By Rob Munn
For a whole generation and more of SNP activists the name Allison Hunter
has a huge resonance. She was a inspiring and dedicated National Organiser for
the Scottish National Party and news of her death will have touched SNP members
past and present the length and breadth and indeed furth of Scotland.
I first met Allison when she was election agent for Jim Sillars in the
historic Govan By-Election of 1988. She shot to prominence due to the outstanding
organisational success of that campaign. However as a young activist it was the
personal touch that Allison had in spades that stays with me. She remembered
every activists name and had a task for each and every one.
Not long after that Allison became the party’s National Organiser based
in the old SNP HQ at North Charlotte Street and I’m sure like many SNP members
in Edinburgh she was a great resource to gain knowledge from. I’m
sure she listened to a large number of harebrained theories but always responded
with positive comment, gently guiding enthusiasm to more constructive ends. She
had a great smile and a twinkle in her eye – she was a hard woman to argue
with!
My memory of Allison will always strongly feature the guidance, advice, practical
support and humour she afforded me when I was the SNP candidate in the Leith
Harbour by election in 1996. It was a long campaign and Allison was on hand
every day giving pointers on canvassing, assessing our returns and helping with
campaign materials. Her support to me and my election agent Hilary Brown played
a huge part in my subsequent victory. Allison was not there the night I won –
she was at another Council by election where allegedly our prospects were
better! I still remember her joy when I phoned her to tell her I’d won by 45
votes.
Over the years that followed I got to know her better as I carried out
roles as Constituency Convener, Vetting Convener and Organiser attending
various training sessions led by Allison. She always made herself available,
listening carefully to your concerns and setting you on the right course. These
were talents that will have served her well when she later became a Glasgow
Councillor.
I remember walking into the campaign rooms in the Glasgow East by
election and Allison saying, ‘Ah, Rob you’re an experienced canvasser – I’ve a
job for you’. I knew I was in for an interesting day. Needless to say with
Allison involved as Election Agent we won that one too.
Allison was an inspiration and she will be sorely missed.
