Scottish National Party membership jumps by more than 25,000 since 2014
Membership of the Scottish National Party is up more than 25,000 since 2014 and has seen an uptick since the referendum.
The party said its membership has now soared above 120,000 since the aftermath of the Brexit vote, jumping by 4,000 since the referendum.
Member of Scottish Parliament and SNP business convener Derek Mackay said: “The incredible upsurge in SNP membership shows no signs of stopping – with membership now over 120,000, putting the party in a strong position as we deliver our ambitious manifesto in government and lead the opposition to the Tories at Westminster.
This extraordinary increase in membership makes clear that it is the SNP which people trust to stand up for Scotland’s best interests – in contrast to a Labour party in complete disarray north and south of the border, and a Tory party which has taken Scotland to the brink of being dragged out of the EU.
“That membership has grown substantially since the EU referendum vote is testament to the strength of feeling in Scotland that we must not be dragged out of Europe against our will – and the SNP in government will continue to explore every option to maintain our EU status.”
The numbers are however shadowed by Labour.
This week it completed a mind-boggling fundraising drive in 48 hours by asking supporters to contribute £25 to vote in its upcoming leadership election. The party estimates that roughly 183,000 people signed up to vote in the last 48 hours, with each paying £25 a pop.
It equates to a cash injection of £4.6m for Labour raised in just two days.
The number of people signing up to join the vote in the party's leadership election as £25 registered supporters is more than the entire membership of the Conservatives (150,000), and more than double that of the Lib Dems (76,000).