SNP's NEC should stick to its day job, not change the rules to exclude talents like Joanna Cherry from Holyrood – Kenny MacAskill

The SNP’s national executive committee has a critical role in overseeing the running of the party, but they’ve been asleep at the wheel, writes Kenny MacAskill.

Joanna Cherry MP has said. ( Getty Images)

‘Get on with the day job” was hurled by unionist opponents at the Scottish Government. Entirely without substance, it was also hypocritical given the obsessive referendum focus of the Tories and a part-time Prime Minister. However, there is a section of the SNP where the charge can be laid – and by members, not political opponents. That is the party’s national executive committee (NEC).

Decisions have been taken restricting the ability of sitting MPs to stand for Holyrood next year. Going against past precedent they seem to have been formulated by a small coterie with the intention of excluding the highly able MP Joanna Cherry. Compounding that, the manner in which the vote was taken was highly unusual, if not entirely unconstitutional.

Achieving their objective, some of those culpable have since been falling over themselves seeking selection, often in seats that they had limited in the nature of the candidacy. There are good reasons to have all-women shortlist seats, and I support the idea, but ‘because you or your pals have your eye on a seat’ certainly isn’t a good reason.

Changes to SNP's internal rules have been seen by some as a way to make it harder for MP Joanna Cherry to stand in the Scottish Parliament elections (PIcture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

Understandably, this has provoked outrage among members, as well as some on the NEC who have witnessed and objected to it. Pressure is mounting to have it reversed, not just because of its perniciousness in targeting one individual, but because of its wider effect; for laws of unintended consequences apply equally in politics.

The outcome had not been thought through, as the ramifications are significant, with MPs required to resign their seats if selected. Rumours of fist bumps and other celebrations by some are now replaced by the angst of resolving an unholy mess.

For this is a critical election and the best and most able candidates are needed. The stepping down of so many senior MSPs means that some ballast needs to be found. Some of that is available and currently wasted on the green benches of the House of Commons. Not just Joanna Cherry but Dr Philippa Whitford, as well as several others.

There’s talent out there in the party at large that isn’t currently in elected office or even widely known to the public. Some will be young, others just haven’t been in the public eye. They’ll do well as precocious talent and late bloomers always do well in whichever party. The First Minister was in that category, along with others such as the late Charlie Kennedy and Sam Galbraith.

But restricting the ability of current MPs is an act of self-harm by the SNP NEC. It’s not for me but one of my colleagues has already indicated his intention and others could well follow. Good luck to them. If they want to do so and the local party want them, then they should be able to do so without the difficulties of resigning their Westminster seat.

But in their desire to block one individual, the NEC has been failing to get on with the day job. Candidate selection is only now beginning, and vetting and other basics are lagging behind where they should be. Coronavirus cannot be used as an excuse when ample time could be found for plotting and scheming. It’s simply not good enough and needs rectified, as much as the MP decision needs to be rolled back.

The NEC has a critical role in overseeing the running of the party. As well as not getting on with the day job of election preparations, they’ve been asleep at the wheel in party management. Responsibility for staff and their actions or inactions rests with those elected to oversee them. But frustration is growing with party HQ amongst many of the rank and file. Failures in election preparation are matched by a lack of progress on policy issues for an independence referendum. Staff haven’t been furloughed but there has been little sign of activity on currency, borders and other vital issues. Yet these matters are fundamental and time is short.

Something seems amiss and the lack of scrutiny is frightening. Asking the national treasurer, whom I like and respect, how the chief executive’s salary was set, I was told he didn’t know and wasn’t privy to that. Nor could he answer how or why a chief operating officer had been appointed or even what their salary was. The latter is a role that had never existed before an individual was appointed in the winter of 2018, although the date may be a clue. I then asked the party business convenor, but she has refused to tell me.

The SNP rightly prides itself on its democratic structures, disdaining corporate influence or union bloc votes. But those charged by the membership with overseeing the party need to do so. It’s fundamental and this is simply unacceptable. Those in party office need to forsake pursuing their own narrow agenda and get on with the day job.

Kenny MacAskill is the SNP MP for East Lothian

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