Edinburgh Central SNP hopeful Marco Biagi overtakes rival Angus Robertson in crowdfunding

SNP hopeful Marco Biagi launched a crowdfunding appeal in a bid to create a "level playing field" among the would-be candidates battling it out to stand in Edinburgh Central.

Marco Biagi was MSP for Edinburgh Central from 2011 until he stood down at the 2016 election

He made the move after rival Angus Robertson, the SNP’s former Westminster leader, had appealed to members for support in his drive to become the Nationalist candidate for the prime seat.

But within 24 hours Mr Biagi raised more than £3,000, overtaking Mr Robertson, who had amassed £2,890 in donations.

Mr Biagi’s total has continued to mount and this morning stood at £3,386. He says it will remain open, but any surplus will go to the local party’s campaign fund.

Mr Biagi, former local government minister, was MSP for Edinburgh Central for five years before standing down in 2016.

The seat was won that year by the then Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, but she is quitting Holyrood at next year's election and the SNP is expected to take it back.

A fierce contest to become the party's candidate was under way between former Mr Robertson and Edinburgh South West MP Joanna Cherry until a change in selection rules effectively excluded Ms Cherry.

Mr Biagi then entered the race and party activist Lee-Anne Menzies also threw her hat in the ring.

Last month Mr Biagi called for the SNP to limit spending on internal contests so members’ donations could be channelled into the party’s campaigning to win seats and gain independence.

And he said he had launched the crowdfunder reluctantly. “I only wanted to raise money to make sure there was a level playing field,” he said.

“No one should have to raise this amount just to become a candidate through a party’s internal processes. This is especially galling when this is such a difficult time for so many people."

On his Crowdfunder page, he says: “There are almost 1,000 Edinburgh Central SNP members who do not go to meetings or out canvassing. They do not know the candidates personally. But, as members, they rightly also have a vote in this contest.

“So far they have been bombarded by almost two thousand pounds-worth of social media advertising.

“I've petitioned the national executive committee internally for a cap on spending. No response. I took my concerns public, reluctantly. Still no response. You should not be being asked to contribute money to crowdfunders for internal campaigns. But now I must ask you to help even this contest in the only way possible. If you believe in a fair process in Edinburgh Central, where all candidates have the same opportunity to make their case to members, please donate to my campaign.

“You may also wish to donate to Lee-Anne Menzies, another candidate in this constituency, so that she can make her case too.”

Mr Biagi said although he was leaving the crowdfunding page open he did not plan to outspend the other candidates.

"Anything I get that isn’t spent, in order to keep the playing field level, will go to the branch straight away at the end of the process. I’m only interested in making sure the odds are even.”

And if he is elected as MSP, he says he will donate a sum matching what the crowdfunder has raised to the local party’s independence campaign fund.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director