Swinney sees off SNP rebels; Aberdeen conference backs leader on far-

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Apr 25, 2004 | by Douglas Fraser

John Swinney, the SNP leader, comfortably won backing from his party conference in Aberdeen yesterday for a complete revamp of the constitution, significantly shifting the power base within SNP ranks and making it more difficult to mount challenges to his position.

There were hardly any objections in the final vote - which required a two-thirds majority to adopt the complete revamp - with the challenge on a wide range of fronts petering out.

Swinney's leadership position is looking somewhat less beleaguered, but the row over internal sniping continued, with a defence from the unexpected quarter of Alex Neil, his erstwhile challenger for the leadership of the party. The key challenge to Swinney's plans yesterday was over his proposed move from branch delegates wielding power in the election of the leader, the deputy leader and the selection of candidates to each SNP member having an individual postal vote.

Objectors included Christine Grahame, the South of Scotland MSP, and former MP Douglas Henderson, who argued that it is best for internal power to rest with activists with a full commitment and knowledge of those they are electing to party office.

Grahame raised fears that decisions would be made without ordinary members being adequately informed.

"There is an illusion that this is enfranchising the party members, but there may be more central control," she said.

Swinney won the votes with substantial majorities. He also comfortably secured a change which will create a much higher threshold for those wanting to contest the leadership after he faced a challenge from Glasgow party activist Bill Wilson last year - backed by only five branches.

It will now take at least 20 branches and the support of a minimum of 100 members for there to be a move to oust an incumbent.

On Friday, Swinney secured backing for a new post, which he will appoint, to take over internal business from the leader. The closest vote of all backed his plan to secure arrangements for more female SNP candidates.

There were 80 constitutional amendments to be considered in the two-day conference, many of them lodged by a small number of west central Scotland party branches, but the rebellion fizzled out.

Critics of the changes argued that the conference was biased against them because it was taking place so close to an election, while making the issues a test of Swinney's leadership. It was also claimed that the arrangements favoured the leadership because it was easier for loyalists from the dominant northeast to get to Aberdeen for the vote. Critics also said that a robust debate was curtailed by Swinney's move to allow the media in to report the entire proceedings.

During the debate, Swinney delivered some stinging attacks on his own colleagues for the "horse-trading" between small groups and individuals under the old voting system, which absorbed the energy of the MSP group for nine months leading up to their candidate reselection in 2002. "It wasn't a democratic process and it wasn't a healthy process for our party," he said.

Despite a successful conference for him, the internal tension continued over Swinney's future as leader.

Swinney was warned in a magazine article by former MSP Mike Russell that he could be toppled with "a visit from the men in grey kilts" if there is not a strong result in the European election on June 10. The warning brought a strong rebuff from Alex Neil.

"Mike should not be attacking the party at a crucial time," said the Central Scotland MSP who ran against Swinney for the leadership four years ago.

"I understand he needs to make his living as a columnist, but it's a bit rich as a former chief executive of the party to be attacking it six weeks before an election. I think he speaks with forked tongue."

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