LIKE many others, I was saddened to hear of former SNP leader Gordon Wilson’s passing. My early interactions with him had been fractious, as I was one of the 79 Group members initially expelled by him. However, over the years I got to know him well. He was a genuinely kind and decent man, and he was a source of wise political counsel.

Passionately committed to the twin aims of the SNP – Scottish independence and furthering Scottish interests – he kept both the party and the cause alive, through difficult times. Back then a Scottish Parliament seemed a distant dream, never mind a referendum on independence. That the party survived as a credible force is down to him.

In his legacy, though, there are lessons for Nicola Sturgeon. Not only in recognising that whilst independence remains the raison d’etre, there are times when other issues must come to the fore, but, equally, in the need to build both the party organisation on the ground and in how the cause is promoted.

In politics, there’s a time to advance and a time to consolidate. Mr Wilson had to do more of the latter than the former. He took over leadership of a party after a crushing election defeat, quickly followed by internecine warfare and electoral marginalisation as Scottish society polarised under Margaret Thatcher.

I was speaking to him last year about his recollection of the 1979 General Election. Then, in many ways, he had survived against the odds, when he had seen off his Labour challenger, the iconic Jimmy Reid. It was an election in which the SNP were nearly wiped out with only him and Donald Stewart, in the Western Isles, surviving the cull. He indicated that the SNP campaign nationally had been dreadful and he had cut loose in the latter weeks. Some SNP losers in the recent election may rue that they didn’t do likewise, as another lacklustre national campaign was put before the electorate and significant losses followed.

That along with his reputation as an assiduous constituency representative saw off both the Labour titan and the AEU union machine in the Hall-Russell shipyard, Timex factory and elsewhere in the constituency. His was a legacy that helped see Dundee become a Yes-voting city in the independence referendum.

However, the lesson of having to fight for every vote was taken from the streets of Dundee into SNP HQ. It was at a time when the SNP was sometimes polling in single figures and on other occasions delighted simply to be in the teens. Every vote mattered and an organisational machine was built up under Alan McKinney, his agent when he’d first won the seat. Elections and by-elections saw results dug out against all the odds and several spectacular victories were secured.

A well as securing the party at the base, he sought to promote it more widely at the top. Realising the need for the SNP to grow, he was generous in encouraging others to share the spotlight. This demonstrated not only by allowing a young radical like myself to lead the SNP campaign against the Poll Tax but more importantly in promoting Jim Sillars and Alex Salmond. A wide leadership team was established.

Not just our society but politics has changed since then. However, somethings remain constant and Ms Sturgeon could learn from Mr Wilson’s legacy.

Every vote counts, as many candidates found out this past election, with seats won by handfuls of votes. But valuable learning that was garnered in election campaigning has been allowed to dissipate. Stories abounded of SNP campaigning errors that would make old stalwarts weep.

For sure publicity and social media are important but grassroots organisation remains fundamental. Huge progress has been made in many areas but some basics seem to have been forgotten. Activism on the ground not just in cyber space is needed.

Ms Sturgeon has to address that. The organisation machine that had been built up needs to be restored.

There should be a greater emphasis on that, not simply on social media and publicity. It’s a complicated job running a political party and Peter Murrell has done tremendous work. But, as party chief executive he has to build the party from the base up, not simply be cheerleader in chief for his spouse.

Likewise, the profile of the party has never been greater, yet the spotlight never more focused on one individual.

Ms Sturgeon is hugely talented and a great asset. However, the concentration on her detracts from both colleagues and the wider cause. Both her cabinet ministers and the party more generally are eclipsed as a result.

The SNP is bigger and the cause wider than just her. Focusing on her has been both a high- risk and short-term strategy. Others need allowed to blossom. The cause and the party both locally and nationally need promoted.

She could learn a lot from Mr Wilson about building the base of the party and broadening her leadership team.