SNP branches will reportedly be deprived of General Election funding as the central party’s finances come under strain.
A memo to Westminster candidates sent by party treasurer Stuart McDonald said money set aside for branches would instead be kept by SNP HQ, The Times reports.
One party insider told The National: “If the branches drew down what they were owed, the SNP would go bankrupt.”
McDonald said in his letter: “The current amount due to branches is pushing up beyond £900,000 — largely due thanks to a lack of draw-down during Covid.
“Add in another £500,000 that could […] accrue during the year and it is clear that such high balances are not sustainable going forward.
“A levy which reduces that balance to a more manageable level is an honest recognition of that fact, and it is better to do that now while branches and campaign teams can still plan ahead.”
Income from membership of the party is in decline and donations have dried up – with the party receiving nothing in donations in the third quarter of this financial year, according to the Electoral Commission.
The SNP’s most recent accounts note that the party was able to change its constitution – a move which was approved at SNP conference in October – to “suspend draw-downs” from branches so it remained able “to meet its obligations”.
In his note to candidates, McDonald said the money earmarked for branches was “used and spent by HQ on all the other functions HQ undertakes”.
An SNP spokesperson told The Times: “SNP conference voted to put the offer of independence at the forefront of the General Election so Scotland can escape the broken Westminster system for good.
“Branches will recognise the need to properly fund that, and this internal accountancy measure allows fundraising to be targeted to that end.”
