SNP membership Hits New High - Surging 23% in 2012

PARTY BUCKING TREND OF DECLINING MEMBERSHIP ACROSS UK PARTIES
The SNP’s membership has surged by almost a quarter during 2012, the party announced today.

Up-to-date figures published today by the party find that – at the end of 2012, there are now 24,732 members. This compares to 20,139 at this point last year – a rise of 22.8%.

And – according to a study published earlier this month – the SNP’s booming membership is bucking the trend of decline in the UK-wide ranks of Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories.

The paper by the House of Commons Library shows that, while membership of all three of the biggest Westminster parties declined significantly between 2003 and 2011, SNP membership more than doubled in the same period – and has further increased in 2012 according to today’s figures.

Between 2003 and 2011, individual party membership of the Tories across the UK declined by at least 31.5%, the Lib Dems fell by 31.0%, and Labour membership declined by 10.2%. Over a longer period, the report shows that Labour membership fell by 52.3% between 1997 and 2011.

Between 2003 and 2011, SNP membership increased by 111.6% - and by a further 22.8% in 2012.

Welcoming today’s figures, SNP Business Convener Derek Mackay MSP said:

“Membership of the SNP is booming - more than doubling between 2003 and 2011, and increasing by nearly a quarter in 2012 - which is a fantastic sign ahead of the referendum. More and more people are responding positively to our record in government and our vision of an independent Scotland, and want to play their part in bringing that about.

“Given that over 143,000 people have already signed the Yes declaration, it is clear that the positive case for Scotland's future is building momentum.

"In contrast to the SNP's rising membership, the plummeting figures for the Westminster parties shows just how disillusioned people have become with what they have to offer."

Notes: The House of Commons Library report on UK party membership can be viewed at http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN05125