It's time to take tough decisions if we're to reach our goal

BY CABINET MINISTER KEITH BROWN

-  KEITH BROWN

AT THE start of the SNP leadership campaign, a Daily Record journalist I spoke to political to confirm that, while I would not be a candidate publicly nor support any candidate, I believed the contest was "a point of both vulnerability and of opportunity" for the SNP.

We have certainly seen some vulnerabilities. However, while many have sought to declare the SNP's recent raft of resignations, and their associated ructions as a sign of imminent demise, it seems to me that this is, at best, wishful thinking on their part.

There is no doubt the membership of our party is in parts bewildered by what has gone on and some are disaffected by the divisions which are especially evident on social media.

What our opponents forget is that ideas, like the desire for independence, are in themselves indestructible, and will not disappear because of failings on the part of those elected to progress the case for self-determination.

Moreover, they underestimate the resilience of the SNP as the party most identified as promoting, without reservation, the interests of Scotland at every opportunity.

Now, though, as the campaigns conclude, it is time for opportunities to be seized.

Chief among these is the chance to effect real and radical change to the way the SNP is governed.

Membership figures should be published regularly, processes agreed for internal voting/contests for party positions, we need greatly improved financial transparency and control, improved support to staff, to members and to office bearers, to name but a few.