AS the SNP virtual conference approached I attended a branch Zoom meeting to discuss the final conference agenda. There was genuine anger at the way ordinary members have been treated.
Branches were asked for resolutions months ago only to see them all (more than 100, I understand) binned. Amendments were then asked for and also all swiftly binned. In an hour-long discussion a few members were angry enough to suggest that we try to reject the whole conference agenda at the start of the meeting. Others feared what that would say about the party six months before the Scottish Parliament elections.
READ MORE: ‘Alternative’ SNP conference to hold vote on Plan B for indyref2
Another suggestion was to move a remit back of each resolution one by one. However that raises the question – remit them to where? Do we want to see them all resurrected at a repeat conference sometime in the spring?
There were half-joking suggestions that we should ask for our delegate fees back.
“Approved” lists of candidates for the NEC and officer bearer positions are now appearing on the internet. The latest is the oddly named snpgoodguys.com. I see that I have been included in it (thanks for that) but someone else has been more “approved” as #1 for the West of Scotland NEC. Who decides who gets on this list? What is the criteria to be a good guy (or gal)? Might it be the folk suggested as #1 candidates? The site calls for more transparency but fails to show it by naming its authors on the site.
READ MORE: Chris Hanlan: SNP must face up to the big issues without tearing ourselves apart
In the end our branch decided simply to wait and see what happens. There was frustration and fear that the whole thing could turn into a giant public mess and a PR disaster.
Maybe it would have been better not to hold the whole damn thing, blame the Covid, wait for a vaccine and hold a real conference with real resolutions and real amendments in the spring, maybe even after May, to discuss the next – hopefully final – steps forward.
Brian Lawson
Candidate for the SNP NEC West of Scotland region seat
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel