SNP membership figure slumps to 64,525 in wake of party troubles
dailyrecord.co.ukThe SNP’s membership has plummeted by nearly half in the wake of a police probe into party finances and two First Ministers resigning.The latest figure, revealed in party accounts, stands at 64,525.Auditors also said some original documents for "membership, donations and raffle income" were not kept.SNP membership soared to around 125,000 in 2019, growth spurred by unprecedented electoral success.But the numbers have fallen dramatically since that high point.The figure was around 72,000 in last year's leadership contest between Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes.The SNP’s accounts for 2023, published by the Electoral Commission, show the membership figure now standing at 64,525.The document states: "Our membership has fallen from recent historic highs.
In addition, our members continue to face the same cost of living pressures as everybody else. "This impacts not only on membership income, but on donations and fundraisingIncome too."The accounts show a party in better financial health compared to the previous 12 months.They disclose a surplus of £661,568 during 2023, compared to a deficit of £804,278 in 2022.But the accounts also said there are "caveats" to the "improved" position, such as legacy donations not yet received.More widely, auditors concluded: "During the course of our audit we identified that original documentation in respect to some Items of cash and cheques received, relating to membership, donations and raffia income were not kept by the Party prior to July2023."We have been unable to satisfy ourselves by alternative means regarding the completeness of income for the current and prior year in respect of the above limitation in scope. "Consequently, we are unable to determine whether any adjustment to income is
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