SNP to Cut Staff by One-Third Amid Financial Struggles

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has decided to cut its headquarters staff from 26 to 16, a reduction of over a third, as part of a financial restructuring initiative ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections. This move follows a disappointing performance in the July general election, where the party's representation fell from 48 to just nine MPs, resulting in a loss of significant government funding. National Secretary Alex Kerr emphasized that this restructuring aims to protect the party's long-term finances and create a modern, dynamic organization capable of winning future elections. The SNP's reliance on membership fees has drastically increased, with 81% of its funding now coming from this source, compared to 35% in 2015. The party faces strong competition from a resurgent Labour Party, which significantly increased its seats in Westminster. The decision to streamline operations has sparked discussions about the party's financial management and future electoral strategies.