Gordon Wilson (Scottish politician)

For other people named Gordon Wilson, see Gordon Wilson (disambiguation).

(Robert) Gordon Wilson (born 16 April 1938) is a former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). He followed Billy 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 from 1974 to 1987, when he lost to John McAllion of the Labour Party.

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 proscribing 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.

Wilson can be characterised as a SNP Fundamentalist, although more of the old style rather than the new breed who tend to be firmly on the left of the party, with Wilson being more moderate in opinion. Recently Wilson has been seen as an embarrassment to elected members of the SNP for repeatedly airing his controversial views against same-sex marriage.^{[citation needed]}

Before his successes in electoral politics, Wilson was "Controller General" for a time of the political pirate station Radio Free Scotland.

Some of Gordon Wilson's papers are now held by Archive Services at the University of Dundee.

Book

• SNP: The Turbulent Years 1960-1990 (2009)

References

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by George Machin	Member of Parliament for Dundee East Feb 1974–1987	Succeeded by John McAllion
Political offices
Preceded by William Wolfe	National Convener (Leader) of the Scottish National Party 1979–1990	Succeeded by Alex Salmond
Preceded by Douglas Henderson	Senior Vice Chairman (Deputy Leader) of the Scottish National Party 1973–1974	Succeeded by Margo Macdonald
Academic offices
Preceded by Baron Mackie of Benshie	Rector of the University of Dundee 1983–1986	Succeeded by Malcolm Bruce