Incompetent Cashley embarrasses SNP again

SNP embroiled in row over rigging of candidates

By Paul Hutcheon, Scottish Political Editor

A front-bench Nationalist MSP is at the centre of allegations that a key ally is trying to rig her re-election to Holyrood. SNP education spokeswoman Fiona Hyslop was told by an aide that her chances of returning to the Scottish parliament would be helped by a “knock-up” of activists.
But this practice, which involves encouraging supporters to vote, is against SNP rules which forbid candidates from contacting party members during selection contests.
The row was caused when Calum Cashley, an Edinburgh SNP activist who works for Hyslop, posted an e-mail to his boss in November last year. Sent to “Fiona/Kenny”, the correspondence offered a “wee update” on how “things stand currently re the Lothians list”.
Hyslop is a two-term MSP who is not guaranteed a favourable re-selection by the SNP on their list this year.
In the e-mail, Cashley offered an assessment of the size of the Lothians electorate, as well as giving his view on the prospect of his boss getting a high list ranking.
But he added: “There are a couple of ways to ameliorate the situation come June: do a knock-up (of course, you’re not allowed to canvass in this election, but it should be possible to arrange things); and act as a team of candidates, as is happening …”
A “knock-up” is when candidates or others contact activists in advance of an election and encourage them to vote. SNP rules outlaw such a tactic by severely restricting the campaigning behaviour of candidates.
“They may not systematically contact such members outside their own constituency by means of e-mail, telephone or post, or otherwise act in a way that suggests membership lists have been acquired or are being used to canvass members throughout the region,” the rules state.
Cashley proceeded to carve up the SNP candidates into three serious categories, the first of which contained Hyslop and Kenny MacAskill, another Nationalist MSP.
The second banding, which he dubbed the “sensible team”, included himself and Davie Hutchison, an aide to MacAskill.
Relegated to the third category, under the banner of “then we have”, were SNP National secretary Alasdair Allan, GP Ian McKee and the highly-regarded Angela Constance, who stood for the Nationalists in the recent Livingston by-election.
Another part of the e-mail, which was sent to Hyslop’s personal account, dealt with the threat Constance poses to Hyslop’s re-election hopes.
“I’m sending this to private e-mail address because I have a few concerns about what Isabel [Hutton, Hyslop’s other aide] is planning on the list, she tells me that the ‘West Lothian opinion’ is that Angela should get first preference votes … This was obviously told to me in confidence.”
He parted with the line: “More information when I get it.”
This is the second time Cashley has tried to influence the SNP Lothians list. In 2003, he was reported to have sent e-mails to activists in an attempt to undermine the sitting MSP, Margo MacDonald, who was effectively deselected.
He also intervened in the recent Argyll and Bute selection contest, urging local activists to vote for Jim Mather MSP instead of rival Michael Russell.
The Sunday Herald also understands a complaint has been sent to SNP headquarters about the parliamentary worker’s activities.
Cashley yesterday tried to explain his e-mail and his special categories of candidates: “I was just passing on information, and I was told by Fiona that she wasn’t interested. It was a bit cheeky. I suppose that gets me into trouble.”
Asked what he meant when he said he could “arrange things” on the Lothians list, he said: “F*** knows.” On whether he had broken the confidence of his fellow aide, Cashley said: “It seems that way, doesn’t it? Man does job and tries to protect boss.”
Hyslop put distance between herself and her aide’s e-mail.
“I didn’t ask for it, don’t agree with the content and I told him to stop interfering. I was angry that he sent this in the first place,” she said.
On Cashley’s plan for a “knock-up” of local activists, she said: “He can’t do that. He’s not allowed to break party rules.”
12 March 2006