Winnie Ewing’s memorial service showed the divide between Old and New SNP, with Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf looking isolated – Kenny MacAskill

As eulogies from Alex Salmond and Alex Neil detailed her energy in catapulting the SNP from a fringe group to a serious political party with her victory in Hamilton in 1967, helping keep the flame burning after the rout of 1979 and encapsulating the scene in 1999 with the words that “the Scottish Parliament adjourned on 25th day of March, in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened".

Primarily though the service was a gathering of Old SNP to pay their respects to a titan of their movement, coming from around the country, not just the Highlands and Islands. But the divide between Old and New SNP was evident. Many there were either no longer members or suspended in one instance and, for those still in the party, increasingly marginalised and disgruntled.

The First Minister and Nicola Sturgeon appeared rather detached, if not isolated. Some of that’s an age thing, but it was also political. The Old SNP embodied by Winnie Ewing was a broad church even when the party adopted a formal position as a moderate left-of-centre party. It had always been radical but eschewed a formal position. Latitude was given, tolerance displayed, and free spirits were welcomed. That allowed for those like myself and Alex Salmond who had been in the once-proscribed, left-wing 79 Group to form common cause with Winnie and others.

What mattered was the commitment to Independence, that was what united all, irrespective of views on other issues. But New SNP is now dangerously displaying dogma and diktat on identity and other issues yet losing its focus on independence, dividing the party and movement.

On independence, Angus MacNeil MP speaks for many still in the party when he says not just that opportunities have been wasted but there’s neither direction nor strategy. There’s no Plan B and Nicola’s not there any more to have a cunning plan. More and more, it’s simply a mantra. Nobody ever doubted either Winnie’s sincerity on or commitment to independence; that some senior figures are questioned on theirs speaks volumes.

Compounding that, the friendships made and respect for the party earned by Winnie are being undermined. The fishing sector that revered her and voted for her by the boat-load looks askance at discussions on HPMAs. The aid for the Highlands and Islands that she prised from Europe is now undermined by Scottish Government vacillation on the A9 and A96. Whilst she was regarded with warmth, there are SNP ministers now who are openly held in contempt by party members, not just the public. Whilst Winnie sought to embrace all to the cause, the New SNP has been arrogant and exclusionary.

The SNP leadership is now circling the wagons, becoming strident and authoritarian. But being left of Labour isn’t enough to save them. It’s not hard given Starmer’s craven acceptance of Tory dogma, more importantly it’s not enough to motivate the faithful. They want some old-time religion and some passion and belief. Having attended the service, Humza Yousaf would do well to learn from Winnie Ewing, not persist with Continuity Sturgeonism.

Kenny MacAskill is Alba Party MP for East Lothian