- March 19, 2025
For years the Scottish National Party (SNP) dominated Scottish politics, leading the charge for independence and staying miles ahead of rivals. But things have fallen apart – the party’s grip has weakened, plagued by scandals, leadership struggles, diminishing public trust, and policy failures have chipped away at a once-solid reputation. In addition to the NHS and Healthcare failures, Education Decline, Drug Deaths, Transport Issues, Independence focus neglecting key issues, and Social Care and Housing Issues the scandals have had a huge impact on the decline.
Some of the biggest controversies that have contributed to the decline:
1. Financial Scandal & Missing Independence Funds
● What happened? The SNP raised £600,000 from supporters for an independence referendum campaign, but the money appeared to be missing from official accounts.
● Police Investigation: Operation Branchform was launched to investigate potential fraud, leading to the high-profile arrests of:
- Peter Murrell (SNP’s former Chief Executive & Nicola Sturgeon’s husband) – His home was raided, and police seized a luxury motorhome suspected to be bought with party funds.
- Colin Beattie (former SNP treasurer) – Arrested and questioned about financial mismanagement.
- Nicola Sturgeon – Arrested and questioned before being released without charge.
● Why it matters: This scandal severely damaged public confidence in the SNP’s financial transparency and governance, with many supporters feeling misled.
2. Alex Salmond & Alleged Cover-Up
● What happened? Former First Minister Alex Salmond was charged with 13 counts of sexual misconduct but was acquitted on all charges in 2020.
● SNP Mishandling: A parliamentary inquiry later found that the Scottish Government’s internal investigation was “unlawful” and “tainted by bias.”
● Withholding of Information: Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP were accused of obstructing the inquiry by refusing to release key documents and allegedly misleading Parliament about when she first learned of the allegations.
● Why it matters: The scandal exposed deep divisions within the SNP and fuelled claims that senior figures conspired against Salmond. Salmond later created the breakaway party, Alba.
3. The SNP’s Financial Struggles & Secret Loan
● What happened? In 2021, it was revealed that Peter Murrell secretly loaned the SNP £107,000 to help with “cashflow issues.”
● Lack of Transparency: The loan wasn’t declared to the Electoral Commission for months, violating political finance rules.
● Why it matters: This raised serious questions about the party’s financial health, especially in the wake of the missing independence funds controversy.
The Bigger Picture
These scandals have led to a dramatic decline in SNP support, with Labour gaining ground in Scotland for the first time in years. Once seen as an unstoppable force, the SNP now faces serious challenges in restoring trust and holding onto power. The recent statement from Nicola Surgeon confirming she would stand down in 2026, I wish her well however I believe it is the right thing to do. Under Surgeon’s leadership she has failed Scotland and the Scottish People.