barrier we still face is being heard.
The BBC Scotland Debate Night programme this week is a clear example of that.
The show was a 'Glasgow Special' but it didn't include the Greens, despite being clearly the third political force in the city.
Instead, alongside the SNP council leader Susan Aitken, viewers heard from the Tories, who have just one councillor left and are facing being wiped out in Holyrood next year, and shockingly from not one but two Labour representatives (though the show's producers neglected to make the political affiliation of the unelected Baron Haughey of Hutchesontown clear).
It's perhaps not a surprise that the BBC won't platform Green voices which challenge the status quo, but it is a real shame.
Green representatives are shaping the future of Glasgow, whether that's by working to end rip-off rents, by making our streets and public spaces safer, or by delivering new powers, like the Visitor Levy, which will raise tens of millions more for local services.
Greens can deliver the radical and urgent change people want, but to do that Green voices must be heard.
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Western Telegraph
28 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
SNP loses thousands of members as deficit soars to nearly £500,000
The 2024 accounts, published by the Electoral Commission, also show an outstanding £60,000 loan from former chief executive Peter Murrell may be 'written off'. They also show the £100,000 motorhome seized by Police Scotland during its investigation into the SNP's finances is now worth just £41,284. As of June this year, the party's membership had fallen to 56,011 – down from 64,525 the same time last year and less than half of its peak of around 125,000 in 2019. The SNP remains by far the biggest political party in Scotland in terms of membership. Amid falling membership numbers, the party's deficit surged to £455,254 in 2024, compared with a surplus of £661,568 in 2023. Stuart McDonald, SNP national treasurer, said in the accounts: 'It is important to point out that a deficit of this nature is not unusual during a parliamentary election year – for example 2021, 2017 and 2016 all saw similar or greater deficits incurred.' The SNP's membership has more than halved since its peak under the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon, pictured at a party rally in 2014 (Andrew Milligan/PA) But he also admitted 'challenging' membership numbers and staff redundancies have impacted the party's finances. The SNP still owes its former chief executive £60,000 following a loan of £107,620 in 2021, of which the party paid £47,620 back that same year. However, it suggested Mr Murrell, who has appeared in court charged with alleged embezzlement, may never be paid back. It states: 'There is no formal loan agreement in place, no interest is charged on the outstanding balance, and no specific repayment terms have been agreed. 'The former chief executive has not formally requested repayment of the outstanding balance. 'Due to the absence of agreed repayment terms and the lack of recent communication regarding settlement, there is uncertainty as to when, or if, this loan will be repaid to the former chief executive, and whether it may ultimately be waived or written off. 'This uncertainty regarding the future outflow of economic benefits from the party represents a significant judgment made by the party in assessing the nature of the liability and is disclosed to ensure the financial statements provide a true and fair view of the financial position.' The motorhome seized by Police Scotland in 2023, which originally cost around £100,000, has also collapsed in value as it remains impounded by officers. The vehicle is now worth just £41,284, the party estimates. The accounts were independently audited by MMG Chartered Accountants which identified no 'material uncertainties'. Conservative Craig Hoy said the SNP has 'serious questions' to answer (Fraser Bremner/Scottish Daily Mail/PA) Scottish Conservative MSP Craig Hoy said the report raises 'serious questions' for the SNP. He said: 'With a deficit of nearly half a million it is clear the nationalists cannot be trusted to even run their own finances, never mind the ever-growing black hole they are presiding over in Scotland's finances.' He said it is 'remarkable' the SNP still owes money to Mr Murrell, and he called on party bosses to 'come clean' in relation to the campervan. 'It is now worth well over less than half of what they initially paid for it, though they claim they expect it to be released in the future,' he said. 'As even diehard nationalists continue to lose faith in the SNP, it sums up why we must get them out next year and finally move Scotland on from the SNP's independence obsession.' A spokesperson for the SNP said: 'The SNP is the largest political party in Scotland by far and it is very encouraging to see extraordinary levels of donations over the course of last year – the highest since 2017. 'Our success relies on all of our members and supporters who contribute in whatever way they can. 'We are approaching the 2026 election ahead in the polls and ready to take our positive vision of Scotland's future as an independent country to the people.'


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
SNP loses thousands of members as deficit soars to nearly £500,000
The SNP has lost more than 8,000 members and its deficit has ballooned to nearly £500,000, the party's annual accounts show. The 2024 accounts, published by the Electoral Commission, also show an outstanding £60,000 loan from former chief executive Peter Murrell may be 'written off'. They also show the £100,000 motorhome seized by Police Scotland during its investigation into the SNP's finances is now worth just £41,284. As of June this year, the party's membership had fallen to 56,011 – down from 64,525 the same time last year and less than half of its peak of around 125,000 in 2019. The SNP remains by far the biggest political party in Scotland in terms of membership. Amid falling membership numbers, the party's deficit surged to £455,254 in 2024, compared with a surplus of £661,568 in 2023. Stuart McDonald, SNP national treasurer, said in the accounts: 'It is important to point out that a deficit of this nature is not unusual during a parliamentary election year – for example 2021, 2017 and 2016 all saw similar or greater deficits incurred.' But he also admitted 'challenging' membership numbers and staff redundancies have impacted the party's finances. The SNP still owes its former chief executive £60,000 following a loan of £107,620 in 2021, of which the party paid £47,620 back that same year. However, it suggested Mr Murrell, who has appeared in court charged with alleged embezzlement, may never be paid back. It states: 'There is no formal loan agreement in place, no interest is charged on the outstanding balance, and no specific repayment terms have been agreed. 'The former chief executive has not formally requested repayment of the outstanding balance. 'Due to the absence of agreed repayment terms and the lack of recent communication regarding settlement, there is uncertainty as to when, or if, this loan will be repaid to the former chief executive, and whether it may ultimately be waived or written off. 'This uncertainty regarding the future outflow of economic benefits from the party represents a significant judgment made by the party in assessing the nature of the liability and is disclosed to ensure the financial statements provide a true and fair view of the financial position.' The motorhome seized by Police Scotland in 2023, which originally cost around £100,000, has also collapsed in value as it remains impounded by officers. The vehicle is now worth just £41,284, the party estimates. The accounts were independently audited by MMG Chartered Accountants which identified no 'material uncertainties'. Scottish Conservative MSP Craig Hoy said the report raises 'serious questions' for the SNP. He said: 'With a deficit of nearly half a million it is clear the nationalists cannot be trusted to even run their own finances, never mind the ever-growing black hole they are presiding over in Scotland's finances.' He said it is 'remarkable' the SNP still owes money to Mr Murrell, and he called on party bosses to 'come clean' in relation to the campervan. 'It is now worth well over less than half of what they initially paid for it, though they claim they expect it to be released in the future,' he said. 'As even diehard nationalists continue to lose faith in the SNP, it sums up why we must get them out next year and finally move Scotland on from the SNP's independence obsession.' A spokesperson for the SNP said: 'The SNP is the largest political party in Scotland by far and it is very encouraging to see extraordinary levels of donations over the course of last year – the highest since 2017. 'Our success relies on all of our members and supporters who contribute in whatever way they can. 'We are approaching the 2026 election ahead in the polls and ready to take our positive vision of Scotland's future as an independent country to the people.'


Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
SNP's accounts reveal unpaid Peter Murrell loan & campervan latest amid £455k loss
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE SNP ran a deficit of almost £500,000 last year amid a plummeting membership and cuts to HQ staff, it has emerged. And the infamous campervan connected to the police probe into party finances is now worth almost £60,000 less than when it was bought in 2021. 3 Peter Murrell is still owed money from the SNP Credit: PA 3 The couple announced they were to separate in January Credit: AFP Nats chiefs admitted they did not have as much money to play with during last year's General Election than in previous campaigns - leading to a collapse from 48 MPs to just nine. Party treasurer, Stuart McDonald, states in the accounts: 'While still able to devote significant resources to competing at the election, the sums available were not in the same ballpark as those earlier years. 'We continue to face the challenge of membership numbers declining from historic and extraordinary highs, for a variety of economic, political and other reasons.' The party's latest accounts show it lost £455,607 in 2024, despite almost £1million in donations being received. Nats chiefs also said they expect the motorhome connected with the police probe into the party finances to be released to them in the future - and value it at £41,284 - almost £60,000 less than its original cost and down from £51,605 in 2023. The accounts state: 'This asset has been impounded by authorities since April 2023 and has not been available for the party's use since that time. 'The party retains ownership of the motorhome and expects its future release.' And the SNP still owes Peter Murrell, the former chief executive and estranged husband of ex-leader Nicola Sturgeon, £60,000. He had initially given the party £107,620 between June and September 2021, with the SNP handing back £47,620 later that same year. However the accounts state he has yet to have 'formally requested repayment' and could be written off in future. Alex Salmond niece bombshell: Why is cowardly Nicola putting our family through this They add: 'Due to the absence of agreed repayment terms and the lack of recent communication regarding settlement, there is uncertainty as to when, or if, this loan will be repaid to the former Executive Chief Executive, and whether it may ultimately be waived or written off.' Membership numbers have continued to fall with the party taking in £1.83million from members compared to £2.09million in 2023. There are now 56,011 members as of June 1 this year, a drop of around 8,000 from last summer and 3,000 from the end of 2024. The accounts also reveal the cost of the redundancies by the party last year. Staff costs had hit almost £1.5million in 2024, with the firing of staff costing £276,170 in 'restructuring costs' which will include redundancy payouts to long-standing staff. Other political parties also ran a deficit, with the Scottish Liberal Democrats running a £135,460 deficit and the Scottish Greens racking up a £52,785 loss in 2024. But Scottish Labour ran a surplus of just under £350,000 - largely thanks to £777,445 received from UK Labour. Scottish Conservative shadow finance secretary Craig Hoy MSP said: 'The SNP's latest set of accounts continue to raise serious questions for them. 'With a deficit of nearly half a million it is clear the nationalists cannot be trusted to even run their own finances, nevermind the ever-growing blackhole they are presiding over in Scotland's finances. "It is now worth well over less than half of what they initially paid for it though they claim they expect it to be released in the future. 'As even diehard nationalists continue to lose faith in the SNP, it sums up why we must get them out next year and finally move Scotland on from the SNP's independence obsession.'