Scottish National Party
From Skeptical Voter Wiki
The Scottish National Party (SNP) is a centre-left political party which campaigns for Scottish independence. In the last few decades, the SNP has normally polled the second highest number of votes for a political party in Scotland. However, the 2009 European Election saw the party top the poll with almost 100,000 votes more than the Scottish Labour Party. As a result of the 2007 elections, it is the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, and is running a minority administration in the Scottish Government. The SNP is to propose the Scottish Referendum Bill 2010 to the Parliament in order to bring about its flagship policy of independence via a referendum in November 2010.
The SNP holds 47 of 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament but failed to gain the support of Scottish Labour, the Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives as a result of its pro-Scottish Independence policy, preventing them from forming a majority government. The party also hold 2 of 6 Scottish seats in the European Parliament, 6 of 59 Scottish seats in the UK Parliament, and 364 of 1,224 Councillors in local government, helping form 12 out of 32 local administrations.
Contents |
Current MPs
(See also: Category:Scottish National Party MPs)
| Name | Constituency | First elected |
|---|---|---|
| Stewart Hosie | Dundee East | 2005 |
| Angus MacNeil | Na h-Eileanan an Iar | 2005 |
| Angus Robertson | Moray | 2001 |
| Mike Weir | Angus | 2001 |
| Eilidh Whiteford | Banff and Buchan | 2010 |
| Pete Wishart | Perth and North Perthshire | 2001 |
Stance on Skeptical Issues
The 2011 SNP Holyrood manifesto can be read here: http://manifesto.votesnp.com/
Their 2010 Westminster manifesto can be read here: http://www.snp.org/manifestos/westminster/2010
Alternative Medicine
In their 2007 Holyrood manifesto[1], the SNP stated (page 35):
- Access to alternative therapies such as homeopathy can help improve the quality of life of patients. We will support patient choice in this respect and encourage GPs to do likewise.
However, their 2010 Westminster and 2011 Holyrood manifestos did not appear to mention alternative medicine (that we can find - please edit this if you find anything).
LGBT Rights
In May 2010, SNP leader Alex Salmond answered readers' questions for Pink News[2].
In 2009 the SNP was criticised for failing to act against councillor Kenneth Gunn for his comments on a radio phone-in programme about homosexuality, religion and non-believers[3].
Science and Engineering
Shortly before the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections, the Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) looked at policies of the major Scottish parties, including the SNP: http://sciencecampaign.org.uk/?page_id=4938
References
- ↑ http://www.snp.org/node/13534
- ↑ http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/05/05/exclusive-snp-leader-and-scottish-first-minister-alex-salmond-answers-your-questions/
- ↑ http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/SNP-attacked-for-failing-to.5528279.jp
