In
the middle years of its growth to prominence, it was a matter of pride for
the SNP to have an Englishman - and a Yorkshireman - to hold national
office. Mike Murgatroyd had the distinction of being elected to serve as
National Treasurer for 13 years.
Born in Huddersfield to a textile family and with a
Paisley mother, Mike was educated at Giggleswick School. On leaving school
during the war years, he served with the Royal Artillery. Following
demobilisation, he went to study textiles, and after graduation, worked with
Dunlop and Firestone on research projects for a number of years. His life
might have been spared the travails of SNP National Treasurer, but marrying
Yvonne left him with little choice but to move to Scotland!
He obtained a job with Uniroyal, which had taken over NB
Rubber in Fountainbridge (Edinburgh), this time as a buyer. This work took
him worldwide. Yvonne joined the Edinburgh Branch of the party but while
attending meetings and socials, Mike didn't take the plunge. Fate caught up
with him to Scotland's great advantage. One evening, having gone to a
Musselburgh Branch meeting, Mike listened to George Leslie and then turned
round and said, "That's it. I'm joining". All slightly to the consternation
of members who thought that he was already a member.
In 1977, Mike was made redundant, possibly because he was
trying to gain trade union recognition. He moved to Inverness - where he
joined Inverness East Branch. Determined not to be unemployed again, he
became a taxi driver.
At Mike's funeral, former SNP Chairman, Billy Wolfe spoke
with felling about Mike's contribution - "Mike Murgatroyd was elected
National Treasurer in 1970. In June of that year there had been a General
Election. We were defending our one previous seat - Hamilton, won by Winnie
Ewing. Our hopes were high and we buoyant. We were fighting 65 out of 71
seats. In the previous election, in 1966, we contested 23 seats. The SNP had
been spreading its message like a forest fire since 1962.
In 1970, we used all the resources we could find. We lost
Hamilton but won the Western Isles. The position of National treasurer was a
daunting one. We had a serious over-draft - a recurring situation in the
years ahead.
Mike carried out his duties for 13 years, with the
complete trust of the Party. His gentle, courteous personality radiated an
aura of dedication and reliability - which also included the valuable
quality of being thrawn when that was needed. Mike was a hands-on
office-bearer, in touch with the Party's financial situation, working with
another gentle and dedicated soul, Alice Slater who was the book-keeper
during the whole of Mike's stewardship. He was a very special person and
those of us who knew him as the Party Treasurer can never forget him."
In his latter years, Mike was unable to get about. He
died leaving Yvonne, four sons and a wide family of grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
Gordon Wilson
(First printed in the November 2004 issue of The Scots Independent)
