The Briefing Room

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David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

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The Briefing Room: “Turmoil” in the SNP

“Turmoil” in the SNP

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, “Turmoil” in the SNP

A senior SNP MP says the party is in turmoil. Why?

According to one of its MPs the SNP is in unprecedented turmoil at a time when its goal, an independent Scotland, may never have been closer. So what’s going on?

The prospect of independence for Scotland may never have been brighter for the SNP.  Elections to Holyrood are due in May and the party has promised to seek a new referendum on independence if it gains a majority. Yet, at the same time, a prominent SNP MP concluded this week that the “turmoil” within her party was “unprecedented”. Others have talked about the “fight to the death” that’s currently being waged between supporters of the leader, Nicola Sturgeon and supporters of her predecessor, Alex Salmond. The feud has its roots in a government investigation of Mr Salmond in 2018 that led to him being charged with a number of sexual offences. A jury cleared Mr Salmond on all counts in a trial last year. So what’s going on in the SNP? How can it be so apparently popular while being so deeply divided? And how might this affect its chances of realising its ambition of an independent Scotland?

With BBC Scotland editor, Sarah Smith,; journalist Dani Garavelli; and Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University, Sir John Curtice.

Producers: Tim Mansel, Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight
Editor: Jasper Corbett

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