Followers turn on party ahead of May poll

SCORES of SNP supporters are in open revolt against the party, with many claiming they will not vote for it come the May election.

Once-loyal party followers have been announcing in recent weeks that they are going to boycott the SNP, with many citing the handling of the Alex Salmond allegations. Others have claimed their lack of support is due to concerns over Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership.

Their comments come after former deputy leader of the SNP Jim Sillars vowed this week not to vote for the party in May. Mr Sillars said he considers the people leading the party to be ‘highly dubious’ – amid allegations of a plot among its top officials to have former leader Alex Salmond prosecuted and jailed.

On social media, dozens of SNP supporters vented their frustration towards the party.

One tweet read: ‘Absolutely fed up blocking the sycophants and corruption enablers on here. Do me a favour. If you still think [we] should hold our noses and vote for the SNP, if Nicola Sturgeon is still FM in May just block me. It’ll save me the bother.’ Another added: ‘Sturgeon needs to go. Not voting SNP this year for the first time in my voting life.’

A third supporter tweeted: ‘Yea am [sic] not voting SNP in May any more.

‘Lost my support. After 13 years in power, they have become complacent, thanks in large to a lack of visible opposition.

‘That doesn’t excuse the behaviour of Nicola Sturgeon and her Gov in the context of the Salmond Inquiry.’

Another wrote online: ‘Family, friends and acquaintances who are all big independence supporters not voting for the SNP for the first time ever. Including myself. It feels a lot like Labour in 2015 again. It may be that the crash will not be quite as dramatic given the lack of opposition, however.’

Another said: ‘Just spoke to two Yes absolute SNP fanatics I had to pick my jaw off the ground at what they had to say about Sturgeon, they have now both cancelled their memberships and are hoping Sturgeon not only gets kicked out but gets jailed. Extremely telling.’

On Wednesday, Mr Sillars, 83 – who this month called for Ms Sturgeon to be replaced – told Sky News: ‘I for one, I’m a member of the party, I am not voting for them.’