PA MediaNewly released figures show that SNP membership has fallen by almost 10,000 – but the party’s financial situation has improved.
Accounts submitted to the Electoral Commission show that the SNP had 64,525 members in June this year – a decline from 74,889 in April 2023.
The accounts also showed that the party ended the year with a financial surplus of over £600,000, compared to a Deficit of more than £800,000 in 2022.
SNP treasurer Stuart McDonald said the party was now offering different payment options for membership to “prevent cancellations” as members faced pressure from the high cost of living.
Other political parties represented in Westminster have also experienced a decline in membership.
The SNP experienced rapid growth in the years following the 2014 independence vote, but between 2019 and 2023 its membership almost halved from a peak of 125,691.
The SNP report acknowledged that the party faces “significant change” in 2023 with the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon and the election of Humza Yousaf as leader.
The party continued to experience a “year of change” in 2024 with the termination of the Bute House Agreement, the resignation of Humza Yousaf, the election of John Swinney as First Minister and the general election.
Mr McDonald said the party must redouble its efforts to attract new members.
“The SNP remains a party whose main source of income is its members and supporters – and that is always reflected in our accounts,” he said.
“We are grateful to every member and supporter for their contributions, without which the party could not campaign for Scottish independence.”
The balance sheets show that the SNP is still owe former SNP leader Peter Murrell £60,000 from a loan of £107,620 made to the party in 2021.
A surplus in the party accounts of £661,568 was the result of two branch levies, the first to fund the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-elections and another to prepare for the general election.
The general election saw nine SNP MPs returned to Westminster, compared to 48 in the 2019 election.
Other political parties
The SNP was not the only party to see lower membership numbers over the course of 2023; most major parties also saw a decline.
The British Labour Party lost 37,000 members, bringing its total membership to 370,450 at the end of the year.
Although Labour remained the largest party in the United Kingdom, its membership was well below its recent peak of 532,046 members at the end of 2019.
The Liberal Democrats lost around 11,000 members, but were able to end the year with a surplus of £271,258 due to increased donations and income from party conferences.
Although the Conservatives do not publish membership figures, the party’s income from membership fees fell from £1.97 million to £1.5 million.
The Conservatives had a financial surplus of £17.9 million – helped by a £10 million donation from Lord John Sainsbury.
However, not all parties have suffered a loss of members. The Green Party in England and Wales has increased its membership from 49,000 in 2019 to around 53,000.
Reform UK claimed membership had increased “significantly” but did not release any figures.
The Scottish Greens said their finances had improved in 2023, but membership income had declined slightly.
