Activists ‘alienated ’ as SNP failed to win key marginal Holyrood seat
The SNP failed to win a key marginal seat in Edinburgh after activists fell out with a candidate and turned to party chiefs for help, The Scotsman understands.
Party activists in Edinburgh Southern contacted SNP HQ after relationships with the candidate for the seat, Catriona Macdonald, broke down in March – around six weeks before polling day.
Edinburgh Southern was a key target for the SNP and was viewed as winnable ahead of the election with Scottish Labour incumbent Daniel Johnson protecting a majority of 1,123 votes, making it the fifth most marginal seat in the country.
However, on polling day
Scottish Labour saw a swing of 3 per cent in their favour, with Mr Johnson returned with a majority of more than 4,000 following a record 71 per cent turnout in the constituency.
It is understood the constituency association was forced to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday, March 21, due to concerns around how the campaign was being fought.
Following the emergency meeting, SNP HQ were contacted by the constituency association in a bid to revive the campaign’s hopes.
However, it is understood there was no help provided despite the request.
One local SNP source said the campaign was “blighted by an inexperienced candidate”, adding Ms Macdonald’s approach had left activists “alienated rather than mobilised”.
The source said: "This campaign was blighted by an inexperienced candidate who was neither inclusive of nor communicative with activists and constituency party organisations.”