THE SNP Common Weal Group convener has said he is “delighted” after its supporters won a third of party selection contests.
Craig Berry, the founder of the group which aims to share and debate progressive policies within the party, said the wins prove there is a “real appetite in the SNP grassroots for a Green New Deal and a just transition to a sustainable economy”.
Supporters of the group, including incumbent MSPs Ash Denham, Joan McAlpine, Christine Graham and Stuart McMillan, won 11 candidacies last night.
The group’s pledge for a resilient independent Scotland was also signed by candidates in more than half of the contested seats.
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The pledge sets out six key commitments including a Green New Deal, a National Care Service, land reform, tenants’ rights, public ownership and localised economic reform.
Berry, who is a researcher for the Common Weal think tank, said: “We are delighted that SNP members across Scotland have chosen progressive candidates who have pledged their commitment to a resilient independent Scotland.
"The SNP CWG is growing rapidly and we are organising with members across Scotland who share our ambitions for Scotland's future.
"We look forward to working with our candidates to win these seats, deliver independence and start building a future for Scotland that puts all of us first."
The full list of SNP Common Weal Group candidates are:
Stephanie Callaghan - Uddingston & Bellshill
Robert Leslie - Orkney Islands
Ash Denham - Edinburgh Eastern
Catriona MacDonald - Edinburgh Southern
Sarah Masson - Edinburgh Western
Joan McAlpine - Dumfriesshire
Paul McLennan - East Lothian
Christine Graham - Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale
Colm Merrick - Eastwood
Stuart McMillan - Greenock & Inverclyde
Tom Wills - Shetland Islands
The (nearly) complete list of confirmed SNP candidates can be found here: Revealed: The full list of SNP candidates for the 2021 Holyrood election