Bruce Watson (politician)
Encyclopedia
Bruce Watson; was a Scottish nationalist politician
.
By profession a Professor of organic chemistry
, Watson became active in the Scottish National Party
(SNP). In 1945, the SNP Chairman Douglas Young
resigned after the party banned members from also holding membership of British political parties. Watson held that attempting to win self-government through British parties was a waste of time, and took up the vacant party chairmanship without facing a challenge.
In 1946, Watson chaired a large conference in Perth
which demanded self-government for Scotland. In 1947, he stood down from the Chairmanship of the SNP in order that he could be succeeded by Robert McIntyre
, a former Member of Parliament
and the best-known figure in the party.
Based in Aberdeen
, Watson remained active in the SNP into the 1960s.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
By profession a Professor of organic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
, Watson became active in the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
(SNP). In 1945, the SNP Chairman Douglas Young
Douglas Young (classicist)
Professor Douglas Young ; June 5, 1913 – October 23, 1973) was a Scottish poet, scholar, and translator. He was the leader of the Scottish National Party from 1942 to 1945.Young was born in Tayport, Fife...
resigned after the party banned members from also holding membership of British political parties. Watson held that attempting to win self-government through British parties was a waste of time, and took up the vacant party chairmanship without facing a challenge.
In 1946, Watson chaired a large conference in Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
which demanded self-government for Scotland. In 1947, he stood down from the Chairmanship of the SNP in order that he could be succeeded by Robert McIntyre
Robert McIntyre
Dr Robert Douglas McIntyre was the Leader of the Scottish National Party from 1947–1956 and a doctor by profession...
, a former Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
and the best-known figure in the party.
Based in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Watson remained active in the SNP into the 1960s.