2022 SNP Westminster leadership election

The 2022 Scottish National Party (SNP) Westminster leadership election was held to choose the leader of the SNP in the House of Commons, following the resignation of Ian Blackford on 1 December 2022. Stephen Flynn and Alison Thewliss were the two MPs who ran in the election.[1][2] Flynn was elected by 26 votes to 17.[3]

2022 SNP Westminster leadership election
6 December 2022 (2022-12-06)
 
Candidate Stephen Flynn Alison Thewliss
Running mate Mhairi Black Stuart McDonald
Popular vote 26 17
Leader before election

Ian Blackford

 Elected Leader

Stephen Flynn

Background

In June 2017, following the 2017 UK General Election, where the SNP went from 56 MPs to 35, Blackford was elected as leader of the SNP Westminster Group, succeeding Angus Robertson who had lost his seat.[4] He retained that position after the 2019 election where they regained ground, returning 48 MPs.

In February 2021, following significant public controversy, Joanna Cherry, seen as an ally of Alex Salmond, was removed from Blackford's frontbench team due to unspecified "unacceptable behaviour, which did not meet the standards expected of a front bench spokesperson".[5]

In April 2021, a party staff member complained about Blackford's response to a sexual harassment allegation regarding SNP MP Patrick Grady.[6] In June 2022, a recording[7] emerged of Blackford encouraging SNP MPs to support Grady who had apologised and been suspended from the House of Commons for two days[8] for his unwanted sexual advance to a junior SNP colleague in 2016.[9] This comment was met with backlash from across the political spectrum and Blackford faced public calls to resign.[10]

On 17 November 2022, it was reported that Flynn was to challenge Blackford for the leadership, which is determined annually at the AGM of the Westminster Group: Flynn denied any leadership ambition.[11] On 23 November, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to legislate for an independence referendum.[12]

Blackford announced his intention to stand down from the role on 1 December 2022.[13] He denied being forced out by SNP MPs.[14]

Candidates
Candidate Political office and constituency Date declared Ref.

Stephen Flynn		 SNP Spokesperson for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (2021–present)
MP for Aberdeen South (2019–present)		 5 December 2022 [1]

Alison Thewliss		 SNP Treasury Spokesperson (2020–present)
MP for Glasgow Central (2015–present)		 4 December 2022 [2]

Declined

The following SNP politicians were speculated as potential candidates for the leadership but declined to stand:

Endorsements

Thewliss

References
  1. "Stephen Flynn announces candidacy for SNP leadership". The Guardian. 5 December 2022.
  2. Simon Johnson (4 December 2022). "Sturgeon ally Alison Thewliss launches bid to become SNP Westminster leader". The Daily Telegraph.
  3. "Stephen Flynn elected as new SNP leader at Westminster". BBC News. 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  4. "Ian Blackford MP elected SNP Westminster leader". BBC News. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 6 Dec 2022.
  5. O'Tooole, Emer (4 February 2021). "Jacob Rees-Mogg praises Joanna Cherry's 'courage' after being sacked from front bench". The National. Retrieved 6 Dec 2022.
  6. "Two SNP MPs accused of sexual harassment by Westminster party staffer". The Independent. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  7. "Ian Blackford faces calls to resign amid 'full support' for suspended SNP MP". The National. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
  8. "MP Patrick Grady faces two-day suspension for breach of sexual misconduct policy". The Independent. 2022-06-14. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
  9. "Calls for Ian Blackford to resign over 'backing' of suspended MP". STV News. 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
  10. "Call for Ian Blackford to resign over misconduct MP 'support'". BBC News. 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
  11. "SNP in 'disarray' as Stephen Flynn denies Westminster leadership bid". The Herald. 17 Nov 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  12. "Decision by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom". BBC News. 23 Nov 2022. Retrieved 6 Dec 2022.
  13. "Ian Blackford to stand down as SNP leader at Westminster". BBC News. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  14. "Blackford denies being pushed out by SNP MPs". BBC News. 2022-12-04. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  15. "Mhairi Black tipped to be Stephen Flynn's Westminster deputy leader". The National. 5 December 2022.
  16. Heather Carrick (5 December 2022). "Ian Blackford: who could replace SNP MP as Westminster leader including Stephen Flynn and Alison Thewlis". National World.
  17. @Stuart_McDonald (December 5, 2022). "💛Very humbled to have been nominated by @alisonthewliss for the role of Deputy Westminster Group Leader. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿It would be an honour to support her in harnessing the talents of our MPs and our movement to secure Scotland's independence" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. @PeteWishart (December 4, 2022). "Alison is a team player who gets things done with a proven track record of taking on this Government. The right person at the right time to lead our group at Westminster" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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