William Wolfe
William Cuthbertson "Billy" Wolfe (22 February 1924, Bathgate, West Lothian – 18 March 2010, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire) was the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) from 1969 to 1979. He helped transform the hitherto marginalised party into a political force,[1] and the party's success advanced its claims to be a mainstream party and brought about negotiations that eventually led to the devolution of Scotland and the founding of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.[2][3]
He was educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh, and later qualified as a Chartered Accountant. After serving in the Scottish Horse regiment of the British Army in the Second World War he became active in various organisations designed to highlight the distinctiveness of Scotland and Scottish culture in particular. He began to believe though that only through direct political action would Scotland be advanced and became convinced of the need for Scottish independence. In 1959 he joined the SNP.[2]
He stood as the SNP candidate in the 1962 West Lothian by-election against Tam Dalyell, managing to come second,[2] which came as a surprise because the SNP had previously made little impact in the area. He became aware of the need for greater professionalism in the organisation of the SNP and diverted his attentions to this matter thereafter.
In 1969 he replaced Arthur Donaldson as SNP National Convenor,[2] and it was during Wolfe's period as leader that the party had its greatest electoral success to the Westminster parliament, winning 30% of the vote in Scotland and 11 of the 71 Scottish seats in the October 1974 General Election, though Wolfe failed to win a seat of his own.[2] It is also Wolfe that is credited with doing much to develop the SNP as a clearly defined left-of-centre political party.[4]
In 1979 he stood down as SNP leader after the party's disastrous performance in that year's General Election. He was succeeded by Gordon Wilson.
Wolfe was party president from 1980 to 1982, and remained active as an ordinary member of the SNP as well as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Wolfe wrote poetry in the Scots language, as well as the book Scotland Lives: the Quest for Independence, which was published in 1971.[4]
Wolfe died at Udston Hospital, Hamilton in March 2010.[2][5] Alex Salmond and Iain Gray were amongst the political leaders who offered their condolences.[2] Salmond stated that Wolfe had "transformed it [the SNP] into a modern political party".[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "Billy Wolfe: Politician who played a crucial role in the transformation of the Scottish National Party - Obituaries, News". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/billy-wolfe-politician-who-played-a-crucial-role-in-the-transformation-of-the-scottish-national-party-1924380.html. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Veteran nationalist Billy Wolfe dies at the age of 86". BBC News. 19 March 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8576326.stm. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
- ^ Murray Ritchie. "Billy Wolfe obituary | Politics". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/mar/21/billy-wolfe-obituary. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ^ a b "Obituary: Billy Wolfe". Caledonian Mercury. 19 March 2010. http://politics.caledonianmercury.com/2010/03/19/obituary-billy-wolfe/. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "William Wolfe; Politician and accountant - Herald Scotland | Comment | Obituaries". Herald Scotland. 2010-03-20. http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/obituaries/william-wolfe-politician-and-accountant-1.1014705. Retrieved 2010-11-04.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ? |
Senior Vice Chairman (Deputy Leader) of the Scottish National Party 1966–1969 |
Succeeded by George Leslie |
| Preceded by Arthur Donaldson |
National Chairman (Leader) of the Scottish National Party 1969–1979 |
Succeeded by Gordon Wilson |
| Preceded by Robert McIntyre |
President of the Scottish National Party 1980–1982 |
Succeeded by Donald Stewart |
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