Despite Covid, democracy continues as SNP selects candidates for 2021 Holyrood election – Angus Robertson

Thousands of people across Edinburgh and Scotland will be exercising their democratic rights from this Friday when ballot papers drop into their email in-boxes or home letterboxes. They will be taking part in the selection votes to decide who will stand in next year’s Scottish Parliament elections for the SNP.
The SNP is selecting its candidates for next May's Scottish Parliament election (Rui Vieira/PA)The SNP is selecting its candidates for next May's Scottish Parliament election (Rui Vieira/PA)
The SNP is selecting its candidates for next May's Scottish Parliament election (Rui Vieira/PA)

With opinion polls showing that the SNP is supported by more than 50 per cent of the electorate, it’s highly likely that many if not most of the prospective candidates will have good chances of being elected as constituency MSPs.

More than 175 candidates are seeking selection for 73 constituency seats, including nearly as many women as men and a good range of talented potential nominees from minority backgrounds. Running for office is not an easy undertaking in normal times, and these are not normal times. Rules have been introduced which limit candidates to online campaigning, online hustings and emails to the electorate of paid-up local members.

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I am seeking the SNP nomination for Edinburgh Central in what is my third round of contested selections since the 1990s. Having grown up in the area, been elected as deputy leader of the SNP, Westminster SNP leader, 16 years as an MP and as SNP campaign director and business convener, all of these things bring advantages of profile and a mix of local, national and international experience.

I’m fortunate to have the support of some of the best-known local activists, local SNP members as well as high-profile independence advocates like Brian Cox, Ricky Ross and Charlie Reid from the Proclaimers. Other candidates have the advantages of office-bearer positions, past candidacies, serving as present and past councillors and parliamentarians as well as campaign experience across a range of causes.

What particularly impresses me is the growing number of next-generation first-time candidates who are bringing their enthusiasm and energy to our democracy. These include the likes of Valentina Servera Clavell, originally from Barcelona, and Roza Salih. who came to this country as a refugee from Kurdistan, both of whom are trying to stand for the SNP. There are also talented young candidates from other parties too, like Leòdhas Massie of the Scottish Greens or Patricia Johnston from Labour who questions her party’s opposition to an independence referendum.

It really matters to our democracy that we encourage the widest range of potential candidates, with different lived experiences, to stand and become elected to our national parliament. Of course, with the pandemic dominating our concerns, the First Minister was correct to respond to last week’s record poll ratings for the SNP and independence by saying: “To my fellow SNP members – this level of support is hard-earned but mustn’t be taken for granted. Stay focussed & independence will follow – I’ve never been more certain. But our, my, immediate responsibility is to lead Scotland through Covid – right now, nothing matters more.”

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While the First Minister is getting on with the critical day job, democracy is not on hold and we must all support the democratic process. I would like to commend all potential nominees in the SNP and other mainstream parties as well. We need the best people in our national parliament, especially as we approach the independence referendum that everyone knows is coming. I hope I can play my part in Edinburgh Central.

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