D-day for Thewliss and Flynn as SNP Westminster leader chosen

Alison Thewliss “would work closer” with the Scottish Government, SNP headquarters and the “party at large” if elected Westminster leader, sources have claimed.

Her team believe the SNP Shadow would collaborate more with Holyrood, and is "above the divisive issues" that have previously caused spats within the party. She is running against Stephen Flynn, the MP for Aberdeen South, the only other candidate standing. MPS will vote for the new leader tonight at the group’s AGM.

Meanwhile, Ms Thewliss nominated MP Stuart Mcdonald to be her deputy yesterday, following the announcement

Ian Blackford would stand down last week. His deputy, Kirsten Oswald, also said she would step away from her role at the party’s AGM.

A source close to Ms Thewliss’s campaign told The Scotsman her appointment would bring about “smarter collaboration” across the SNP.

They said: “There would be a focus on teamwork, bringing out the best of the group in Westminster. It would be helping to work with colleagues in other parts of the party, whether that’s headquarters, the Scottish government or the party at large.

“There has been a suggestion remote control from Edinburgh is a problem, the idea Westminster needs to be free from HQ, and that is wrong.” The source also insisted Ms

Name: Stephen Flynn

Age: 34

Elected: Won Aberdeen South in the 2019 election

Background: Elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2015

Appointed as the SNP Spokesperson for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy earlier this year

Previously linked with a coup against Ian Blackford, from which he since distanced himself

Has yet to nominate a running mate to be his deputy leader

Thewliss was not “continuity Blackford”, but insisted they were against his resignation.

They said: “She is not continuity Blackford, she is very much her own woman who charts her own course, and that is about teamwork and collaboration.

“None of us favoured Ian resigning, we think it’s an act of madness.

“He is one of the few politicians to have a net approval rating, and when he resigned his approval rating went up by 13 point. The party adores him, and you can see that when he goes on stage or does events.”

Yesterday also saw the MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth & Kirkintilloch East, Stuart Mcdonald, throw his hat in the ring, announcing he would stand to be second in command, after a nomination from Ms Thewliss.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Mr Mcdonald said: “The party is at such an important point in its history.

“Our mission is to actively build and make the case for a progressive alternative to Tory austerity and Brexit – Scotland’s independence in Europe.

“As deputy leader of the group, I’ll work with Alison to build a strong, focused Westminster team that works in collaboration with colleagues from across the party. We’ve got a big job ahead. Let’s get it done.”

Aberdeen South MP Mr Flynn has not officially announced who his pick for deputy would be, but is understood to have claimed it will be Mhairi Black if he wins. According to reports, two sources said that Flynn has told MPS Black, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, will stand to be his deputy.

Mr Blackford has earlier insisted he was not pushed out by his own MPS.

He said: "No I took the decision, I need to make sure my talents are used in the right way to support the government and support the first minister. I certainly take the view that if I had stood at the AGM that I still would have been the SNP'S Westminster leader but I think now is the right time to allow other people to come forward."