Adapting to devolution, governmental participation and organisational reform in Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party

Recent contributions to the study of autonomist parties have examined their development in the context of sub-state governing structures such as devolution in Wales and Scotland. Using this, and other relevant literature, this thesis examines the recent organisational development and governmental experience of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party (SNP), and explores how they have adapted to the opportunity structure that is devolution. The thesis takes a comparative case study approach and deploys mixed methods, using interview, documentary and survey data in the empirical analysis. The thesis finds that whilst the SNP were able to achieve unprecedented electoral success in the 2011 Scottish elections from the position of incumbency, Plaid Cymru suffered electorally due to, in part, organisational vulnerabilities. This led to an internal review of the party's structures and subsequent reforms which mirror, fairly closely, reforms undertaken by the SNP in 2003-2004. Despite the different experiences of government and varying triggers for organisational reform, both parties have adapted to devolution by, essentially, becoming more office-seeking organisations and placing greater emphasis on electoral success as a strategic imperative for the achievement of their primary goals.Recent contributions to the study of autonomist parties have examined their development in the context of sub-state governing structures such as devolution in Wales and Scotland. Using this, and other relevant literature, this thesis examines the recent organisational development and governmental experience of Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party (SNP), and explores how they have adapted to the opportunity structure that is devolution. The thesis takes a comparative case study approach and deploys mixed methods, using interview, documentary and survey data in the empirical analysis. The thesis finds that whilst the SNP were able to achieve unprecedented electoral success in the 2011 Scottish elections from the position of incumbency, Plaid Cymru suffered electorally due to, in part, organisational vulnerabilities. This led to an internal review of the party's structures and subsequent reforms which mirror, fairly closely, reforms undertaken by the SNP in 2003-2004. Despite the different experiences of government and varying triggers for organisational reform, both parties have adapted to devolution by, essentially, becoming more office-seeking organisations and placing greater emphasis on electoral success as a strategic imperative for the achievement of their primary goals