The Scottish National Party has announced that Kevin Pringle is taking up a new post at Party Headquarters in Edinburgh as Director of Strategic Communication – moving from his position as a Scottish Government Special Adviser, which he has held since the SNP’s election victory in May 2007.
Working as part of Chief Executive Peter Murrell’s headquarters team, Mr Pringle’s responsibilities will include the SNP’s preparations for the independence referendum campaign.
Mr Pringle will continue to report to Alex Salmond as party leader, and will also liaise closely with Nicola Sturgeon in her capacity as a member of the Advisory Board of Yes Scotland. Mr Pringle leaves his current post today, and starts his new position on 10 September.
Mr Pringle said:
“It has been a huge privilege to work for the first ever SNP Government – which was resoundingly re-elected on the basis of our positive record, team and vision for Scotland. And it will be an even greater privilege to play a part in achieving a Yes vote for independence in the autumn 2014 referendum, which I am absolutely confident we can do.
“The Scottish Government has delivered important policies in tough times – 1,000 more police officers, the Council Tax freeze, more Modern Apprenticeships than ever before, a record number of Scots accepted to Scottish universities this year as we hold firm to our tradition of free education – and the government is even more popular now than in last year’s election victory.
“But more needs to be done, and Scotland can achieve a lot more with the full powers of independence – which is why I believe the Yes campaign will win the trust of the people in the referendum.”
First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond said:
“Kevin has given more than five years of outstanding service as a Special Adviser to the SNP Government, and is returning to the party where he played a key role in the SNP’s election victory in 2007 and landslide re-election last year. I’m delighted that his talents will now be deployed in helping to deliver a Yes vote in the independence referendum in autumn 2014.”