Lloyd Melville, a current councillor for Angus and a prospective Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), is facing serious allegations that highlight the troubling culture within the SNP. Reports have surfaced about his inappropriate conduct toward female members of the Stirling University Scottish Nationalist Association (SUSNA) during his tenure as president in 2019, raising red flags about both his character and the party's commitment to equality.
As Melville is positioning himself to replace current Angus South MSP Graeme Dey, who is inexplicably stepping down amidst a flurry of political turbulence within the SNP, these complaints reveal a deeper issue plaguing the party. The Sunday Mail has reported that multiple former SUSNA members are disheartened by Melville’s dismissive and derogatory remarks towards women. Referring to absent female attendees as "lazy cows" is just one example of the toxic attitude that underscores the SNP’s failure to foster a respectful environment for women in politics. Such comments expose a troubling perspective that suggests some men still view women in political spaces as mere numbers rather than valued contributors.
A former member’s recollection of Melville joking about “meeting the ‘gender quota’” speaks volumes about his priorities and the SNP’s lack of meaningful engagement with gender equality issues. It is an affront to both women and the principle of equality for an elected official to trivialise their status within political discourse. The fact that he required direct intervention from women to address his inappropriate behaviour only underscores how deeply entrenched these attitudes can be.
Despite the gravity of the complaints, Melville was offered equalities training, a weak response to an apparent pattern of behaviour that suggests not merely a lapse in judgment but a serious lack of respect for women. His assertion that he is a staunch advocate for gender equality exposes a stark disconnect with his actual conduct. In an era that demands accountability and a zero-tolerance stance towards such behaviour, the SNP’s light-handed approach to these allegations is indicative of a party struggling to address its own internal issues, particularly at a time when they are losing seasoned representatives like Humza Yousaf and Shona Robison.
While a source close to Melville has attempted to dismiss the allegations as "vexatious" and "politically motivated," the broader questions that arise are about the standards of conduct expected in political organisations. As the UK navigates the complexities of a new Labour government under Kier Starker, there is a pressing need for all political entities, including the SNP, to ensure their members adhere to the highest standards, including how they treat women. If they fail to do so, parties that advocate for more substantial change will take the lead, highlighting the importance of respectful representation in politics.
Source: Noah Wire Services