2016 Scottish National Party depute leadership election

There was a Scottish National Party leadership election to choose the new Depute leader of the Scottish National Party at the SNP's conference on 14–15 October 2016. The SNP's Westminster Group Leader Angus Robertson MP won the election.

2016 Scottish National Party depute leadership election

13–15 October 2016

Candidate Angus Robertson Tommy Sheppard Popular vote 18,736 8,936 Percentage 52.5% 25.5%   Candidate Alyn Smith Chris McEleny Popular vote 6,510 1,182 Percentage 18.6% 3.4%

Depute Leader before election Stewart Hosie Elected Depute Leader Angus Robertson

The election followed the resignation of the incumbent Depute Leader Stewart Hosie. Hosie, the partner of Scottish Government cabinet member Shona Robison, announced his intention to step down at the party conference in May 2016 after it emerged he was engaged in an affair with a freelance journalist, who had previously been involved in an affair with the SNP MP Angus MacNeil.[1]

Campaigns

Four candidates took part in the election:

• Angus Robertson MP
• Alyn Smith MEP
• Tommy Sheppard MP
• Inverclyde Councillor Chris McEleny[1]

Alyn Smith's campaign focused on the dual issues of strengthening Scotland's relationship with the European Union following the Brexit vote, and the need for a new Yes movement centred around the SNP.[1]

Angus Robertson's campaign also focused on the issues of Brexit and the European Union, and particularly on preserving Scotland's place in Europe.[1][2]

Chris McEleny's campaign focused on the importance of local government in light of the upcoming 2017 Scottish local elections.[1]

Tommy Sheppard focused his campaign on revamping internal SNP policy making, with the intention of making policy decision making more open to the SNP party membership. Existing policy decisions are largely taken by the leadership, with minimal input from the SNP grassroots membership.[3] He has been described as Robertson's "left-wing challenger".[4]

Both McEleny and Sheppard are members of the SNP Socialists group,[5] which said it was "challenging for leadership" of the SNP.

Other individuals suggested as potential candidates included Mhairi Black, Humza Yousaf, and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.[3][6] Humza Yousaf later ruled out running for the position, instead stating his support for Robertson.[7]

Results

The election used the single transferable vote (STV) system.[8]

Candidate		Votes
		Votes[9]		%
	Angus Robertson	18,736		52.5%
	Tommy Sheppard	8,936		25.5%
	Alyn Smith	6,510		18.6%
	Chris McEleny	1,182		3.4%

Endorsements

Angus Robertson

• George Adam, MSP for Paisley[10]
• Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Minister for International Development and Europe[11]
• Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South[10]
• Hannah Bardell, MP for Livingston, spokesperson on Business, Innovation and Skills[12]
• Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North, spokesperson on the House of Lords[13]
• Ian Blackford, MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, spokesperson on Pensions[11]
• Deidre Brock, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, spokesperson on Devolved Government Relations[12]
• Martin Compston, actor[10]
• Joanna Cherry QC, MP for Edinburgh South West, spokesperson on Justice and Home Affairs[12]
• Cllr Stuart Currie, Leader of SNP Group on East Lothian Council and Secretary of COSLA SNP Group[12]
• Martyn Day, MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk[12]
• Graeme Dey, MSP for Angus South[13]
• Martin Docherty, MP for West Dunbartonshire[10]
• Stuart Donaldson, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine[13]
• Mairi Evans, MSP for Angus North and Mearns[13]
• Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity[11]
• Joe FitzPatrick, MSP for Dundee City West, Minister for Parliamentary Business[13]
• Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch[11]
• Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North[10]
• Patricia Gibson, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran[10]
• Toni Giugliano, former SNP candidate for Edinburgh Western in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election[12]
• Drew Hendry, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, spokesperson on Transport[11]
• Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray[11]
• Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands[12]
• Rona Mackay, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden[10]
• Ruth Maguire, MSP for Cunninghame South[10]
• Gillian Martin, MSP for Aberdeenshire East[13]
• Callum McCaig, MP for Aberdeen South, spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change[13]
• Mark McDonald, MSP for Aberdeen Donside, Minister for Childcare and Early Years[13]
• Paul Monaghan, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross[11]
• Rob Munn, former councillor for Leith ward and Deputy Lord Provost, City of Edinburgh Council[12]
• John Nicolson, MP for East Dunbartonshire, spokesperson on Culture, Media and Sport[10]
• Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North[10]
• Brendan O'Hara, MP for Argyll and Bute, spokesperson on Defence[11]
• Gil Paterson, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie[10]
• Cllr Kirsty Reid, Elgin North ward, Moray Council[11]
• Cllr Maxine Smith, Cromarty Firth ward, Leader of the Opposition on Highland Council[11]
• Stewart Stevenson, MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast[13]
• Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, Minister for Local Government and Housing[13]
• Cllr Joan Sturgeon, Irvine East ward, former Provost of North Ayrshire Council and mother of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon[10]
• Robin Sturgeon, recent by-election candidate for North Ayrshire Council, father of Nicola Sturgeon[10]
• Owen Thompson, MP for Midlothian, former Leader of Midlothian Council[12]
• Cllr Stefan Tymkewycz, Craigentinny/Duddingston ward, City of Edinburgh Council[12]
• Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Minister for Mental Health[13]
• Mike Weir, MP for Angus, SNP Chief Whip[13]
• Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff and Buchan, Secretary of SNP Westminster Group and spokesperson on Social Justice and Welfare[13]
• Kevin Williamson, author and publisher, co-founded pro-independence website Bella Caledonia[12]
• Humza Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, Minister for Transport and the Islands[7]

Chris McEleny

• Jim Sillars, former MP South Ayrshire & Glasgow Govan and former Depute Leader of the SNP[14]

References

1. Tom Gordon (17 July 2016). "More hopefuls enter race to be SNP deputy". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
2. Severin Carrell, Scotland editor (2016-07-03). "Angus Robertson early favourite to become SNP deputy leader". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
3. Andrew Learmonth (2016-07-15). "Tommy Sheppard announces bid to be next deputy leader of the SNP". The National. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
4. "Angus Robertson elected SNP deputy leader: "We are very close to independence"". 13 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
5. "SNP socialists say left is already "challenging for leadership" of the party". 19 August 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
6. Kathleen Nutt (2016-05-24). "Who could be in the running to succeed Stewart Hosie as deputy leader of the SNP?". The National. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
7. Daniel Sanderson (2016-07-19). "Yousaf rules out deputy leader bid and backs 'experience' ahead of new referendum". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
8. "SNP deputy leadership candidates revealed". BBC News. 5 August 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
9. Patrick Grady (13 October 2016). "Depute Leadership contest result". Scottish National Party. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
10. Angus Robertson [@AngusRobertson] (11 September 2016). "Thanks for the strong support to become Depute Leader of @theSNP from across the West of Scotland region #voteAngus" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 September 2016 – via Twitter.
11. Angus Robertson [@AngusRobertson] (12 September 2016). "Thanks for support of members of @theSNP, cllrs and parliamentarians from across the Highlands & Islands #VoteAngus" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 September 2016 – via Twitter.
12. Angus Robertson [@AngusRobertson] (15 September 2016). "Thanks for the support from across Edinburgh and Lothian to become Depute Leader of @theSNP #VoteAngus" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 September 2016 – via Twitter.
13. Angus Robertson [@AngusRobertson] (13 September 2016). "North East of Scotland: Thanks for the support of so many members of @theSNP, councillors, MSPs and MPs #VoteAngus" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 September 2016 – via Twitter.
14. Thomson, David (23 July 2016). "Jim Sillars backs Inverclyde councillor for SNP Deputy Leader role". Common Space. Retrieved 16 September 2016.