A NO voter who moved to Yes and was hoping to get elected as an SNP MSP next year has withdrawn from the party’s internal contest.
Michael Sturrock was seeking to win the party’s nomination and take the SNP target seat of Edinburgh Southern currently held by Labour’s Daniel Johnson at the May 2021 poll. But he has left the race after failing to pass the party’s vetting procedure. He said the party’s committee had told him he lacked sufficient campaigning experience.
Sturrock said he was disappointed but will be giving his support to the winning candidate to help ensure his party’s win the Labour seat.
“I have learned that the SNP vetting committee has chosen not to progress my candidacy for selection in Edinburgh Southern,” he told The National. “My campaign sought to rally the growing No to Yes movement and offer our party the opportunity to select a candidate who reflects the important sea-change taking place across Scotland.
READ MORE: Major new campaign for independence launched after 'milestone' conference
“The vetting committee concluded, however, that my local campaign experience was not sufficient to be a prospective candidate for our party. Of course, this is disappointing but I wish those standing well.”
He added: “Overall, this experience has been hugely positive. I have been encouraged to hear from so many others around Scotland – of all political persuasions – who have become convinced that the positive vision of independence in Europe is the best path for Scotland.
“Ultimately, this campaign is neither about me, nor my parliamentary ambitions. We are on the cusp of taking our first steps as an independent nation, and it is fundamental that we bring as many people along with us as we can. The voices of those who previously voted No must be heard and engaged with in respectful dialogue.”
The 26-year-old joined the SNP in 2018 in the aftermath of the EU referendum and is a member of the party’s Newington branch. He works as head of public affairs for a business trade association. His candidacy was endorsed by MPs John Nicolson and Stewart McDonald.
Sturrock said: “The No to Yes movement is welcoming more and more people every day. Our friends in Europe see this, and I was glad to see the campaign featured in some of Europe’s most-read newspapers, as well as our national and local press. So, while my prospective candidacy ends here, my campaign for a positive vision of independence, and efforts to advance the No to Yes movement, does not.”
Catriona MacDonald, Alison Dickie and Doug Thomson are the remaining contenders in Edinburgh Southern.
A senior SNP source said: “Michael is a huge talent for the future in the SNP and independence movement. His personal story as someone who has moved from No to Yes is exactly what will help a great many other people make the same journey.
“SNP vetting is there to ensure candidates have enough campaign experience and Michael will get that by playing an active part in next year’s Scottish Parliament elections.
“We look forward to him running in the future. He will make an excellent candidate and parliamentarian”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel