SNP becomes UK’s 3rd biggest party

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has become UK’s third largest political party, after a huge increase in membership since last week’s independence referendum. 

The number of people holding a SNP membership soared to a record number of 50,000 by mid-Wednesday, compared to some 25,600 registered on the day of the independence vote.

The surge has put the SNP as UK’s third largest political party in terms of card-carrying membership, passing the coalition party, the Liberal Democrats, and the eurosceptic Ukip party.

According to latest membership figures, the Liberal Democrats had some 43,450 members at the start of this year and the Ukip had about 38,100 members in May.

SNP business convener, Derek Mackay, commented on the party’s new figure, saying that the rise “confirms that it is the SNP that the people of Scotland trust to work in Scotland’s best interests.”

Mackay added that the referendum has also resulted in a rise in democratic engagement, which will force the British government to keep its devolution pledges made ahead of the vote, since “people simply won’t accept the same old politics as usual from Westminster.”

Britain’s three main party leaders vowed just two days before the vote that Scotland would receive extensive powers, including the tax-raising authority, if voters decide to stay within the UK.

However, following the referendum, Prime Minister David Cameron said the constitutional reforms, including those promised for Scotland, would not be delivered until after the general election.

On September 18, Scottish voters cast their ballots in the independence referendum, which resulted in a 55-45 percent vote against breaking away from the UK.

CAH/AB/SS