Obituary: Billy Wolfe
March 19, 2010 by Guest Writer · 15 Comments
By Kevin Gilmartin
William Cuthbertson “Billy” Wolfe, former leader of the SNP, has died aged 86. The First Minister, Alex Salmond, said he was “deeply saddened” by the news . “Billy Wolfe blazed the trail in the professionalisation and organisation of the SNP, and he more than anyone transformed it into a modern political party,” Mr Salmond said.
Born in 1924, Wolfe was educated at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, and later qualified as a time-served chartered accountant. As a soldier for the British Army in the Second World War he became involved in several organisations whose aims were to celebrate and highlight Scotland’s cultural distinctiveness within the UK.
Becoming convinced of the need for Scottish independence, Wolfe joined the Scottish National Party in 1959. In 1962 he stood for the SNP in the West Lothian by-election, where he came second to Labour’s Tam Dalyell. Defeated but encouraged by the strong showing of support for the party in an area where it previously had very little, Wolfe turned his attention to the organisation of the SNP, which had only existed for 28 years, and realised that it needed a clearly defined political stance. Under Wolfe’s guidance the party established the SNP Trade Union Group, identifying with Labour trade union campaigns and promoting distinct left-of-centre policies.
Wolfe served as deputy leader from 1966 to 1969 before succeeding Arthur Donaldson as party leader. During his time in charge he led the SNP to their greatest election victory, taking 11 seats in the House of Commons in the 1974 general election. He also led the party through the events of the controversial Scottish devolution referendum of 1979 before stepping down that year.
Wolfe served as president of the SNP from 1980 to 1982, and in the following years remained active in the SNP as an ordinary party member.
Outside of politics Wolfe ran Chieftain Forge, a spade and shovel forge manufacturing agricultural machinery. The business closed as the party’s demands left him time for little other than politics, and one of his machines can currently be seen in the Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge.
A keen writer with a love of poetry, Wolfe often penning verses in the Scots tongue. His book Scotland Lives: the Quest for Independence, was published in 1971.
He is survived by his wife, Kate, and four children from his previous marriage, David, Sheila, Ilene and Patrick. Intensely proud of his Scottish heritage, he had a flagpole and Saltire in the front garden of his South Lanarkshire home. The family flag, of which Billy was so proud, is now at half-mast.
Kevin Gilmartin
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A sad loss for Scotland!
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My sympathy goes to his family!
I met him when I was a Young Nationalist in the 70’s canvassing prior to the 11 MP’s being returned! For a number of years the SNP and Billy Wolfe were one!
RIP.
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A shame he did not live to see his record from ‘74 surpassed.
My condolences to his dear ones.
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Incredible, Sam. Your last 2 comments about Billy’s defeats were removed as being disrespectful in a tribute and yet you come back and post them again. You’d think you’d have taken the hint the first time. Some people just can’t resist sticking the boot in, even when it’s entirely inapropriate.
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A great Scot.
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A sad loss of one of the “pioneers” of the SNP.
He will be much missed.
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I knew Billy quite well and am greatly saddened by his loss. His was the cry ‘It’s Scotland’s Oil’, which he believed passionately to be true. He saw it as a way of transforming Scotland for the better; those old enough to remember the posters will recall the pictures of Scots of all ages with the caption ‘It’s his oil’ or ‘It’s her oil’, and he was right. Sadly Scots did not listen and allowed themselves to be frightened away from the prospect of owning their own country. Instead of our oil, we were ‘treated’ to Mrs Thatcher and the wholesale destruction of our traditional industries, whilst theoretically having Labour control of Scotland ( I remember the closure of Golden Wonder crisps in Broxburn, with 50 red roses being flung in front of the trucks removing the machinery. Like the Labour MPs they represented, they were crushed without a struggle!)
Sadly Billy did not live to see an independent Scotland. I hope that I, and many like me, do not suffer the same fate. One day enough Scots will get off their knees, and a new, and more equal relationship can flourish with an independent England. Billy would have liked that.
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this is very sad news indeed, billy was one of lifes gentle men he will
be missed greatly not just in the party, but for the man himself.
a sad loss to Scotland….
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A brilliant man. Politics aside, he was loved dearly and is sorely missed.
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Billy Wolfe will be missed but his example will not be forgotten. He laid the foundations of the party’s success in the 70s and was greatly encouraged by the second wave in 2007.
Those who gather for the Spring Conference in Aviemore will miss Billy in his familiar Scots bonnet surrounded by friends and still planning for a better country.
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I was fortunate enough to know Billy Wolfe as a family friend when I was a boy, and as well as being a great politician who was largely responsible for turning the SNP into the progressive social-democratic party it is today, he was an absolute gentleman. Scotland is a poorer place without him.
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Yes indeed. He truly was one of life’s gentlemen.
He was no religious bigot. At the time of his lapse -[ and it was a lapse – he had suffered a horrendous car accident and a traumatic divorce. He was not himself. Although he was dropped from the Party’s NEC, he was supported by the Party’s Roman Catholic members, who loved him despite his lapse. Many were still visiting him till the end.
Margo MacDonald described the incident, which some on the media tried to exploit, as Billy being an awfy nice man, but a but “fey”.
RIP Billy you were a good man who will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. RIP the sheep in wolf’s clothing.
Rest in peace Billy.
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Billy Wolffe was one of the great men in the Scottish National Party and helped put it from small beginnings to where it is today. As a Scottish Patriot his name deserves a prominent place in the history of our Nation.
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Just a wee update. I was at Aviemore over the weekend and it was a sadder place without him, but his legacy was truy acknowledged by speaker after speaker from the rostrum; but I missed his toothy grin and twinkling eyes – and our usual we blether about anything and everything.
His funeral wll be at Holytown Crematorium an Memorial Gardens on Monday 29th MArch at 2.15pm with all welcome to attend.I’m sure it will be a busy place!
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BUT but he lost many Catholics who stoped voting SNP; many have returned but some still do not look on that lapse as a lapse.
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