Reviewing the relationship between branch and elected representatives

Edinburgh Branch’s Holyrood 2021 campaign was an unprecedented success. However, the campaign team and co-convenors had to contend with two lead candidates leaving the party unexpectedly - Andy Wightman six months before the election, and Alison Johnstone after the election to take up the post of Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.

These events caused considerable extra work and stress for volunteers and raise questions around the relationship of the branch to its elected reps. For example: Is there enough accountability between elected reps and the branch? Should the branch have a role in disputes between the party and elected reps?

As the party grows in influence and we elect more MSPs and councillors, it's more likely that there will be tensions, so it's important that structures are in place that support both branch volunteers and elected reps.