Whipping Yarns: An SNP whip's tale - A conversation with former MP Patrick Grady

News

Whipping Yarns: An SNP whip's tale - A conversation with former MP Patrick Grady - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 64

3 Jan 2025

In this episode we explore the experiences of the SNP during its transformative rise at Westminster from 2015, as seen through the eyes of Patrick Grady MP who served as the party’s Chief Whip between 2017 and 2021. Patrick shares insights on the challenges, tactics, and controversies faced by the SNP as they sought to amplify Scotland’s voice in Parliament while navigating the complexities of being a third-party force with a mission for independence.

LISTEN

From six to 56: A political earthquake: Patrick recounts the seismic shift in 2015, when the SNP surged from six MPs to 56, reshaping Scotland’s presence at Westminster. He describes the cultural adjustments required as the party transitioned to its expanded role and new responsibilities as the third party and sought to master Westminster’s traditions and procedures while asserting their identity in a political system designed for two-party dominance. Along the way, creative tactics like the "breakfast wars" and spontaneous acts of defiance helped carve out their space.

Blending experience with fresh energy: The SNP’s parliamentary team was a mix of seasoned hands and new talent, bringing diverse professional backgrounds to the table. Patrick reflects on the complexities of maintaining party discipline in such a dynamic environment while managing the inevitable evolution of internal dynamics over time.

Theatrics with a purpose: From walking out of Prime Minister’s Questions in protest to whistling Ode to Joy during Brexit votes, Patrick sheds light on the purpose behind the SNP’s theatrical moments. These acts were not mere stunts but initiatives that helped draw attention to critical issues for Scotland, such as the contentious Internal Market Act and the English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) procedures.

The human side of whipping: Beyond the public stage, Patrick shares insights into the pastoral care aspect of a Chief Whip’s responsibilities. Supporting MPs with diverse personal and professional needs - especially those with young families - required empathy and flexibility, even as legislative demands loomed large.

Reflections on a remarkable journey: Having stepped down from Westminster, Patrick reflects on the impermanence of being an MP, his pride in representing Glasgow North, and the unpredictable challenges that shaped his tenure, from Brexit to the pandemic. His practical advice to his successors? Don’t forget a water filter jug to tackle London’s hard water — a small but vital tip for life in the capital.

← Back to Parliament Matters homepage

Listen on our YouTube channel (captioned)

Our guest

Patrick Grady

Patrick Grady was a Scottish National Party Member of Parliament from 2015 until 2024, representing the constituency of Glasgow North. He served in a number of roles on the SNP frontbench, including as its International Development spokesperson (2015-17) and as the SNP Chief Whip (2017-21). During his time in the House of Commons, Patrick was a member of several select committees, including the Procedure Committee (2015-17, 2022-24), the Committee of Selection (2017-19), the Administration Committee (2017-18), and Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments (2017-19).

Transcript

Please note, this transcript is automatically generated. There may consequently be minor errors and the text is not formatted according to our style guide. If you wish to reference or cite the transcript copy below, please first check against the audio version above.

[00:00:00] Intro: You are listening to Parliament Matters, a Hansard Society production, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. Learn more at hansardsociety.org.uk/PM.

[00:00:17] Ruth Fox: Welcome to Parliament Matters Whipping Yarns, our series peering into the hidden world of Westminster's whips. I'm Ruth Fox.

[00:00:24] Mark D'Arcy: And I'm Mark D'Arcy. In 2015, the Scottish National Party went from being a bitplayer minority party in the Commons to a formidable third force with around 50 MPs throughout the subsequent Brexit parliaments.

[00:00:37] Ruth Fox: But the twist is they didn't really want to be there. Their aim was Scottish independence which would have meant no SNP MPs at all.

[00:00:44] Mark D'Arcy: So, for much of that time, their Chief Whip was Patrick Grady, and we asked him what it was like to arrive in that 2015 Parliament with a big contingent of MPs and a kind of sense of manifest destiny that independence was within their grasp.

[00:00:58] Patrick Grady: It was an election of quite considerable surprises, I think. People hadn't expected that the Conservatives would return with a majority, and we hadn't expected such an overwhelming win. We felt post 2014 that the SNP was poised to do possibly as well as it had ever done at Westminster, but the scale of the result was, was quite a surprise.

[00:01:21] So there was a lot to take in for the whole group. First of all, just to get to know each other, and then to get to know the ways and means, uh, to coin a phrase, of Westminster. And we were quite determined. We'd been elected on a manifesto to work very constructively, but to speak up for Scotland, make Scotland's voice heard.

[00:01:39] So we were prepared to shake things up and not simply do as we were told. And some of that manifested itself very early on, in terms of applause in the chamber, for example, and the breakfast wars, as they were called, when we tried to establish our seating entitlement.

[00:01:57] Mark D'Arcy: Oh yes, with Dennis Skinner, you had a bit of a sort of border skirmish between yourself and the Labour Party over Dennis Skinner's particular customary seat on the front bench.

Use the links below to subscribe to the Hansard Society's Parliament Matters podcast on your preferred app, or search for 'Parliament Matters' on whichever podcasting service you use. If you are unable to find our podcast, please email us here.

Apple

YouTube Podcasts

Spotify

More ways to subscribe

Parliament Matters homepage

Latest / Highlights

News / Former Prime Ministers: The role of Parliament in life after No 10 - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 109

In this episode, we speak with Peter Just, author of a new book, Margaret Thatcher: Life After Downing Street. Peter explores how Thatcher reinvented herself after her departure to maintain her status as an international figure, and how she remained a parliamentary thorn in John Major’s side. We also compare her parliamentary afterlife with that of other Prime Ministers, and consider the value that former leaders can bring to the institution of Parliament. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

News / What are the Usual Channels? A short history of Westminster whipping - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 108

In this episode, we talk to political journalist Seb Whale about his new book, The Usual Channels, which reveals the hidden world of Westminster’s whips. Seb charts how party discipline has evolved – from the stormy politics of the 1970s and the Maastricht battles of the 1990s to the legendary “black book,” the Brexit showdowns and the short-lived Liz Truss premiership. He explains how the whips’ office has adapted to a modern Parliament – especially with the influx of women MPs – and why, even today, whips still wield decisive influence over MPs’ careers and remain indispensable despite the pressures of contemporary politics. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

Blog / Treaty scrutiny: addressing the accountability gap

In this guest blog, Lord Goldsmith KC, Chair of the House of Lords International Agreements Committee (IAC), sets out the findings of the Committee’s latest report urging reform of Parliament's outdated system for scrutinising treaties. The report warns that Westminster lags behind other legislatures in overseeing these vital policy instruments. Rejecting successive governments' defence of the status quo, it argues that government objections to reform are unconvincing and meaningful accountability is overdue.

News / Assisted dying bill - special series #17: Peers give the Bill a Second Reading, but progress is paused for committee evidence - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 107

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has cleared another key hurdle: it was given a Second Reading in the House of Lords without a formal vote. But Peers have agreed to set up a special select committee to hear evidence from Ministers, professional bodies and legal experts before the Bill goes any further. That decision pushes the detailed clause-by-clause scrutiny back to mid-November and could shape the Bill’s prospects in unexpected ways. In this episode we explore the procedural twists and political manoeuvring behind that decision. Please help us by completing our Listener Survey. It will only take a few minutes.

Briefings / The assisted dying bill: A guide to the legislative process in the House of Lords

Having passed through the House of Commons, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - the Bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales - must now go through its legislative stages in the House of Lords. This guide explains the special procedures for legislation in the House of Lords, and for Private Members’ Bills in particular. It answers some frequently asked questions, including how Peers might block the Bill, and gives an explanation of each stage of the process, from Second to Third Reading.