SNP Dominant Ideas - 20 Marker

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

The SNP have won several elections in Scotland in the last decade. This is arguably because of the dominant ideas of the party. The SNP have campaigned each election by promoting the ideas of Civic Nationalism, which has been shown through its policies of ‘Stronger for Scotland’, its pro-EU policies as well as the leadership of Nicola Sturgeon, & the dominant idea of Social Justice demonstrated through its left of centre policies. This essay will evaluate these factors & argue the dominant idea of Social Justice has helped the SNP win several elections in the last 15 years

Question 2

Civic Nationalism - Point

Answer 2

One of the dominant ideas of the SNP is its promotion of Civic Nationalism, shown through its ‘Stronger for Scotland’ policy in the 2015 GE

Question 3

Civic Nationalism - Explain

Answer 3

Nicola Sturgeon keen to promote SNP as party to ‘Stand up for Scotland’ & ensure public services were protected

Local authorities have responsibility to narrow attainment gap & increase in hours of available nursery education

Question 4

Civic Nationalism - Example

Answer 4

SNP proposed to increase minimum wage to £8.70 & extend use of national Living Wage

Would improve living standards & raise investments in public services

Question 5

Civic Nationalism - Analysis

Answer 5

2015 GE SNP dominated result for Scotland, won 56/59 seats

Key factor was its appeal to Labour voters attracted by SNPs anti-austerity message

Contributed to significant SNP gains in traditional Labour heartlands

Question 6

Civic Nationalism - Rebuttal Point

Answer 6

Also displayed civic nationalism through being anti-Brexit

Question 7

Civic Nationalism - Rebuttal Explain

Answer 7

SNP is a pro-EU party & increasingly anti-Brexit over time

Once stood for independence from EU however no support ‘Independence in Europe’

Question 8

Civic Nationalism - Rebuttal Example

Answer 8

Party campaigned for Remain vote in 2016 EU Referendum

Morning after Referendum NS bemoaned result where 52% voted leave & 48% stay

Used Scottish result of 62% to articulate that Scotland was a European nation who saw itself as European

Question 9

Social Justice - Point

Answer 9

Another dominant idea of the SNP is Social Justice, shown through the party’s left-of-centre policies

Question 10

Social Justice - Explain

Answer 10

Party wants redistribution of wealth and assets to create a more equal society

Policies they’ve adopted attracted the left-wing Labour voters in Scotland

Question 11

Social Justice - Example

Answer 11

University free in Scotland, paid in England

Everyone has equal opportunity to university

Without this, people in deprived areas would be unlikely to afford uni

Question 12

Social Justice - Analysis

Answer 12

Introduced Baby Boxes worth £500 to all parents to tackle health & wealth inequalities, 93% uptake

Question 13

Social Justice - Rebuttal Point

Answer 13

Questions whether SNP policies are progressive

Question 14

Social Justice - Rebuttal Example

Answer 14

Scotland had lower proportion of poor uni students while NHS services carried out by private companies has doubled under SNP

Question 15

Social Justice - Rebuttal Analysis

Answer 15

Despite this, SNP still biggest party in 2021 Scottish election

Shows voters still largely trust SNP to deliver policies on Social Justice

Question 16

Conclusion

Answer 16

Large extent SNP dominant ideas had significant impact on electoral performance

Civic nationalism through ‘Stronger for Scotland’ helped SNP present themselves as defending Scotland’s interests

Effective in 2011 Scottish Election where SNP won a majority, not seen since

Less successful in 2014 Independence referendum where they only gained 45% of vote

Pro-EU stance damaged party’s 2017 performance where they lost 21 seats

Clear that SNP’s Social Justice policies, especially anti-austerity measures been popular with voters over last decade

SNP maintained dominant idea & seen them become largest party in Scotland in every election since 2007