The Scottish National Party (SNP) faced criticism for its low attendance during a recent royal visit to the Scottish Parliament. Russell Findlay, the new Scottish Conservative leader, observed that approximately one-third of SNP Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) were absent during the King and Queen's appearance at Holyrood on September 28, 2024.
Findlay noted, "I counted 22 empty seats on the nationalist benches." He interpreted this as a display of "anti-monarchy sentiment" within the SNP, contrasting it with the party's stance during the 2014 independence referendum.
The royal visit marked the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, established in 1999. The parliament building, opened in 2004 and designed by Spanish architect Enric Miralles, has been the center of Scottish politics for two decades.
In his address, the King emphasized Scotland's significance to the royal family, referencing his late mother's decision to spend her final moments at Balmoral Castle in 2022. Balmoral has been a private royal estate since 1852, underlining its historical importance.
Findlay described the King's speech as "incredibly touching," highlighting its symbolism of the "enduring Union." This sentiment aligns with the Scottish Conservative Party's unionist stance, which has been central to their platform since the party's formation in 1965.
The SNP, founded in 1934, has been the largest party in the Scottish Parliament since 2007. With 129 MSPs in total, the parliament uses a mixed electoral system and has devolved powers over areas such as health, education, and justice.
Findlay's comments were made during a panel discussion on the Union at the UK Conservative conference, an annual gathering of party members. He contrasted the current situation with the 2014 referendum campaign, where Alex Salmond, then-SNP leader, had promised continuity in monarchy and currency.
"Going into the 2014 referendum, Alex Salmond tried to pretend that nothing would change, that we would have the monarchy, we would have the pound sterling. But deep down within the nationalist movement, of course, is an anti-monarchy sentiment."
The Scottish Parliament, which meets three days a week, has the power to vary income tax rates in Scotland, demonstrating its significant role in Scottish governance. The First Minister, as head of the Scottish Government, leads the executive branch of this devolved administration.
As of the time of reporting, the SNP had not responded to requests for comment on the allegations of disrespect towards the monarchy.