nats have ad it with facebook
SNP’s paltry £738 spend dwarfed by rivals’ outlay on site
The SNP has spent a tiny amount on Facebook adverts compared with Labour and the Tories in a general election year.
An online database suggests the SNP have only spent £738 on a handful of ads, with some focusing on former leader Nicola Sturgeon.
In contrast, Labour and the Tories at a UK level have spent more than £750,000 each.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “This shows that only Scottish Labour is serious about speaking to the people of Scotland and engaging with their concerns.
“As the SNP’s financial woes continue, it is clear that they are struggling to operate seriously as a political party.”
The ongoing police investigation into SNP donations when Sturgeon was in charge has put a major spotlight on the party’s finances.” Pressure on SNP budgets has also come from a fall in the number of party members. An online trends website tracks the spending of political parties on Meta, the company behind Facebook. The Conservative Party, including local associations and candidates, has spent £892,977 this year on the social media site. Labour and associated groups were in second place on £720,834 but the database shows the SNP’s total spend since January 1 is a paltry £783.
The Trossachs and Teith branch was responsible for £420 of the sum, which included an ad defending Sturgeon from media criticism.
It stated: “If the appalling comments made by Unionist politicians and Media ‘pundits’ about Nicola Sturgeon have annoyed you, a good way to respond is – join The SNP. Its very easy, not expensive and shows the naysayers what we feel.”
Another ad plugged an appearance by Sturgeon at a Burns supper, saying: “A standing ovation and a full house for our guest speaker, Nicola Sturgeon, with a rousing toast to Scotland. A wonderful start to campaigning in 2024.” Another £345 was spent by SNP Pentlands West and £18 for an advert by MSP Fiona Hyslop on a local train station.
There were no records of Meta adverts promoting national SNP messages.
In the same period, the Lib
Dems spent £24, 235, the Green Party shelled out £15,063 and the right-wing Reform spent £14,160.
A senior SNP figure told the Record he is concerned the SNP will be massively outspent in the general election. But an SNP source countered by saying the party’s huge membership meant it had a huge “organic” reach across social media platforms.
They pointed to the last Holyrood election where Labour spent way more than the SNP on social media adverts but came third.
SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: “In Scotland, over the last six years the SNP has run the most effective Facebook ads campaigns on a cost per voter and cost per seat basis.
“Unlike our main political rivals, the SNP’s digital campaigns continue to be powered by our members and supporters who make sure our message reaches voters.”
He added: “Ultimately, no amount of money or campaigning will be able to cover up the damage the Westminster parties have caused people across Scotland.”
It is clear that they are struggling to operate jackie baillie criticises snp’s facebook strategy