SNP likened to cult by former MP who joined the Tories
Dr Lisa Cameron described the culture of the Westminster group as "toxic"
Last updated 14th Oct 2023
A former SNP MP who joined the Tories has described her former party as “cult-like”.
Lisa Cameron pointed to a “toxic” culture within the SNP at Westminster as one of the reasons she was defecting.
Dr Cameron said in an interview with the Scottish Daily Mail that she regretted not leaving sooner than Thursday, and said her relationship with colleagues in the party had resulted in a year of counselling and the need for antidepressants.
Following her decision, she also claimed she had to leave her home due to threats.
"Toxic" culture at Westminster
Her move was welcomed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, although the new Tory MP said it was not a decision she has “taken lightly”.
Dr Cameron told the paper: “It is almost like, with the SNP, you sort of get indoctrinated a bit, I feel in an unhealthy way, and your identity gets merged with the doctrine.
“It's like, 'Here's what you think about things'.
"There's not so much, from my experience, individual choice and decision-making or contribution.
“It almost becomes like a learned helplessness in a way, and it took a long time for me to rebuild my confidence to even speak about things.”
"You sort of get indoctrinated"
One of her former SNP colleagues, Glasgow South MP Stewart McDonald, told the Scotsman's podcast The Steamie Dr Cameron had been on "defection-watch" since before the pandemic.
The MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow continued when speaking to the paper: “It does feel quite cult-like in the sense that, in order to have continued approval you have to think and act and speak and behave in a way that is expected constantly, and never to criticise."
The SNP is set to meet tomorrow for Humza Yousaf’s first conference as leader, but Lisa Cameron has claimed there is a “cult of personality” within the party that has left people feeling “unable to question” the leadership, and being forced to leave.
Dr Cameron said she was ostracised by the Westminster group after speaking up for a young staffer harassed by MP Patrick Grady, when leadership had asked for support for him.
"Odd tantrum"
Mr Grady has since failed SNP vetting to fun for his Glasgow North seat at the next election.
However, SNP president Mike Russell described the defection as an “odd tantrum” by someone who was “going to lose their nomination”.
Mr Yousaf, speaking to the PA news agency on Thursday, said it was the "least surprising news" he had heard since becoming First Minister and he questioned Dr Cameron's commitment to Scottish independence.
Asked about his comments, the MP said while she believes in Scottish independence, she no longer trusts the SNP to run a Scottish Government outside the UK.
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