The dark history of the SNP

The Scottish National party, under new and inferior management, continues to struggle out from under English oppression – colonialist oppression, as seems to be the view of the outward bound Mhairi Black, who wants Scotland to be the sixty-third country to escape from England. Yet, running through the SNP’s history has been a thin line of tenderness for authoritarian rule and rulers that contradicts its own struggle for freedom. 

Despotic ideologies attracted thousands of followers in the 20s and 30s. Communism, inspired by the Bolshevik takeover in Russia, carried the promise of freedom and power for the working class, while fascism gained a hold in the 20s after the success of Benito Mussolini in seizing power in 1922. This support was as true in Scotland as in England. Communism attracted elements of the working class and intellectuals, while fascism had several aristocratic followers, and brought in anti-communist small business people and some skilled workers. It also, writes Gavin Bowd in his 2013 book Fascist Scotland, attracted many poor women because its branches in Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere ran ‘kitchen evenings’ where free food was served.