Gordon Wilson

Who is Gordon Wilson?

Gordon Wilson is a former leader of the Scottish National Party. He followed William Wolfe as SNP leader, and was himself succeeded by Alex Salmond in 1990.

Wilson was also a Member of Parliament for the Dundee East constituency for several years. He was narrowly defeated in a 1973 by-election, and won it at the February 1974 general election. He was one of only two SNP MPs during after the 1979, but lost the seat in 1987 to John McAllion of the Labour Party.

In his book, SNP: The Turbulent Years 1960-1990, he acknowledges that there were tensions between the SNP MPs in Westminster and SNP officers in Scotland, particularly Margo MacDonald.

Wilson's leadership was characterised by mixed fortunes. He was leader in the early 1980s when the party was in internal turmoil, and he was a key mover in condemning both Siol nan Gaidheal and the 79 Group. He also led the party through two poor general election performances in 1983 and 1987. However, a highlight of his leadership was the Govan by-election victory in 1988.

Wilson attempted to involve the SNP in the Scottish Constitutional Convention but due to the convention's unwillingness to contemplate discussions about Scottish independence as a constitutional option the SNP did not get involved.