Swinney's Brexit Warning to Sturgeon: Documentary Reveals SNP Tensions

A forthcoming BBC documentary has unveiled significant internal tensions within the Scottish National Party (SNP), particularly surrounding the aftermath of the 2016 Brexit referendum. The program, set to air on September 10 and 11, 2024, sheds light on crucial decisions and disagreements that have shaped Scotland's political landscape over the past eight years.

John Swinney, who assumed the role of First Minister in May 2024, disclosed that he had advised Nicola Sturgeon against immediately calling for a second independence referendum following the Brexit vote. Despite 62% of Scottish voters opting to remain in the EU, Swinney expressed concern that the public might not be ready for another major constitutional decision so soon after the 2014 independence referendum.

"I was nervous that Scots would not want another major constitutional referendum, only two years after the first independence vote."

Sturgeon, however, proceeded with her announcement, declaring another independence vote "highly likely" mere hours after the Leave campaign's victory. This move proved detrimental to the SNP in the subsequent 2017 snap general election, resulting in the loss of 21 seats and the ousting of former leader Alex Salmond from his parliamentary position.

The documentary also reveals Salmond's criticism of Sturgeon's leadership and strategy. He argued that her repeated promises of a referendum without delivery had a demoralizing effect on supporters. Salmond, who now leads the rival Alba Party founded in 2021, expressed doubts about the quality of Sturgeon's team and advisors.

Interestingly, the program discloses that Salmond had cautioned Sturgeon about potential conflicts of interest when she became First Minister in November 2014. He advised against her husband, Peter Murrell, remaining as SNP chief executive, foreseeing potential difficulties and media scrutiny.

The documentary arrives amidst ongoing police investigations into the SNP's handling of over £600,000 in donations raised for a second independence referendum. Operation Branchform, initiated in July 2021, has led to several high-profile arrests, including those of Sturgeon, Murrell, and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie.

This political drama unfolds against the backdrop of Scotland's complex devolution history. The Scottish Parliament, established in 1999, has been dominated by the SNP since 2007. The party's membership peaked at over 125,000 in 2019 but has since declined, reflecting the challenges faced by the independence movement.

As the documentary prepares to air, it promises to offer unprecedented insights into the inner workings of Scotland's leading political party and the personal relationships that have shaped its trajectory over the past decade.