A GRASSROOTS group is hoping that the upcoming SNP conference will show that the party leadership is “willing to listen to the wider independence movement”.

The party conference is set to take place in Edinburgh next weekend, against the backdrop of a General Election wipeout and, more recently, fallout over a meeting held between External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson and a senior Israeli diplomat.

The final agenda for the conference has been published, and it includes a motion from the SNP trade union group (TUG), a grassroots affiliate with 11,000 members.

The motion calls on the party to adopt a more effective use of tax powers, including by increasing the tax contribution of higher earners across Scotland, and granting local authorities the power to introduce taxes which meet local needs within the terms of devolution.

Simon Barrow, national secretary of the SNP TUG, told The National that the conference offers leadership the opportunity to listen to the grassroots movement.

“This will be an important conference for demonstrating that the party leadership is really willing to listen to its grassroots, and with the wider independence movement,” Barrow said.

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“That means a reset in terms of governance, democracy, communication and strategy moving forward.

“While it would be unrealistic to expect such issues to be resolved at one meeting, conference is an opportunity to signal how and by what means change will be negotiated following significant losses at the UK General Election.”

‘Ensuring the wealthy pay their fair share’

Barrow said that the motion, which is set to be debated on the first day of the conference, is “all about defending the interests of lower- and middle-income earners by ensuring that the wealthy pay a fairer share”.

It includes exploring “realistic options” for a wealth tax, which was proposed by the Scottish Trades Union Congress as a way of generating additional revenue to support public services, investment and living standards across Scotland.

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Barrow said he hopes the motion, if adopted as policy, will also appeal to voters outside of the SNP.

“Trade unionists are a key part of the wider electorate who will also be wanting to see clear signs that the SNP in government recognises the need to improve and change,” he said.

“That means facing crunch issues around finance, investment, public services and delivery.”

‘Scotland’s path must be different’

The real solution to the issues faced by cuts is through independence, Barrow told The National.

He continued: “At Westminster the new Labour Government seems set on austerity and cuts. Scotland’s path must be different, starting now.

“Our motion shows that there is more that can be done with existing powers.

“But we are equally clear that the real solution to the squeeze we face is the full powers that only come with independence.”