Explaining the Scottish National Party’s Strength as an Outgroup at Westminster: Public and Legislator Links

In the 2015 general election the Scottish National Party (SNP) had a landslide electoral victory in scotland, receiving over 50% of the vote and becoming the third largest political party in the British House of Commons. This Paper explores public and legislator perceptions of the party in comparison to the two main political parties. Drawing on Social Identity Theory we explore the presence of ingroup/outgroup distinctions in the legislature and within the wider party system as a means of explaining the strong link beween Scottish voters and the party. We find that the SNP’s identity as an outgroup is exacerbated in the Commons and manifests itself through the content of speeches and non-verbal activity in the chamber. The communication of this activity through the party’s sophisticated social media activity is a strong factor in increasing public support for the party. Outgroup identity is something which the public overwhelmingly relate to and is thus an electoral strength.