ALYN Smith is to call for the mobilisation of the SNP’s 100,000 members ahead of a second independence referendum when he formally launches his bid to become depute party leader this week.
The MEP, who won a standing ovation in the European Parliament for his speech not to “let Scotland down” following the Brexit vote, will also argue for Nicola Sturgeon to consider establishing a network of paid grassroots co-ordinators and beefing up the team of staff at headquarters to increase further the party’s campaigning effectiveness.
Smith, who writes a column for The National, will unveil his pitch for the post at the Edinburgh arts centre Summerhall, where he will be introduced by the leading artist and promoter Richard Demarco.
Writing in The National today, Smith said: “The Yes movement is far bigger than the SNP, but the SNP is the organisational core of it. We need to organise the SNP to take account of the membership surge, to share the load amongst the many thousands of willing hands we now have.
“We need to look seriously at how well cohered the different parts of the party (local, council, MSP and MP) are, and whether paid organisers will better co-ordinate our efforts.
“We need to increase our excellent but few-in-number HQ team, with a greater focus on reaching out and supporting the various elements of the Yes movement.”
Smith believes that with Scotland’s place in the European Union under threat from the Brexit vote, his 12-years’ experience in Brussels puts him in a key position to help maintain the country’s membership.
“We need to put Europe at the heart of independence and the SNP at the heart of the independence movement,” he added.
“I can help do that. I’m internationalist to my fingertips... We need to do Europe in Europe.”
Smith is the fourth politician to put himself forward to replace Stewart Hosie, who is not running for re-election following reports that he had had an affair with a journalist leading to his separation from Shona Robison, the health secretary and a close friend of Nicola Sturgeon.
Westminster leader Angus Robertson, Edinburgh East MP Tommy Sheppard and SNP group leader on Inverclyde Council Christopher McEleny have also entered the contest. Nominations close on August 5, with the winner announced at the SNP’s autumn conference.
Yesterday it emerged police officers have offered advice to Councillor McEleny after he received a deluge of sectarian abuse on social media.
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