Campbell Martin

Who is Campbell Martin?

Campbell Martin is a Scottish journalist and politician. A member of the Scottish National Party he was elected to the Scottish Parliament to represent the West of Scotland at the 2003 election, after having worked previously for Kay Ullrich, a former SNP MSP.

He was a prominent backer of Dr Bill Wilson who stood against John Swinney for the SNP leadership in 2003. He has been critical of the direction of the SNP since becoming an MSP, believing they are being dragged into the political centre away from their traditional left-of-centre position. He also believes the party is not vociferous enough in its advocation of Scottish independence.

He was suspended from the Scottish National Party on 25 April 2004 after publicly criticising John Swinney, and was expelled from the SNP on 10 July 2004, soon after Swinney had resigned.

After becoming an Independent MSP, Campbell Martin played a prominent role in fighting a number of decisions taken by Labour-led North Ayrshire Council. He has also continued his opposition to what he considers to be the centre-right re-positioning of the SNP and its advocacy of a 'culture of independence' rather than national independence.