SNP government feared looking ‘out of ideas’ in 2009, papers reveal

SNP ministers were warned against looking like they were “running out of ideas” in an internal briefing in 2009, declassified cabinet papers show.

Documents released for the first time show the first SNP government, led by Alex Salmond, had to “trawl” for suggestions in spring 2009.

Only four proposals had been brought forward for its next programme for government. Of those four, one was the budget bill.

Gaps were noted in economy, energy and tourism; transport infrastructure and climate change; education, lifelong learning and culture; and rural affairs and the environment.

Key figures feared it could hand the next election to a rival party and efforts to develop potential bills stepped up.

Bruce Crawford, then the parliamentary business manager, said “options arising from members’ bills and opposition manifestos” would be considered. Cabinet secretaries were told Crawford would speak with them to “identify and develop legislative proposals”.

He told ministers: “The gap could lead to handling and presentational difficulties as we move into the last year of the session. In particular, the government could be presented as ‘running out of ideas’ and risks handing momentum to the opposition in the run up to the Scottish parliamentary elections in 2011.”

The SNP first took office in 2007, serving as a minority administration. It improved its standing in 2011, winning 69 seats.

The result followed the development of a 10-bill programme for government for 2010-11 which included the Double Jeopardy Bill allowing people to be tried twice for the same offence, the Forced Marriage Protection Bill providing civil remedies to victims and the Private Rented Housing Bill aimed at tackling “unscrupulous rogue landlords”.

In his foreword, Salmond said they would “deliver real and positive change for the people of Scotland”.

The papers are released today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS).

Cabinet records are published annually as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to proactively release records after 15 years. The latest releases cover the pre-indyref period, in which ministers undertook “national conversation” events and discussed their approach to the 2014 ballot.

Parliamentary business manager Jamie Hepburn said: “The cabinet records offer the public a valuable insight into the Scottish Government’s decision-making process at the time.

“They are an important part of Scotland’s historical record and will be of great interest to researchers, historians and the public - both now and in the years to come.”

NRS chief executive Alison Byrne commented: “The cabinet records provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about Scotland’s very recent past.

“The cabinet discussed a range of important topics in 2009 including plans for a Referendum Bill, schools and early years education, university tuition fees, climate change delivery plans and planning for a new crossing over the River Forth.

“These records are published as part of our commitment to making more of our collections accessible online via our research website ScotlandsPeople.”