- This article is about Gordon Wilson the Scottish politician. For others of the same name see: Gordon Wilson.
Gordon Wilson 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 unexpectantly 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 an old style fundie rather than the new breed which tends to be firmly on the left of the party, with Wilson being more moderate in opinion.
He has publicly stated that he believes it may be that the SNP fractures between the fundamentalist and gradualist wings in the future.
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