Editing Scottish National Party (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of the Scottish National Party}}

===Foundation and early breakthroughs (1934–1970)===
[[File:Mcewan.jpg|thumb|right|190px|[[Alexander MacEwen]], the first [[leader of the Scottish National Party]] from 1934 to 1936.]]

The SNP was formed in 1934 through the merger of the [[National Party of Scotland]] and the [[Scottish Party]], with the [[James Graham, 6th Duke of Montrose|Duke of Montrose]] and [[Cunninghame Graham]] as its first joint presidents.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dinwoodie |first=Robbie |date=7 April 2014 |title=From radicals and Tartan Tories to the party of government |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/wider-political-news/from-radicals-and-tartan-tories-to-the-party-of-government.23890738 |url-status=live |journal=The Herald |location=Glasgow |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518033243/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/wider-political-news/from-radicals-and-tartan-tories-to-the-party-of-government.23890738 |archive-date=18 May 2015 |access-date=10 July 2019}}</ref> [[Alexander MacEwen]] was its first chairman.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=James |title=Scottish National Party Leaders |last2=Hassan |first2=Gerry |publisher=Biteback |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-7859-0092-1 |location=London}}</ref>

The party was divided on its approach to the [[Second World War]]. [[Douglas Young (classicist)|Professor Douglas Young]], who was SNP leader from 1942 to 1945, campaigned for the Scottish people to refuse [[conscription]] and his activities were popularly vilified as undermining the [[Military history of the United Kingdom during World War II|British war effort]] against the [[Axis powers]]. Young was imprisoned for refusing to be conscripted. The party suffered its first split during this period with John MacCormick leaving the party in 1942, owing to his failure to change the party's policy from supporting all-out independence to [[Devolution in the United Kingdom|Home Rule]] at that year's conference in Glasgow. McCormick went on to form the [[Scottish Covenant Association]], a non-partisan political organisation campaigning for the establishment of a devolved Scottish Assembly.

However, wartime conditions also enabled the SNP's first parliamentary success at the [[1945 Motherwell by-election|Motherwell by-election]] in 1945, but [[Robert McIntyre (politician)|Robert McIntyre]] MP lost the seat at the [[1945 United Kingdom general election|general election]] three months later. The 1950s were characterised by similarly low levels of support, and this made it difficult for the party to advance. Indeed, in most general elections they were unable to put up more than a handful of candidates. The 1960s, however, offered more electoral successes, with candidates polling credibly at [[1961 Glasgow Bridgeton by-election|Glasgow Bridgeton]] in 1961, [[1962 West Lothian by-election|West Lothian]] in 1962 and [[1967 Glasgow Pollok by-election|Glasgow Pollok]] in 1967. This foreshadowed [[Winnie Ewing]]'s surprise victory in [[1967 Hamilton by-election|a by-election]] at the previously safe [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] seat of [[Hamilton (UK Parliament constituency)|Hamilton]]. This brought the SNP to national prominence, leading to the establishment of the [[Kilbrandon Commission]].

=== Becoming a notable force (1970s) ===
[[File:United Kingdom general election 1974 Oct in Scotland.svg|thumb|In [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]] the SNP won 11 constituencies, a record that would stand until [[Nicola Sturgeon]] assumed the party's leadership.|350x350px]]
Despite this breakthrough, the [[1970 United Kingdom general election|1970 general election]] was to prove a disappointment for the party as, despite an increase in vote share, Ewing failed to retain her seat in Hamilton. The party did receive some consolation with the capture of the [[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (UK Parliament constituency)|Western Isles]], making [[Donald Stewart (MP)|Donald Stewart]] the party's only MP. This was to be the case until the [[1973 Glasgow Govan by-election|1973 by-election]] at [[Glasgow Govan (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]] where a hitherto safe Labour seat was claimed by [[Margo MacDonald]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parliamentary Career for Margo Macdonald – MPs and Lords |url=https://members.parliament.uk/member/1667/career |access-date=16 June 2023 |website=UK Parliament}}</ref>

1974 was to prove something of an ''[[annus mirabilis]]'' for the party, as it deployed its highly effective ''[[It's Scotland's oil]]'' campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dilemmas of Over-Development: Scottish Nationalism and the Future of the Union |url=https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/4241-dilemmas-of-over-development-scottish-nationalism-and-the-future-of-the-union |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075240/https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/4241-dilemmas-of-over-development-scottish-nationalism-and-the-future-of-the-union |archive-date=21 March 2021 |access-date=5 April 2020 |website=Versobooks.com}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=December 2020}} The SNP gained six seats at the [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February general election]] before hitting a high point in the [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October re-run]], polling almost a third of all votes in Scotland and returning 11 MPs to Westminster. Furthermore, during that year's [[1974 Scottish local elections|local elections]] the party claimed overall control of [[Cumbernauld and Kilsyth (district)|Cumbernauld and Kilsyth]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

This success was to continue for much of the decade, and at the [[1977 Scottish local elections|1977 district elections]] the SNP saw victories at councils including [[East Kilbride (district)|East Kilbride]] and [[Falkirk Council|Falkirk]] and held the balance of power in [[1977 Glasgow City District Council election|Glasgow]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Faux |first=Ronald |date=4 May 1977 |title=Labour lose control of Glasgow |work=The Times, p. 1}}</ref> However, this level of support was not to last and by 1978 Labour revival was evident at three by-elections ([[1978 Glasgow Garscadden by-election|Glasgow Garscadden]], [[1978 Hamilton by-election|Hamilton]] and [[1978 Berwick and East Lothian by-election|Berwick and East Lothian]]) as well as the [[1978 Scottish regional elections|regional elections]].

In 1976, [[James Callaghan]]'s minority government made an agreement with the SNP and [[Plaid Cymru]]. In return for their support in the Commons, the government would respond to the [[Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)|Kilbrandon commission]] and legislate to devolve powers from Westminster to Scotland and Wales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/devolution/scotland/briefing/79referendums.shtml|title=Scottish Referendums|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> The resulting [[Scotland Act 1978]] would create a Scottish assembly, subject to a referendum. Labour, the Liberals and the SNP campaigned for a "yes" vote in [[1979 Scottish devolution referendum|the referendum on the Scotland Act]] and "yes" won a majority, but a threshold imposed by anti-devolution Labour MP [[George Cunningham (British politician)|George Cunningham]] requiring 40% of the electorate to be in favour was not reached due to low turnout.<ref>url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/background/pastelec/ge79.shtml|title=BBC Politics Summaries – Background to the Vote of No Confidence</ref> When the government decided not to implement the Act, the SNP's MPs withdrew their support and voted to support [[1979 vote of no confidence in the Callaghan ministry|Margaret Thatcher's motion of no confidence in Callaghan's government.]]<ref name="bbc.co.uk">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/background/pastelec/ge79.shtml BBC Politics Summaries] – Background to the Vote of No Confidence</ref> In the ensuing [[1979 United Kingdom general election|general election]], the party experienced a large drop in its support. Reduced to just 2 MPs, the successes of October 1974 were not to be surpassed until the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2018 |title=SNP MP criticised for defending party's role in bringing Thatcher to power |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16374941.snp-mp-criticised-defending-partys-role-bringing-thatcher-power/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713215706/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16374941.snp-mp-criticised-defending-partys-role-bringing-thatcher-power/ |archive-date=13 July 2021 |access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref>

=== Factional divisions and infighting (1980s) ===
[[File:Scottish National Party 79 Group Logo.svg|left|thumb|177x177px|The [[79 Group]] sought to define the party on the [[Left-wing politics|left]]. ]]
Following this defeat, a period of internal strife occurred within the party, culminating with the formation of the left-wing [[79 Group]].<ref name="BBC80">{{Cite news |date=11 April 2014 |title=The Scottish National Party at 80 |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26924026 |url-status=live |access-date=11 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412104847/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-26924026 |archive-date=12 April 2014}}</ref> Traditionalists within the party, centred around [[Winnie Ewing]], by this time an [[Member of the European Parliament|MEP]], responded by establishing the [[Campaign for Nationalism in Scotland]] which sought to ensure that the primary objective of the SNP was campaigning for independence without a traditional left-right orientation, even though this would have undone the work of figures such as [[William Wolfe]], who developed a clearly [[social democratic]] policy platform throughout the 1970s.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

These events ensured the success of a leadership motion at the party's annual conference of 1982, in [[Ayr]], despite the 79 Group being bolstered by the merger of [[Jim Sillars|Jim Sillars']] [[Scottish Labour Party (1976)|Scottish Labour Party (SLP)]] although this influx of ex-SLP members further shifted the characteristics of the party leftwards. Despite this, traditionalist figure [[Gordon Wilson (Scottish politician)|Gordon Wilson]] remained party leader through the electoral disappointments of [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]] and [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]], where he lost his own [[Dundee East (UK Parliament constituency)|Dundee East]] seat won 13 years prior.

Through this period, Sillars' influence in the party grew, developing a clear socio-economic platform including ''Independence in Europe,'' reversing the SNP's previous opposition to membership of the [[European Economic Community|then-EEC]] which had been unsuccessful in a [[1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum|1975 referendum]]. This position was enhanced further by Sillars reclaiming [[Glasgow Govan (UK Parliament constituency)|Glasgow Govan]] in a [[1988 Glasgow Govan by-election|by-election]] in 1988.

Despite this moderation, the party did not join [[Scottish Labour|Labour]], the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]] and the [[Scottish Greens|Greens]] as well as civil society in the [[Scottish Constitutional Convention]] which developed a blueprint for a devolved [[Scottish Parliament]] due to the unwillingness of the convention to discuss independence as a constitutional option.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-MP: Scotland 'in trouble' if lax on constitution – The Targe |url=http://thetarge.co.uk/article/current-affairs/0165/ex-mp-scotland-in-trouble-if-lax-on-constitution |access-date=5 April 2020 |website=thetarge.co.uk}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=December 2020}}

=== First Salmond era (1990s) ===
[[File:Tayside Regional Council 1994.svg|thumb|181x181px|In [[1994 Tayside Regional Council election|1994]] the SNP gained control of [[Tayside]], the only time the party controlled a regional council, albeit without a majority.]]
[[Alex Salmond]] had been elected MP for [[Banff and Buchan (UK Parliament constituency)|Banff and Buchan]] in 1987, after the re-admittance of 79 Group members, and was able to seize the party leadership after Wilson's resignation in [[1990 Scottish National Party leadership election|1990]] after a contest with [[Margaret Ewing]]. This was a surprise victory as Ewing had the backing of much of the party establishment, including Sillars and then-Party Secretary [[John Swinney]]. The defection of Labour MP [[Dick Douglas]] further evidenced the party's clear left-wing positioning, particularly regarding opposition to the [[Poll tax (Great Britain)|poll tax]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 May 2014 |title=Former MP Dick Douglas dies aged 82 |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27388579 |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075241/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27388579 |archive-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Despite this, Salmond's leadership was unable to avert a fourth successive general election disappointment in [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]] with the party reduced back from 5 to 3 MPs.

The mid-90s offered some successes for the party, with [[North East Scotland (European Parliament constituency)|North East Scotland]] being gained at the [[1994 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|1994 European elections]] and the party securing a [[1995 Perth and Kinross by-election|by-election]] at [[Perth and Kinross (UK Parliament constituency)|Perth and Kinross]] in 1995 after a near-miss at [[1994 Monklands East by-election|Monklands East]] the previous year. Nineteen ninety-seven offered the party's most successful [[1997 United Kingdom general election|general election]] for 23 years, although in the face of the Labour landslide the party was unable to match either of the two 1974 elections. That September, the party joined with the members of the [[Scottish Constitutional Convention]] in the successful Yes-Yes campaign in the [[1997 Scottish devolution referendum|devolution referendum]] which lead to the establishment of a [[Scottish Parliament]] with tax-varying powers.

By 1999, the [[1999 Scottish Parliament election|first elections]] to the parliament were being held, although the party suffered a disappointing result, gaining just 35 MSPs in the face of Salmond's unpopular '[[Kosovo]] Broadcast' which opposed [[NATO intervention in Kosovo|NATO intervention]] in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 1999 |title=Politics: Anti-bombing Salmond hits an all-time low with voters |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/politics-anti-bombing-salmond-hits-an-all-time-low-with-voters-1086961.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075241/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/politics-antibombing-salmond-hits-an-alltime-low-with-voters-1086961.html |archive-date=21 March 2021 |access-date=5 April 2020 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

=== Opposing Labour-Liberal Democrat coalitions (1999–2007) ===
This meant that the party began as the official opposition in the parliament to a [[Dewar government|Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition government]]. Salmond found the move to a more consensual politics difficult and sought a return to Westminster, resigning the leadership in [[2000 Scottish National Party leadership election|2000]] with John Swinney, like Salmond a [[Fundamentalists and gradualists|gradualist]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Britten |first=Nick |date=17 July 2000 |title=Scramble to lead SNP as Salmond quits |language=en-GB |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1349165/Scramble-to-lead-SNP-as-Salmond-quits.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219070841/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1349165/Scramble-to-lead-SNP-as-Salmond-quits.html |archive-date=19 February 2012 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> victorious in the ensuring leadership election.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Emphatic SNP win for Swinney |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/2000/conferences/snp/938727.stm |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075243/https://server-uk.imrworldwide.com/a1.js |archive-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> Swinney's leadership proved ineffectual, with a loss of one MP in [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]] and a further reduction to 27 MSPs in [[2003 Scottish Parliament election|2003]] despite the [[Officegate]] scandal unseating previous [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Henry McLeish]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2001 |title=McLeish steps down |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2001/mcleish_resignation/1645219.stm |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2001/mcleish_resignation/1645219.stm |archive-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=December 2020}} However, the only parties to gain seats in that election were the [[Scottish Greens]] and the [[Scottish Socialist Party|Scottish Socialist Party (SSP)]] which like the SNP support independence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Place in the World: Independence and Scotland's Future |url=https://greens.scot/our-future/independence-and-scotland-s-future |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505192300/https://greens.scot/our-future/independence-and-scotland-s-future |archive-date=5 May 2021 |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Independence |work=Scottish Socialist Party |url=https://scottishsocialistparty.org/tag/scottish-independence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505192303/https://scottishsocialistparty.org/tag/scottish-independence/ |archive-date=5 May 2021 |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref>

Following an unsuccessful [[2003 Scottish National Party leadership election|leadership challenge]] in 2003, Swinney stepped down following disappointing results in the [[2004 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|European elections of 2004]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2004 |title=Euro poll was breaking point for Swinney |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/euro-poll-was-breaking-point-swinney-2507632 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075309/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/euro-poll-was-breaking-point-swinney-2507632 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |access-date=5 April 2020 |website=The Scotsman |language=en}}</ref> with Salmond victorious in the [[2004 Scottish National Party leadership election|subsequent leadership contest]] despite initially refusing to be candidate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 September 2004 |title=Salmond named as new SNP leader |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3622728.stm |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075247/https://secure-uk.imrworldwide.com/v51.js |archive-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> [[Nicola Sturgeon]] was elected Depute Leader and became the party's leader in the Scottish Parliament until Salmond was able to return at the next parliamentary election.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

===Salmond governments (2007–2014)===
[[File:Scottish Cabinet at Bute House, June 2007 (2).jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|The [[First Salmond government|first SNP administration]] led by [[Alex Salmond]] as [[First Minister of Scotland]], here seated next to [[Nicola Sturgeon]] in [[Bute House]]]]
In [[2007 Scottish Parliament election|2007]], the SNP emerged as the largest party in the Scottish Parliament with 47 of 129 seats, narrowly ousting [[Scottish Labour]] with 46 seats and [[Alex Salmond]] becoming [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] after ousting the Liberal Democrats in [[Gordon (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Gordon]]. The [[Scottish Greens]] supported Salmond's election as First Minister, and his subsequent appointments of ministers, in return for early tabling of the [[Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009|climate change bill]] and the SNP nominating a Green MSP to chair a parliamentary committee.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2007 |title=SNP and Greens sign working deal |publisher=BBC News Scotland |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6646227.stm |url-status=live |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301114950/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6646227.stm |archive-date=1 March 2014}}</ref> Despite this, Salmond's minority government tended to strike budget deals with the [[Scottish Conservatives|Conservatives]] to stay in office.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Brian |date=23 January 2020 |title=Could the SNP do a budget deal with the Tories? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-51227754 |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075309/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-51227754 |archive-date=21 March 2021}}</ref>

In the final few years of the New Labour government, there were four parliamentary by-elections in Scotland. The SNP saw marginal swings towards the party in three of them; [[2006 Dunfermline and West Fife by-election|2006 in Dunfermline and West Fife]], [[2008 Glenrothes by-election|2008 in Glenrothes]] and [[2009 Glasgow North East by-election|2009 in Glasgow North East]]. None were as notable than the [[2008 Glasgow East by-election]], in which the SNP's [[John Mason (Scottish politician)|John Mason]] took the third safest Labour seat in Scotland on a 22.5% swing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-07-25 |title=Glasgow East result in full |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7524550.stm |access-date=2023-03-29}}</ref>

In [[2011 Scottish Parliament election|May 2011]], the SNP won an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament with 69 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 May 2011 |title=SNP wins majority in Scottish elections |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/alex-salmonds-snp-wins-majority-in-scottish-elections |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712205311/http://www.channel4.com/news/alex-salmonds-snp-wins-majority-in-scottish-elections |archive-date=12 July 2011 |access-date=12 July 2011 |publisher=Channel 4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Our Party |language=en |work=The SNP |url=https://www.snp.org/our_party |url-status=live |access-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609001024/https://www.snp.org/our_party |archive-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> This was followed by a reverse in the party's previous opposition to [[NATO]] membership at the party's annual conference in 2012<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 October 2012 |title=SNP votes to end anti-Nato policy |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19993694 |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075245/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-19993694 |archive-date=21 March 2021}}</ref> despite Salmond's refusal to apologise for the Kosovo broadcast on the occasion of the [[2008 Kosovo declaration of independence|Kosovo Declaration of Independence]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dailyrecord.co.uk |date=19 February 2008 |title=Demand For Alex Salmond Apology Over Kosovo |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/demand-for-alex-salmond-apology-over-969199 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075246/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/demand-for-alex-salmond-apology-over-969199 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |access-date=5 April 2020 |website=dailyrecord}}</ref>

This majority enabled the SNP government to hold a [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|referendum on Scottish independence]] in 2014. The "No" vote prevailed in a close-fought campaign, prompting the resignation of First Minister [[Alex Salmond]]. Forty-five percent of Scottish voters cast their ballots for independence, with the "Yes" side receiving less support than late polling predicted.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |last2=Wintour |first2=Patrick |last3=Mason |first3=Rowena |date=19 September 2014 |title=Alex Salmond resigns as first minister after Scotland rejects independence |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/alex-salmond-resigns-first-minister-for-scotland |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403144910/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/sep/19/alex-salmond-resigns-first-minister-for-scotland |archive-date=3 April 2015}}</ref> Exit polling by Lord Ashcroft suggested that many No voters thought independence too risky,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Scotland voted, and why – Lord Ashcroft Polls |date=19 September 2014 |url=https://lordashcroftpolls.com/2014/09/scotland-voted/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714204851/https://lordashcroftpolls.com/2014/09/scotland-voted/ |archive-date=14 July 2021 |access-date=14 July 2021}}</ref> while others voted for the Union because of their emotional attachment to Britain.<ref name="centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk">{{Cite web |title=Scotland's Decision: So Who Voted Yes and Who Voted No? |url=https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/opinions/scotlands-decision-so-who-voted-yes-and-who-voted-no |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714204857/https://www.centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk/opinions/scotlands-decision-so-who-voted-yes-and-who-voted-no |archive-date=14 July 2021 |access-date=14 July 2021 |website=Centre on Constitutional Change}}</ref> Older voters, women and middle class voters voted no in margins above the national average.<ref name="centreonconstitutionalchange.ac.uk" />

Following the Yes campaign's defeat, Salmond resigned and [[Nicola Sturgeon]] won that [[2014 Scottish National Party leadership election|year's leadership election]] unopposed.

=== Sturgeon years (2014–2023) ===
[[File:2015UKelectionMapScotland.svg|alt=|thumb|234x234px|In [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]], the SNP won 56 out of 59 seats and 50% of the popular vote.|left]]
The SNP rebounded from their loss at the independence referendum at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] eight months later, led by former Depute Leader [[Nicola Sturgeon]]. The party went from holding six seats in the House of Commons to 56, ending 51 years of dominance by the Scottish Labour Party. All but three of the fifty-nine constituencies in the country elected an SNP candidate in the party's most comprehensive electoral victory at any level.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 May 2015 |title=Election 2015: SNP wins 56 of 59 seats in Scots landslide |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-scotland-32635871 |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521003643/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-scotland-32635871 |archive-date=21 May 2015}}</ref>

At the [[2016 Scottish election]], the SNP lost a net total of six seats, losing its overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, but returning for a third consecutive term as a minority government despite gaining an additional 1.1% of the constituency vote, for the party's best-ever result, from the 2011 election however 2.3% of the regional list vote. On the constituency vote, the SNP gained a net 10 seats from Labour. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats each gained two constituency seats from the SNP on 2011.
[[File:Nicola Sturgeon SNP Conference (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Nicola Sturgeon]] led the party and served as First Minister for nine years from November 2014 to March 2023.]]
This election was followed by the [[2016 European Union referendum]], after which the SNP joined with the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] and [[Scottish Greens|Greens]] to call for continued UK membership of the EU. Despite a consequential increase in the Conservative Party vote at the [[2017 Scottish local elections|2017 local elections]]<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Press Association |date=6 May 2017 |title=Local elections: Sturgeon plays down Tory success in Scotland |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/06/local-elections-sturgeon-plays-down-tory-success-in-scotland |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702121028/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/may/06/local-elections-sturgeon-plays-down-tory-success-in-scotland |archive-date=2 July 2017 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> the SNP for the first time became the largest party in each of Scotland's four city councils: [[2017 Aberdeen City Council election|Aberdeen]], [[2017 Dundee City Council election|Dundee]], [[2017 City of Edinburgh Council election|Edinburgh]] and [[2017 Glasgow City Council election|Glasgow]], where a Labour administration was ousted after 37 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2017 |title=Labour loses control of Glasgow City Council for the first time in 40 years |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-loses-glasgow-city-council-local-elections-2017-snp-scotland-brexit-general-a7719446.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321075247/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-loses-glasgow-city-council-local-elections-2017-snp-scotland-brexit-general-a7719446.html |archive-date=21 March 2021 |access-date=5 April 2020 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

At the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], the SNP underperformed compared to polling expectations, losing 21 seats to bring their number of Commons seats down to 35 – however, this was still the party's second-best result ever at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Simon |last2=Henderson |first2=Barney |date=8 June 2017 |title=Scotland election results: Alex Salmond defeated and SNP suffer huge losses as Tory chances boosted north of the border |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/08/scotland-election-results-live-will-snp-nicola-sturgeon-do/ |url-status=live |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609041756/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/08/scotland-election-results-live-will-snp-nicola-sturgeon-do/ |archive-date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 June 2017 |title=General election 2017: SNP lose a third of seats amid Tory surge |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40192707 |url-status=live |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609030212/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40192707 |archive-date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Natalie |last2=Dickie |first2=Mure |date=8 June 2017 |title=Scottish election results strike blow to SNP plans for IndyRef2 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3bc5642e-4c96-11e7-919a-1e14ce4af89b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611053343/https://www.ft.com/content/3bc5642e-4c96-11e7-919a-1e14ce4af89b |archive-date=11 June 2017 |access-date=9 June 2017 |website=Financial Times}}</ref> This was largely attributed by many, including former Deputy First Minister John Swinney,<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2017 |title=General election 2017: SNP lose a third of seats amid Tory surge |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40192707 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024045322/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40192707 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> to their stance on holding a [[second Scottish independence referendum]] and saw a swing to the unionist parties, with seats being picked up by the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats and a reduction in their majorities in the other seats. High-profile losses included SNP Commons leader [[Angus Robertson]] and former SNP leader and First Minister [[Alex Salmond]].

The SNP went on to achieve its best-ever [[European Parliament]] result [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|in the final election]] before [[Brexit]], the party taking its [[Member of European Parliament|MEP]] total to three (or half of [[Scotland (European Parliament constituency)|Scottish seats]]) and achieving a record vote share for the party. This was also the best performance of any party in the era of proportional elections to the European Parliament in [[Scotland (European Parliament constituency)|Scotland]]. This was suggested as being due to the party's [[Pro-Europeanism|europhile]] sentiment during what amounted to a single-issue election.

Later that year, the SNP experienced a surge in support at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], winning a 45.0% share of the vote and 48 seats, its second-best result ever. The party gained seven seats from the Conservatives and 6 from Labour. This victory was generally attributed to Sturgeon's cautious approach regarding holding a second independence referendum and a strong emphasis on retaining EU membership during the election campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 December 2019 |title=SNP wins election landslide in Scotland |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50766014 |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207194118/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50766014 |archive-date=7 February 2020}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=December 2020}} The following January, the strengthened [[Second Johnson ministry|Conservative government]] ensured that the UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020.
[[File:Scottish Government Press Conference - Renewing Democracy through Independence - 14th July 2022 (52216305020).jpg|left|thumb|Sturgeon addresses journalists at [[Bute House]] over her plans to [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum|hold a referendum in 2023]], a proposal that would fail after the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|Supreme Court]] ruled the parliament didn't have the power. ]]
At the [[2021 Scottish election]], the SNP won 64 seats, one seat short of a majority, albeit achieving a record high number of votes, vote share and constituency seats, and leading to another minority government led by the SNP. Sturgeon emphasised after her party's victory that it would focus on controlling the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland|COVID-19 pandemic]] as well as pushing for a second referendum on independence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish Parliament election 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c37d28xdn99t/scottish-parliament-election-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508204547/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c37d28xdn99t/scottish-parliament-election-2021 |archive-date=8 May 2021 |access-date=2021-05-08 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Although they won with a majority in 2021, a majority of MSPs elected had come from parties that supported Scottish independence; this prompted negotiations between the SNP and the Scottish Green Party to secure a deal that would see Green ministers appointed to government and the [[Scottish Greens]] backing SNP policies, with hopes that this united front on independence would solidify the SNP's mandate for the second independence referendum. The [[Third Sturgeon government]] was formed with Green support.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-08-20 |title=SNP-Greens deal pledges indyref2 within five years |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-58272209 |access-date=2022-05-06}}</ref>

In July 2021, the Scottish Police launched an investigation into possibly missing funds raised between 2017 and 2020 specifically for a second referendum. The investigation was given the code name [[Operation Branchform]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Macaskill |first=Mark |date=8 May 2022 |title=SNP £600,000 fundraising fraud allegations 'may have substance' |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/snp-600-000-fundraising-fraud-allegations-may-have-substance-fx2msxpp6}}</ref> In the [[2022 Scottish local elections]], the SNP remained as the biggest party, winning a record number of councillors and securing majority control of [[2022 Dundee City Council election|Dundee]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sim |first=Philip |date=2022-05-09 |title=The numbers behind Scotland's council election results |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-61371483 |access-date=2022-05-12}}</ref> On 15 February 2023, Sturgeon announced her intention to resign as leader and first minister.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-15 |title=End of an era as Nicola Sturgeon waves farewell |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-64652687 |access-date=2023-03-03}}</ref>

On 16 March 2023, it was revealed that the SNP's membership had fallen to 72,000, down from over 125,000 at the end of 2019. As a result of this, CEO [[Peter Murrell]] resigned on 18 March after criticism was levied at him over the way the figures were published.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-18 |title=SNP chief executive Peter Murrell resigns over membership row |language=en-GB |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65000606.amp |access-date=2023-03-18}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

=== Yousaf era (March 2023 – May 2024) ===
{{See also|Premiership of Humza Yousaf|Operation Branchform}}
[[File:First Minister meets with Icelandic President.jpg|thumb|right|Yousaf meets with [[President of Iceland]], [[Guðni Th. Jóhannesson]], 2024]]

[[Humza Yousaf]] was announced as the next Leader of the Scottish National Party on 27 March 2023 after winning the [[2023 Scottish National Party leadership election|leadership election]]. Yousaf defeated challenger [[Kate Forbes]] in the final stage, with 52% of the vote to Forbes' 48%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 February 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon resigns: SNP to announce new leader on 27 March as Swinney rules himself out |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-64648879 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New SNP leader to be revealed March 27 following resignation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/new-snp-leader-march-27-nicola-sturgeon-resignation/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=LBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The SNP leadership race's contenders to replace Nicola Sturgeon: Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf |url=https://news.sky.com/story/snp-leadership-contest-who-will-replace-nicola-sturgeon-as-next-party-leader-and-scotlands-first-minister-12815798 |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Sky News}}</ref> The leadership election was dominated by the strategy for a [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum|second independence referendum]] and the [[Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill|Gender Recognition Reform Bill]], which has divided the party.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-01 |title=SNP leadership hustings: Candidates split on gender reform legal challenge |url=https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,snp-leadership-hustings-candidates-split-on-gender-reform-legal-challenge |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Holyrood Website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nicola Sturgeon leaves with Scotland split in two |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/02/15/nicola-sturgeon-leaves-with-scotland-split-in-two |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> On 29 March 2023, Yousaf was appointed First Minister of Scotland. On 18 April, his government published its policy prospectus titled "Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – A fresh start"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Equality, opportunity, community: New leadership – A fresh start |url=http://www.gov.scot/publications/equality-opportunity-community-new-leadership-fresh-start/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=www.gov.scot}}</ref>

On 23 August 2023, Murray Foote was appointed as the new Chief Executive of the SNP.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-23 |title=Murray Foote appointed as new SNP chief executive |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-66596560 |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref> On 12 October 2023, MP [[Lisa Cameron]] [[crossed the floor]] to join the Scottish Conservatives, ahead of counting the votes on her selection contest within the SNP for the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]]. She became the first elected representative from the SNP to defect to a unionist party. Cameron claimed a "toxic and bullying" culture in the SNP led to her defection.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 October 2023 |title=SNP MP Lisa Cameron defects to the Conservatives, citing 'toxic and bullying' culture |work=[[Politics.co.uk]] |url=https://www.politics.co.uk/news/2023/10/12/snp-mp-lisa-cameron-defects-to-the-conservatives-citing-toxic-and-bullying-culture/ |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2023 |title=Lisa Cameron's defection has deeper roots than deselection threat |last=Gordon| first=Tom |work=[[Herald (Scotland)|The Herald]] |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23852441.lisa-camerons-defection-deeper-roots-snp-deselection-threat/ |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref>

On 15 October 2023, the SNP National Conference voted in favour of Yousaf's strategy on Scottish independence, including a number of amendments proposed from senior SNP representatives. This committed the SNP to launching a Scotland-wide independence campaign before the end of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Explained in five minutes: The independence strategy adopted at the SNP conference |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23857464.explained-snp-independence-strategy-adopted-conference/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=The Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-14 |title=Humza Yousaf signals change in independence strategy |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-67113124 |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref> Yousaf also made a number of policy announcements, including a freeze on Council Tax rates, additional funding for the NHS to reduce waiting lists as well as the issuing of [[government bond]]s to fund infrastructure projects.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Carrell |first1=Severin |date=2023-10-17 |title=Scottish council tax to be frozen next year, Humza Yousaf tells SNP conference  |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/oct/17/scottish-council-tax-to-be-frozen-next-year-humza-yousaf-tells-snp-conference |access-date=2023-10-17 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mnyanda |first=Lukanyo |date=2023-10-17 |title=Scotland to issue bonds for the first time, says SNP's Humza Yousaf |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8b697548-db15-4927-8fca-3269b25f7043 |access-date=2023-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Meighan |first=Craig |date=2023-10-17 |title=Humza Yousaf to pledge £300m for Scotland's NHS to cut waiting lists |url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/humza-yousaf-to-announce-300m-investment-to-tackle-scottish-nhs-waiting-lists-at-snp-aberdeen-conference |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=STV News}}</ref>

On 25 April 2024, it was announced that the [[Bute House Agreement]] would come to an end<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meighan |first=Craig |date=2024-04-25 |title=SNP breaks off power-share agreement with Scottish Greens |url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/snp-set-to-break-off-power-sharing-bute-house-agreement-with-scottish-greens |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=STV News}}</ref> before a vote was to be held by the Scottish Greens on whether to continue the agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-19 |title=Scottish Greens to vote on SNP power-sharing agreement after climate target ditched |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cekl2v3124go |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=BBC News }}</ref> Four days later, Yousaf announced that he would be resigning as Leader of the Scottish National Party and as First Minister of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Smout |first1=Alistair |last2=Bruce |first2=Andy |title=Humza Yousaf quits as Scotland's first minister in boost to Labour's chances in UK vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/scotlands-yousaf-set-resign-first-minister-uk-media-say-2024-04-29/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

====Operation Branchform====
In April 2023, two SNP officials were arrested and released without charge in connection with the [[Operation Branchform|investigation into Scottish National Party finances]]. Peter Murrell was arrested on 5 April<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell arrested in SNP finance probe |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65187823/}}</ref> and Colin Beattie, the SNP treasurer, on 18 April.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 April 2023 |title=Colin Beattie: Police arrest SNP treasurer in finance probe |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65309791 |access-date=2023-04-18}}</ref> Murrell is the husband of former party leader, Nicola Sturgeon. The day Murrell was arrested and interviewed, [[Police Scotland]] also searched a number of addresses, including the SNP's headquarters and Murrell's home in Glasgow.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrell |first=Severin |date=5 April 2023 |title=Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, arrested in SNP funding inquiry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/05/peter-murrell-nicola-sturgeons-husband-arrested-over-snp-funding-investigation |access-date=5 April 2023 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Breaking |first=BBC |date=5 April 2023 |title=Sturgeon's husband arrested in SNP finance probe |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-65187823 |access-date=5 April 2023}}</ref> Beattie resigned as SNP treasurer and was replaced by Stuart McDonald.<ref>{{Cite news |title=MP Stuart McDonald replaces Colin Beattie as SNP treasurer |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |date=22 April 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/22/mp-stuart-mcdonald-replaces-colin-beattie-as-snp-treasurer}}</ref>

Also in April, it was reported that the SNP's auditors, Johnston Carmichael, had resigned from their role around October 2022, and were yet to be replaced, three months before the party's accounts 2022 were due to be submitted to the Electoral Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Chris |date=2023-04-11 |title=SNP auditors quit months before Sturgeon resignation and her husband's arrest, Yousaf reveals |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/snp-auditors-quit-nicola-sturgeon-resignation-husband-arrest-humza-yousaf-2268555 |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=inews.co.uk}}</ref> New auditors were appointed in May.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-03 |title=SNP appoints new auditor as deadline looms for filing accounts |work=BBC News |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/may/03/snp-appoints-new-auditor-deadline-looms-filing-accounts |access-date=2023-08-23}}</ref> Filing the party accounts in June 2023, the new auditors highlighted that they had not been able to find original records for some cash and cheques.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Auditors find records of SNP cash and cheques 'not kept by the party' |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/23624282.auditors-find-records-snp-cash-cheques-not-kept-party/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SNP auditor flags missing documents as party approves accounts |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,snp-auditor-flags-missing-documents-as-party-approves-accounts}}</ref>

Murrell was re-arrested on 18 April 2024 and charged with embezzlement. He later resigned his membership of the SNP. A [[Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service]] spokesman confirmed that it received a report in relation to Murrell and that an investigation into two other individuals "a man aged 72 and a 53-year-old woman" were still ongoing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nicola Sturgeon still being investigated over missing SNP funds |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/nicola-sturgeon-investigation-operation-branchform-missing-snp-funds-k0ff9zr78#:~:text=Nicola%20Sturgeon%20remains%20under%20investigation,her%20husband%20embezzled%20party%20funds. |access-date=24 May 2024 |agency=The Times |date=24 May 2024}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-18 |title=Peter Murrell charged with embezzlement in SNP probe |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-68850088 |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Swinney era (May 2024 onwards) ===
[[File:John Swinney - First Minister (53720492021).jpg|thumb|right|Swinney became party leader on 6 May 2024 and subsequently became [[First Minister of Scotland]] on 8 May]]

On 6 May 2024, [[John Swinney]] was confirmed as the new leader of the Scottish National Party in the [[2024 Scottish National Party leadership election]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=John Swinney wins SNP leadership unopposed |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c72pk2qpqevo |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was unopposed in the race as on 2 May his main speculated challenger, [[Kate Forbes]], announced she would not stand in the race and endorsed Swinney<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=John Swinney looks set to be first minister as Kate Forbes backs him |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c88zvgl9y9go |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> and on 5 May, Graeme McCormick claimed that he secured enough member votes for a nomination but then dropped out the same evening following a conversation with Swinney, ultimately endorsing him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-05 |title=John Swinney to become SNP leader after challenger drops out |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy0lgnm3037o |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

During the campaign for the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], the SNP was investigated by Holyrood authorities for allegedly misusing MSPs' expenses to fund their campaigning. An anonymous complaint was sent to [[Alison Johnstone]] in which an individual claimed that stamps bought with expenses were given to Westminster election candidates for mailing leaflets. The complaint included a WhatsApp screenshot showing MSP staff discussing the traceability of the stamps. Parliamentary rules state that stationery and postage provided by the [[Scottish Parliament Corporate Body]] "must be used only for parliamentary duties and must not be used for any other purpose, including party political purposes". It was reported that John Swinney's office manager had told an SNP staff WhatsApp group chat that "stamp fairy is very useful when it comes to campaigns". An SNP spokesperson confirmed the investigation and emphasized compliance with the rules, while John Swinney stated that he had been "assured that no parliamentary stamps that have been provided by Parliament have been used to support election purposes", adding that he was "confident" that there had been no use of any public money to support the SNP general election campaign. This investigation occurred amid SNP's financial struggles, falling membership, and the police investigation into alleged embezzlement. Despite a £128,000 bequest boosting their campaign, SNP spending was minimal compared to other parties.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brooks |first=Libby |title=SNP investigated over claim funds misused to support general election candidates |date=21 June 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/21/snp-investigated-misuse-funds-stamps-post-election-leaflets |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622105829/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/21/snp-investigated-misuse-funds-stamps-post-election-leaflets |archive-date=22 June 2024 |access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Swinney: Parliament stamps not used for campaign |last=Williams |first=Craig |date=23 June 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck55kg2882go |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624171000/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck55kg2882go |url-status=live }}</ref>

The SNP ultimately won nine seats in the 2024 election, a loss of 39 seats on its 2019 result, reducing it to the second-largest party in Scotland, behind [[Scottish Labour]], and the fourth-largest party in Westminster. Swinney took full responsibility but said that he would not resign as leader. He said of the results, "There will have to be a lot of soul searching as a party as a consequence of these results that have come in tonight", and that the SNP has to be "better at governing on behalf of the people of Scotland", admitting the party was not "winning the argument" on Scottish independence.<ref>{{cite news |title=SNP leader says 'soul searching' needed as Labour win big in Scotland |last=Culbertson |first=Alix |date=5 July 2024 |url=https://news.sky.com/story/snp-leader-says-soul-searching-needed-as-labour-win-big-in-scotland-13170414 |access-date= 5 July 2024 |website= Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2024, the SNP announced a plan to reduce permanent paid staff at its headquarters from twenty-six to sixteen, a reduction of more than a third, in order to "protect the long-term finances of the party" before the next Scottish Parliament election. The pressure on the SNP's finances was attributed to a reduction in [[Short Money]] they receive following the 2024 general election, along with an increased reliance on membership fees over substantial donations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 November 2024 |title=SNP plans to cut staff at party headquarters |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2ngw81vrlo |access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref>