Several people have already blogged about Brian Souter's donation of £500,000 to the SNP this weekend. Some in the press have implied that this means the SNP's loyalty can be bought or our policies influenced.
Call me naive, but I don't believe that the SNP would ever go down a route which allowed the size of someone's cheque book to undermine the internal democracy of the party. We have never had wealthy people falling over themselves to donate, perhaps we have no equivalent to the honours and influence that Labour and the Tories can bestow. We want people to come to us for the right reasons, and we've been selective about who gives us money - as Al Fayed found only last year. The only reason I'm comfortable with taking Souter's money is that I don't believe it will buy him any influence.
Last year, the YSI put forward a motion to annual Conference on bus re-regulation which was passed by acclaim. It read:
I don't know what Brian Souter thinks of that; I don't know whether he's even an SNP member, but if he wanted to change the policy, the idea would have to come through the party. That brake on the power of wealthy donors is something which I am glad exists, and will always fight to protect (even if I have to write to The Herald).
Call me naive, but I don't believe that the SNP would ever go down a route which allowed the size of someone's cheque book to undermine the internal democracy of the party. We have never had wealthy people falling over themselves to donate, perhaps we have no equivalent to the honours and influence that Labour and the Tories can bestow. We want people to come to us for the right reasons, and we've been selective about who gives us money - as Al Fayed found only last year. The only reason I'm comfortable with taking Souter's money is that I don't believe it will buy him any influence.
Last year, the YSI put forward a motion to annual Conference on bus re-regulation which was passed by acclaim. It read:
The SNP recognises the failures of bus deregulation across Scotland and reiterates its support for re-regulation of Scotland's buses. Since deregulation, passenger numbers have fallen and many essential services on less profitable routes have been cut.
A system of re-regulation will aim to simplify ticketing, halt the system of several companies competing for passengers on the same route and increase overall passenger numbers.
The SNP calls for an integrated public transport system for all modes of public transport in Scotland which will reverse the trends of deregulation – ultimately providing a world-leading and affordable transport system for Scotland's people and tourists alike.
I don't know what Brian Souter thinks of that; I don't know whether he's even an SNP member, but if he wanted to change the policy, the idea would have to come through the party. That brake on the power of wealthy donors is something which I am glad exists, and will always fight to protect (even if I have to write to The Herald).
