ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to understand the consequences of the membership surge for the parties internally, examining how the SNP and Scottish Greens accommodated an exceptionally large intake of new members who joined following a movement-based campaign. In the short-term, the surge created practical organisational challenges, but the parties benefited financially and in having access to a larger pool of active members. Over time, power shifted towards the party leaderships instead of creating more participatory party structures. The process had begun pre-surge, part of a trend towards party professionalisation, but the surge and governmental status of the parties further enhanced the power of the leaderships. This is most evident in the SNP but has also taken place in the Scottish Greens. While party members have some power to shape their parties, few embrace these opportunities. Whether active or passive, the parties’ memberships have supported, not challenged, the party elites.
