Campaign for Nationalism in Scotland
The
Campaign for Nationalism in Scotland was an internal grouping within the
Scottish National Party (SNP) that formed in response to the efforts of the
79 Group within the party. The 79 Group was another internal grouping within the SNP that was attempting to turn the party into an expressly
socialist party. The Campaign for Nationalism in Scotland formed itself to try and ensure that the SNP avoided traditional debates of left and right, arguing that the cause of
Scottish independence transcended such arguments. It had the support of prominent traditionalists inside the party such as
Winnie Ewing who had been a
Member of Parliament in the
1960s and was by this stage a Member of the
European Parliament.
SNP leader Gordon Wilson was determined to end factionalism inside the SNP, and at the party conference of 1982 internal groupings were banned. This was largely a reaction to the growth of the 79 Group who faded in significance after this decision was taken. After the 79 Group fell apart the Campaign for Nationalism in Scotland did likewise.