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{{Short description|Defunct Scottish nationalist party}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox political party
{{Infobox political party
|country = Scotland
| country = Scotland
|name = National Party of Scotland
| name = National Party of Scotland
|colorcode = yellow
| colorcode = yellow
|logo =
| logo =
|leader =
| leader =
|chairman =
| chairman =
|foundation = 23 June 1928
| foundation = 23 June 1928
|dissolution = 7 April 1934
| dissolution = 7 April 1934
|ideology = [[Scottish nationalism]]<br/>[[Scottish independence]]
| ideology = [[Scottish nationalism]]<br/>[[Scottish independence]]
|position =
| position = [[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]
|international =
| international =
|european =
| european =
|europarl =
| europarl =
| predecessor = [[Scots National League]] <br> [[Scottish National Movement]]<br> [[Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association]]
|predecessor =
|colours =
| colours =
|headquarters =
| headquarters =
|merged = [[Scottish National Party]]
| merged = [[Scottish National Party]]
}}
}}


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The National Party of Scotland was founded in 1928 by the amalgamation of the [[Scots National League]] (SNL), the [[Scottish National Movement]] (SNM) and the [[Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association]] (GUSNA). The NPS emerged from the consensus among members of these groups, and the [[Scottish Home Rule Association]], that an independent political party, free of any connections to any existing parties, was the best way forward for achieving [[History of Scottish devolution|Scottish Home Rule]].
The National Party of Scotland was founded in 1928 by the amalgamation of the [[Scots National League]] (SNL), the [[Scottish National Movement]] (SNM) and the [[Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association]] (GUSNA). The NPS emerged from the consensus among members of these groups, and the [[Scottish Home Rule Association]], that an independent political party, free of any connections to any existing parties, was the best way forward for achieving [[History of Scottish devolution|Scottish Home Rule]].


The NPS contested the [[United Kingdom general election, 1929|1929]] and [[United Kingdom general election, 1931|1931]] [[United Kingdom general election]]s, and a number of [[by-election]]s. In 1934 the NPS merged with the [[Scottish Party]] to form the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP).
The NPS contested the [[1929 United Kingdom general election|1929]] and [[1931 United Kingdom general election|1931]] [[United Kingdom general election]]s, and a number of [[by-election]]s. In 1934 the NPS merged with the [[Scottish Party]] to form the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP).


==Origins and history==
==Origins and history==
The NPS was formed in 1928 after [[John MacCormick]] of the [[Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association]] called a meeting of all those favouring the establishment of a party favouring Scottish [[Home Rule]]. The meeting was presided over by [[Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham]], who had been a [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]], then [[Scottish Labour Party (1888-1893)|Scottish Labour Party]] politician. The NPS was formed by the amalgamation of GUSNA with the [[Scots National League]], [[Lewis Spence]]'s Scots National Movement and the Scottish Home Rule Movement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fqBAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4084%2C2342298 |title=National Party of Scotland:Birth of a new organisation |work=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |page=9 |date=15 May 1928 |accessdate=1 June 2016}}</ref> On 23 June an inauguration took place in Stirling.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rwI-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=YkkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3212%2C9000941 |title=National Party: New Scottish Political Organisation: Inauguration at Stirling |work=The Glasgow Herald |page=15 |date=25 June 1928 |accessdate=14 December 2016}}</ref>
The NPS was formed in 1928 after [[John MacCormick]] of the [[Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association]] called a meeting of all those favouring the establishment of a party favouring Scottish [[Home Rule]]. The meeting was presided over by [[Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham]], who had been a [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]], then [[Scottish Labour Party (1888-1893)|Scottish Labour Party]] politician. The NPS was formed by the amalgamation of GUSNA with the [[Scots National League]], [[Lewis Spence]]'s Scots National Movement and the Scottish Home Rule Movement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fqBAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4084%2C2342298 |title=National Party of Scotland:Birth of a new organisation |work=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |page=9 |date=15 May 1928 |access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref> On 23 June an inauguration took place in Stirling.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rwI-AAAAIBAJ&sjid=YkkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3212%2C9000941 |title=National Party: New Scottish Political Organisation: Inauguration at Stirling |work=The Glasgow Herald |page=15 |date=25 June 1928 |access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref>


The NPS was a left-of-centre party. The celebrated poet, [[Hugh MacDiarmid]] was a member, but was expelled on account of his Communist beliefs (ironically he would later be expelled from the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]] for his Scottish Nationalist beliefs). Other figures besides MacDiarmid were involved. [[Eric Linklater]] stood as an NPS candidate in the [[East Fife by-election, 1933|1933 East Fife by-election]], and [[Neil Gunn]] played a role in aiding the NPS amalgamation with the Scottish Party.
The NPS was a left-of-centre party. The celebrated poet, [[Hugh MacDiarmid]] was a member, but was expelled on account of his communist views (ironically, he would later be expelled from the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]] for his Scottish Nationalist beliefs). Other figures besides MacDiarmid were involved. [[Eric Linklater]] stood as an NPS candidate in the [[1933 East Fife by-election]], and [[Neil Gunn]] played a role in aiding the NPS amalgamation with the Scottish Party.


==Merger==
==Merger==
In 1932 a home rule organisation, the [[Scottish Party]], was formed by former members of the then [[Unionist Party (Scotland)|Unionist Party]], precursor of the modern [[Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party]]. MacCormick desired unity amongst the Scottish Nationalist movement and made contact with the Scottish Party. Increasingly the two parties began to co-operate, and when the Scottish Party chose to contest the [[Kilmarnock]] by-election in November 1933 the NPS endorsed their candidate. In 1934 the NPS and Scottish Party merged to form the [[Scottish National Party]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eKRAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=j6UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2659%2C4639120 |title=Scottish Nationalists to Unite |work=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |date=1 February 1934 |page=8 |accessdate=25 April 2017}}</ref>
In 1932 a home rule organisation, the [[Scottish Party]], was formed by former members of the then [[Unionist Party (Scotland)|Unionist Party]], precursor of the modern [[Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party]]. MacCormick desired unity amongst the Scottish Nationalist movement and made contact with the Scottish Party. Increasingly the two parties began to co-operate, and when the Scottish Party chose to contest the [[Kilmarnock]] by-election in November 1933 the NPS endorsed their candidate. In 1934 the NPS and Scottish Party merged to form the [[Scottish National Party]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eKRAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=j6UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2659%2C4639120 |title=Scottish Nationalists to Unite |work=[[The Glasgow Herald]] |date=1 February 1934 |page=8 |access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref>


==Leaders of the National Party of Scotland==
==Leaders of the National Party of Scotland==


* [[Roland Muirhead]], (1928-1932?)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=avBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3422%2C7830010| title=National Party’s aims. Implications of self-government. Scotland’s control of her own credit. |work=The Glasgow Herald |page=9 |date=29 February 1932 |accessdate=1 June 2016}}</ref>
* [[Roland Muirhead]], (1928–1932?)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=avBYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YKUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3422%2C7830010| title=National Party's aims. Implications of self-government. Scotland's control of her own credit. |work=The Glasgow Herald |page=9 |date=29 February 1932 |access-date=1 June 2016}}</ref>


==Electoral performance==
==Electoral performance==
[[Lewis Spence]] was the first nationalist to stand for election. He contested [[Midlothian and Peebles Northern (UK Parliament constituency)|Midlothian and Peebles Northern]] at a [[Midlothian and Peebles Northern by-election, 1929|by-election in 1929]] and came fourth, with 4.5% of the vote.<ref name="craig1918-1949">{{cite book
[[Lewis Spence]] was the first nationalist to stand for election. He contested [[Midlothian and Peebles Northern (UK Parliament constituency)|Midlothian and Peebles Northern]] at a [[1929 Midlothian and Peebles Northern by-election|by-election in 1929]] and came fourth, with 4.5% of the vote.<ref name="craig1918-1949">{{cite book
|last=Craig
|last=Craig
|first=F. W. S.
|first=F. W. S.
|authorlink= F. W. S. Craig
|author-link= F. W. S. Craig
|title=British parliamentary election results 1918–1949
|title=British parliamentary election results 1918–1949
|origyear=1969
|orig-year=1969
|edition= 3rd
|edition= 3rd
|year=1983
|year=1983
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! Candidates standing !! Seats won !! Votes !! % Scottish vote !! Saved deposits
! Candidates standing !! Seats won !! Votes !! % Scottish vote !! Saved deposits
|-
|-
| [[United Kingdom general election, 1929|1929 General Election]] || 2 || 0 || 3,313 || 0.5 || 0
| [[1929 United Kingdom general election|1929 General Election]] || 2 || 0 || 3,313 || 0.5 || 0
|-
|-
| [[United Kingdom general election, 1931|1931 General Election]] || 5 || 0 || 20,954 || 1.0 || 3
| [[1931 United Kingdom general election|1931 General Election]] || 5 || 0 || 20,954 || 1.0 || 3
|}
|}


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! By-election !! Candidate !! Votes !! % !! Position
! By-election !! Candidate !! Votes !! % !! Position
|-
|-
|[[Midlothian and Peebles Northern by-election, 1929]] || {{sortname|Lewis|Spence}} || 842 || 4.5 || 4
|[[1929 Midlothian and Peebles Northern by-election]] || {{sortname|Lewis|Spence}} || 842 || 4.5 || 4
|}
|}


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! By-election !! Candidate !! Votes !! % !! Position
! By-election !! Candidate !! Votes !! % !! Position
|-
|-
|[[Glasgow Shettleston by-election, 1930]] || {{sortname|John|McNicol|nolink=1}} || 2,527 || 10.1 || 3
|[[1930 Glasgow Shettleston by-election]] || {{sortname|John|McNicol|nolink=1}} || 2,527 || 10.1 || 3
|-
|-
|[[East Renfrewshire by-election, 1930]] || {{sortname|Oliver|Brown|William Oliver Brown}} || 4,818 || 13.1 || 3
|[[1930 East Renfrewshire by-election]] || {{sortname|Oliver|Brown|William Oliver Brown}} || 4,818 || 13.1 || 3
|-
|-
|[[Glasgow St Rollox by-election, 1931]] || {{sortname|Elma|Campbell}} || 3,521 || 15.8 || 3
|[[1931 Glasgow St Rollox by-election]] || {{sortname|Elma|Campbell}} || 3,521 || 15.8 || 3
|}
|}


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! By-election !! Candidate !! Votes !! % !! Position
! By-election !! Candidate !! Votes !! % !! Position
|-
|-
|[[Dunbartonshire by-election, 1932]] || {{sortname|Robert|Gray|Robert Gray (Scottish politician)}} || 5,178 || 13.4 || 3
|[[1932 Dunbartonshire by-election]] || {{sortname|Robert|Gray|Robert Gray (Scottish politician)}} || 5,178 || 13.4 || 3
|-
|-
|[[Montrose Burghs by-election, 1932]] || {{sortname|Douglas|Emslie|nolink=1}} || 1,966 || 11.7 || 3
|[[1932 Montrose Burghs by-election]] || {{sortname|Douglas|Emslie|nolink=1}} || 1,966 || 11.7 || 3
|-
|-
|[[East Fife by-election, 1933]] || {{sortname|Eric|Linklater}} || 1,083 || 3.6 || 5
|[[1933 East Fife by-election]] || {{sortname|Eric|Linklater}} || 1,083 || 3.6 || 5
|}
|}


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{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*[https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/9fe7f35e-7c4e-325b-b1cd-c70ade1868a8 Collection of material relating to the Scottish National Party] at The [[Archives Hub]]
*[https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/9fe7f35e-7c4e-325b-b1cd-c70ade1868a8 Collection of material relating to the Scottish National Party] at The [[Archives Hub]]

{{Defunct political parties in Scotland}}
{{Scottish National Party}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:National Party Of Scotland}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Party Of Scotland}}
[[Category:Defunct political parties in Scotland]]
[[Category:Defunct political parties in Scotland]]
[[Category:History of Scotland]]
[[Category:Political history of Scotland]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1928]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1928]]
[[Category:Political parties disestablished in 1934]]
[[Category:Political parties disestablished in 1934]]
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[[Category:1928 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:1928 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:1934 disestablishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:1934 disestablishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Scottish nationalist organisations]]
[[Category:Scottish nationalist parties]]

Latest revision as of 15:19, 9 March 2024

National Party of Scotland
Founded23 June 1928
Dissolved7 April 1934
Preceded byScots National League
Scottish National Movement
Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association
Merged intoScottish National Party
IdeologyScottish nationalism
Scottish independence
Political positionCentre-left

The National Party of Scotland (NPS) was a centre-left political party in Scotland which was one of the predecessors of the current Scottish National Party (SNP). The NPS was the first Scottish nationalist political party, and the first which campaigned for Scottish self-determination.

The National Party of Scotland was founded in 1928 by the amalgamation of the Scots National League (SNL), the Scottish National Movement (SNM) and the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association (GUSNA). The NPS emerged from the consensus among members of these groups, and the Scottish Home Rule Association, that an independent political party, free of any connections to any existing parties, was the best way forward for achieving Scottish Home Rule.

The NPS contested the 1929 and 1931 United Kingdom general elections, and a number of by-elections. In 1934 the NPS merged with the Scottish Party to form the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Origins and history[edit]

The NPS was formed in 1928 after John MacCormick of the Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Association called a meeting of all those favouring the establishment of a party favouring Scottish Home Rule. The meeting was presided over by Robert Bontine Cunninghame Graham, who had been a Liberal Party, then Scottish Labour Party politician. The NPS was formed by the amalgamation of GUSNA with the Scots National League, Lewis Spence's Scots National Movement and the Scottish Home Rule Movement.[1] On 23 June an inauguration took place in Stirling.[2]

The NPS was a left-of-centre party. The celebrated poet, Hugh MacDiarmid was a member, but was expelled on account of his communist views (ironically, he would later be expelled from the Communist Party of Great Britain for his Scottish Nationalist beliefs). Other figures besides MacDiarmid were involved. Eric Linklater stood as an NPS candidate in the 1933 East Fife by-election, and Neil Gunn played a role in aiding the NPS amalgamation with the Scottish Party.

Merger[edit]

In 1932 a home rule organisation, the Scottish Party, was formed by former members of the then Unionist Party, precursor of the modern Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. MacCormick desired unity amongst the Scottish Nationalist movement and made contact with the Scottish Party. Increasingly the two parties began to co-operate, and when the Scottish Party chose to contest the Kilmarnock by-election in November 1933 the NPS endorsed their candidate. In 1934 the NPS and Scottish Party merged to form the Scottish National Party.[3]

Leaders of the National Party of Scotland[edit]

Electoral performance[edit]

Lewis Spence was the first nationalist to stand for election. He contested Midlothian and Peebles Northern at a by-election in 1929 and came fourth, with 4.5% of the vote.[5]

Westminster Elections Candidates standing Seats won Votes % Scottish vote Saved deposits
1929 General Election 2 0 3,313 0.5 0
1931 General Election 5 0 20,954 1.0 3

The NPS contested many elections in its short existence but never managed to get any of its candidates elected to parliament.

By-elections, 1929[edit]

By-election Candidate Votes % Position
1929 Midlothian and Peebles Northern by-election Lewis Spence 842 4.5 4

1929 general election[edit]

Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
Glasgow Camlachie John MacCormick 1,646 4.9 3
West Renfrewshire Roland Muirhead 1,667 5.4 4

By-elections, 1929-1931[edit]

By-election Candidate Votes % Position
1930 Glasgow Shettleston by-election John McNicol 2,527 10.1 3
1930 East Renfrewshire by-election Oliver Brown 4,818 13.1 3
1931 Glasgow St Rollox by-election Elma Campbell 3,521 15.8 3

1931 general election[edit]

Constituency Candidate Votes % Position
East Renfrewshire Oliver Brown 6,498 13.9 3
Edinburgh East T. T. Alexander 2,872 9.4 3
Glasgow St Rollox Elma Campbell 3,521 13.3 3
Inverness John MacCormick 4,016 14.0 3
West Renfrewshire Roland Muirhead 3,547 11.0 3

By-elections, 1931-1933[edit]

By-election Candidate Votes % Position
1932 Dunbartonshire by-election Robert Gray 5,178 13.4 3
1932 Montrose Burghs by-election Douglas Emslie 1,966 11.7 3
1933 East Fife by-election Eric Linklater 1,083 3.6 5

Further reading[edit]

  • Brand, Jack, The National Movement in Scotland, Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1978
  • Brand, Jack, ‘Scotland’, in Watson, Michael (ed.), Contemporary Minority Nationalism, Routledge, 1990
  • Richard J. Finlay, Independent and Free: Scottish Politics and the Origins of the Scottish National Party 1918-1945, John Donald Publishers, 1994
  • Hanham, H.J., Scottish Nationalism, Harvard University Press, 1969
  • Christopher Harvie, Scotland and Nationalism: Scottish Society and Politics 1707 to the Present, Routledge (4th edition), 2004
  • Gerry Hassan (ed.), The Modern SNP: From Protest to Power, Edinburgh University Press, 2009, ISBN 0748639918
  • Lloyd-Jones, N., "Liberalism, Scottish Nationalism and the Home Rule crisis, c.1886-1893", "English Historical Review" (August 2014)
  • Lynch, Peter, SNP: The History of the Scottish National Party, Welsh Academic Press, 2002
  • John MacCormick, The Flag in the Wind: The Story of the National Movement in Scotland, Victor Gollancz Ltd, 1955
  • Mitchell, James, The Scottish Question, Oxford University Press, 2014

References[edit]

  1. ^ "National Party of Scotland:Birth of a new organisation". The Glasgow Herald. 15 May 1928. p. 9. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. ^ "National Party: New Scottish Political Organisation: Inauguration at Stirling". The Glasgow Herald. 25 June 1928. p. 15. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Scottish Nationalists to Unite". The Glasgow Herald. 1 February 1934. p. 8. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  4. ^ "National Party's aims. Implications of self-government. Scotland's control of her own credit". The Glasgow Herald. 29 February 1932. p. 9. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  5. ^ Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 638. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
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