Study reveals average SNP member is over 60 and male
Scotland would have to renegotiate EU status, according to EU sources. Picture: Getty
HE is 63 years’ old, donates £84 a year to his party, and whenever he hears someone criticise his country, takes it as a personal insult – say hello to the Scottish National Party’s everyman.
The comprehensive dissection of the SNP’s membership in a new academic study reveals for the first time the political, ideological, and personal make-up of the thousands of people who have helped the party to power at Holyrood.
From key constitutional matters and what role, if any, the monarchy should have in it, through to ethical issues such as the death penalty and gay relations, the questionnaire which forms the backbone of a new political study of the SNP provides fascinating insights.
And some of the findings in the 28-page survey commissioned for the book The Scottish National Party: Transition to Power make for surprising reading, not least for the SNP leadership.
Despite expectations of a young and vibrant movement, 68.2 per cent of the 7,112 people who responded were male, while the average year of birth came out at 1949, two key conclusions the book’s authors had not anticipated.
One of the authors, Professor James Mitchell, head of the school of government and public policy at the University of Strathclyde, said: “The impression we all had of the SNP, certainly in the past, was of a very young membership. It’s older than we ever expected, but I think the new members who have been joining will have brought the average age down.
“The female thing is also very interesting. When we did the survey, the SNP were very surprised. I thought they weren’t going to like it at all, but they accepted it. In the 2007 elections, the SNP did particularly well amongst men, but there was a big gender gap and they didn’t win women voters.”
His co-author, Dr Lynn Bennie, senior lecturer in politics at the University of Aberdeen, explained: “Only the Conservatives have had a similar gender profile, and that was way back in the 1990s. All the other parties have been much more balanced, so there’s something going on there.”
When given a series of statements to gauge their libertarian-authoritarian values, 51.5 per cent agreed that “the death penalty is never justified, even for very serious crimes,” with 37.6 per cent disagreeing with the statement. Asked for their view on the statement, “homosexual relations are always wrong” 21 per cent agreed and 52.6 disagreed.
The postal questionnaire was carried out between November 2007 and March 2008. It shows that nearly a quarter of members (23 per cent) had joined since 2005. More than half (56.7 per cent) have an annual household income before tax of less than £30,000, and a third (32.9 per cent) consider themselves “very active” or “fairly active” in the party, with 36.2 per cent having canvassed voters door-to-door, and 18 per cent standing as a candidate in a local or national election. They contribute, on average, £44 a year to SNP headquarters and £40 to the local party.
Independence, unsurprisingly, elicited widespread support. Asked for their constitutional preference, 65 per cent of members said Scotland should be independent within the EU, while 22 per cent said the country should strike out alone outside of Europe. Twelve per cent called for further devolution while just one per cent believe the status quo is the way forward.
Only 20.6 per cent said people could be equally proud of being British and Scottish, while 69.6 per cent said that when someone criticised Scotland they took it personally.
When it came to the First Minister, members gave a glowing endorsement. When given a sliding scale of one to ten to rate their leader’s qualities, over half gave him ten out ten for strong leadership, and overwhelmingly rated him caring, likeable, decisive, and trustworthy.
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Comments
There are 310 comments to this article
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Alan Craigie
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 11:48 AMAverage SNP supporter is over 60, male, delusional (probably because he's addled by years of heavy drinking) and just not very bright.
Lachie Mhor
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 07:38 PMWhy has the Hoots Mon not reported on the strange goings on at the Scottish Police College and the secretive methods used to appoint or should I say re-appoint the Director. It would appear that there are rules for some but not for others when it comes to advertising posts and arranging salaries and severance pay. The situation requires public scrutiny and possibly a Judicial Inquiry into just what is going on in the public services and how decisions are reached in relation to jobs for the bhoys.
mallus12
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 05:13 PMHEY wardog Is this a private fight or can anybody join In.? Quality not quantity wardog
mallus12
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 05:04 PMWhen I first started postings on the Scotsman website I expected learned,erudite responses. So much for expectations--I cannot claim to have an absolutely comprehensive knowledge of Scottish history but it seems I possess far more than the SNP supporters. I suppose I receive so few replies worthy of answering is that I see the bad as well as the history that the SNP loves to bask in-ie the Achievements of past generations. I do not qualify for a vote and I do not delude myself I can effect the outcome but I see no reason why the one-eyed view of history should go unchallenged. HEALTH WARNING--Any future replies containing the word "patronising" I wiil take as conceding defeat! I think you must agree I am not patronising SNP you are paper -unicorns!
Jerachi
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 11:37 AMOk Scotsman you managed to see through the cloak, who would have thought political parties would have a bigger proportion of over 60's as their member's? But ok now that you see that most nationalists are just old men now can you allow 16-17 year old (clearly unionists) have their say in this referendum?
HorridHenrietta
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 12:36 AM303 The Tin Man - Asking someone which town they live in isn't asking for their address. I hardly think that by revealing that I live in Edinburgh that I risk getting my windows smashed in unless you think you might find the name Horrid Henrietta in the Phone Book or on the voters role. You have chosen not to say which town or country you live & that's fair it tells me all I need to know about you.
flyinngscott
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:39 PMTinman,Looking at it from your angle, asking once was fine, keeping at it not so. Rufus, your right. And your still an @rse.
The Tin Man
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:30 PM302 flyinngscott: On the Hootsmon, it also leads to smashed windows, and other unpleasantness, apparently, and very believably. However, posters expressing an obsession with obtaining the address of other posters is very weird.
flyinngscott
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:27 PMTinman, I suppose anonimity is best, but it does lend itself to name calling and abuse. (see agent pr!ck)
flyinngscott
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:21 PMAgent P. Away and run up my ribs. Whats wrong with the truth ? Youll be one of those caring labour types then rufus. Why dont you report me to the thought police ya @rse.
The Tin Man
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:21 PM286 flyinngscott: No, I just object to being stalked by weirdo hootsmon posters, asking me for my address. The one I supply is usually 'the dark side of Pluto', when I feel benevolent towards posters who are that anal.
flyinngscott
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:17 PMHenrietta, re butt selling fags to kids, if the politicians really wanted to tackle our health problems, take the bold step and slash the amount of premises licenced to sell booze and fags. A one strike and your out policy would help, if coupled with a moratorium on new licences.========================= Now the 'racist' bit... This part of our 'community' has made fortunes peddling misery, many local shops are little more than off licences with news and food as a sideline. I know one family in town, who made their money from cornershop booze, then invested in b&bs catering for homeless jakies. Talk about covering all bases. It always begs the ? too. Why sell a product that your religion strictly forbids.
Agent P
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:14 PMflyinngscott = RACIST
flyinngscott
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:01 PMHenrietta, Cheers for the link. Caught, sarwar cant claim he was duped.Just another example of 'caring' labur. This stinks like the awami scandal in wales. Best not say too much though, or i'll be down as a racist.
HorridHenrietta
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:44 PM293 Col.Blimp III - I wonder if they will. I am a bit worried about these Labour rebels do you think they'll be walking the short plank wearing cement shoes. ==================================================== As to the rebels, whether they stand under a common banner or as independents, "they will walk a short plank into the sea", predicts one senior Labour figure.
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