Allan Armour Todd
1st December 1935
–
12th September 2003
Allan joined the SNP, along with many others, after Winnie’s historic win in 1967. He was a stalwart of the East Kilbride SNP through the 1970’s. When Margo, the PPC for East Kilbride, was selected to fight in Govan in 1973, Allan went with her and helped organise her campaign. After the win there, Allan returned to East Kilbride and helped mastermind the campaign that gave us control of the District Council.
In the 80’s and 90’s, he spread his net wider, becoming an Area Organiser and setting up and running organisation training courses with his fellow organisers. He ran several high profile by-election campaign rooms, notably Govan in 1988 and both Roseanna and Annabelle’s narrow victories in Perth.
Always an advocate for Scotland’s cause, he never sought office, preferring to use his organisational experience to fight for Scotland.
Allan died suddenly in September 2003 at his Blairgowrie home, leaving his wife Anna and son, Jeffrey. His funeral was well attended by the Party, from the leader, John Swinney, to many rank and file activists. When clearing his office I found a speech he was planning to give at the 2003 National Conference urging the Party to continue training organisers. To the last, he was still fighting the cause.
Jeffrey Todd
I first got to know Allan Todd in the Govan by-election in 1988 and the Central by-election the following year and soon learned to obey his every command. I was working behind the counter in the rooms organising canvass packs and tallying totals at the end of the night. This was in the days before we had automated systems so everything was done on paper and I checked, double checked and triple checked my figures with a diligence which would have greatly surprised any of my maths teachers if they had witnessed it.
Allan was very much a behind-the-scenes person, rather than front of house. He was quite self-effacing and had no interest in occupying the political limelight. He had a dry sense of humour and always saw the funny side of things even when they went disastrously wrong - a useful gift for any political organiser to have. He was also as sharp as a tack and set a high standard for everyone around him.
Allan belonged to the generation of nationalists who helped to transform the Party into an effective and disciplined campaigning organisation - and by doing so enabled us to win power. It is a great pity that he did not live to see an SNP Government. I think he would have enjoyed that - though he would also have reminded us not to get too carried away as we still have the small matter of an independence referendum to win!
from Mhairi Hunter, on
6th July 2009
Allan was a steadfast, funny and hard-working stalwart of the Party’s campaigning. Numerous stories abound about his doggedness to the cause (of canvassing) and movement (including polling station cover). Taken far too early, he is sorely missed.
from Grant Thoms, on
16th July 2009
As National Organiser of the SNP from 1977 to 1990, I can safely say that there were not many activists as dedicated to the organisation of the Party as Allan Todd.
Despite the set backs, both personal and political, over the years Allan contributed to the growth and development of the Party and, having introduced the vision of Area Organisers to assist the National Organiser, I was delighted that he then also agreed to be one of the first in the country.
Allan’s support in this respect, and as one of the main organising players in numerous parliamentary by-elections during this period, his contribution cannot be overrated.
He was held in high regard by agents and organisers and the Party owes him, and his family, a sincere vote of thanks for the dedication and commitment made over the years.
His untimely death was a shock to everyone.
from Alan McKinney, on
20th September 2009