Although armed with a new constitution in 1948, the Party was not able to project itself on to the Scottish political scene in which the two unionist parties were so dominant. At this time, an informal alliance of young members attempted to challenge the leadership and James Halliday had the onerous position of Chairman of the Party thrust upon him. Part of the explanation of this increased attention can be explained by the parlous situation of the Scottish economy. Other nations, especially those which had been defeated in war, were catching up and passing Britain in key areas of output, e.g. Japan in shipbuilding. Those who were keen to make a change in the situation and who could not find a comfortable political base within the Labour, Conservative or Liberal Parties had the SNP to look to and, given certain constraints, a party in which they could make a rapid advance.
Membership drives are legion in all political parties.
Most of the time they start off with great enthusiasm and are quickly forgotten because of the strains of attracting new members who will actively support the organisation. Arthur Donaldson succeeded James Halliday as Chairman in 1960 and, by good fortune, this coincided with the entry of new spirits into the SNP Vital to the gaining of new members was the work of Ian McDonald and Dr James Lees. McDonald, an Ayrshire farmer, joined the SNP when a student at Glasgow University. In the late 1950 s, he became a member of the National Executive and proceeded to develop techniques to recruit new members and build up branches. Dr James Lees returned to Scotland, after a long period of medical work as a pathologist in England, in 1961.