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The SNP’s ludicrous by-election bill

(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Another day, another financial catastrophe for the SNP. This time it concerns the recent Rutherglen by-election, which saw the nationalists lose the Westminster seat to Labour in a humiliating defeat. But the by-election wasn’t the only embarrassing loss facing the Nats: their party bank balance took a hit too. It transpires that the SNP spent many thousands of pounds more on their campaign than their competitors. Talk about adding insult to injury…

First Minister Humza Yousaf’s party spent £96,000 on their failed by-election campaign, which amounted to a staggering £14,000 more than Scottish Labour. ‘What were they spending their money on?’ laughed one Labour canvasser. ‘They were nowhere to be seen!’

The Daily Record revealed that just under half of the gargantuan sum was spent on advertising — including posters that wasted more ink slamming Westminster than focusing on the party’s own positives. (Are the Nats finally becoming self aware?)

£30,000 was spent on unsolicited materials to voters, £17,000 on an ‘election address’ and £10,000 on a ‘voter survey’.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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