FSN: Past and Present

The Federation of Student Nationalists (FSN) (sometimes termed SNP Students) is the student wing of the Scottish National Party (SNP), representing students in Scottish higher education. It was formed in the 1960s when various student organisations supportive of Scottish independence and the Scottish National Party in particular decided to join forces into a new constituent body.

It is not to be confused with Young Scots for Independence, which is the youth wing of the SNP - the FSN is for those in higher education, and membership is not restricted by age.

The FSN is an autonomous body from the SNP and as such can devise its own policies, publicity and campaigns. Unlike the SNP it is expressly republican, and has in the past exhibited socialist sentiments.

Key figures in the formation of the FSN were Neil MacCormick and Allan MacCartney who would both later become SNP members of the European Parliament.

It has played an active part in the affairs of the SNP and is represented on the party's National Executive Committee, with a representative position shared with the Young Scots for Independence. The FSN can send delegates to the SNP Annual National Conference and meetings of its National Council.

In the 2000 SNP Leadership campaign the FSN supported Alex Neil who lost to John Swinney. In the two subsequent leadership campaigns the organisation did not officially endorse any candidate.

It has informal links with Cymru X, the youth wing of Plaid Cymru.