A senior Scottish National Party figure has described comments made by Nicola Sturgeon in the paperback edition of her memoir as a mistake, saying they risk creating an unnecessary distraction for the party.
Party unity and constructive intervention
Stephen Flynn, who served as the SNP’s Westminster leader and now holds the post of cabinet secretary for economy, tourism and transport, told an Edinburgh Fringe event that while former first ministers have an important role in public debate, their contributions should be constructive.
Referring to remarks published in the foreword to Ms Sturgeon’s book — in which she suggested the party’s Holyrood election campaign suffered from a “lack of vision or big picture thinking” — Mr Flynn said the timing and tone had been unhelpful for colleagues attempting to focus on delivery.
“A little bit frustrating because you’re trying to get on and deliver, and there’s there’s a distraction here which is being created.”
He added that, given their experience, former first ministers are valuable contributors to political debate, but that interventions should be framed to help rather than hinder the party’s efforts.
Reflection rather than rancour
Mr Flynn told the Political Party event with Matt Forde that he has reflected on his own public interventions in recent years and recognised he had made mistakes. He extended that assessment to Ms Sturgeon’s foreword, describing it as an error of judgement rather than an act of malice.
He said party figures were more frustrated than angry, and that the reaction within the hierarchy reflected a desire to hear Ms Sturgeon’s views rather than to be undermined by them. He stressed the value of her insight while urging a constructive tone going forward.
Implications for SNP leadership and public debate
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions within the SNP over the role of former leaders in shaping current strategy and messaging. It underlines a delicate balance: the party stands to benefit from the authority and experience of high-profile former ministers, yet risks internal distraction if those figures publicly critique active campaigns.
The intervention also raises questions about how the SNP will manage public disagreements as it attempts to deliver on policy aims and regain momentum after recent electoral challenges. Mr Flynn’s remarks emphasise the priority placed on cohesion and forward-focused messaging by the party’s current leadership.
- Speaker: Stephen Flynn, cabinet secretary for economy, tourism and transport.
- Context: Comments made at an Edinburgh Fringe event about Nicola Sturgeon’s foreword to the paperback edition of her memoir, Frankly.
- Reaction: Described as a mistake that creates a distraction for delivery-focused party figures.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source of remarks | Edinburgh Fringe event — Political Party with Matt Forde |
| Book | Frankly (paperback edition foreword) |
| Core criticism | Foreword said Holyrood campaign lacked vision or big picture thinking |
Mr Flynn’s comments will be closely watched by party activists and commentators. They provide a measure of the SNP leadership’s approach to handling criticism from within the movement, and signal a preference for criticism that aids practical delivery rather than generating internal debate.
As the party navigates the coming months, the incident serves as a reminder that public interventions by high-profile former officeholders can carry both weight and risk. Senior figures, current and former, may now weigh the likely impact of their remarks on the party’s ability to focus on policy implementation and electoral recovery.
