THE SNP’s annual national conference will get underway on Sunday, with debates taking place over three days in Aberdeen.
Here we take a look at some of the key issues on the agenda.
Independence strategy
The first day of conference is expected to be dominated by the debate over the issue of the SNP’s strategy on independence.
A motion jointly proposed by First Minister Humza Yousaf and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn sets out that if the party wins the most seats at a General Election, the Scottish Government is “empowered to begin immediate negotiations with the UK Government to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country”.
However there are amendments which call for that criteria to be changed to a majority of seats for the SNP, a majority of votes for the SNP, or a majority of votes for pro-independence parties. The debate on the party's direction will also intensify in the wake of the SNP's defeat in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election.
Further amendments which will be discussed have called for the word “independence” to be added to the party’s name on ballot papers and a renewed independence campaign.
Fishing and marine protection
The Scottish Government’s proposals to implement Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in 10% of the country’s waters by 2026 caused huge controversy. A consultation attracted more than 4000 responses, with concerns raised by island communities.
It was announced in June that the legislation would be scrapped in its current form, but the issue will be back on the agenda at the SNP conference on Monday, with a motion which calls for any revised framework for marine protection to be “community-centred, directly informed by the Ecological Knowledge of those working in the marine environment and fully island proofed”.
Citizenship after independence
Under plans unveiled by the Scottish Government, in an independent Scotland those entitled to automatic citizenship would include British citizens and individuals who have previously lived in Scotland for at least 10 years, or five years as a child.
People from other countries could also qualify for naturalised citizenship if they have been living in Scotland for at least five years and been “settled” in Scotland for at least 12 months.
On Sunday, the conference will hear a call for this to be changed so that everyone residing in Scotland would be recognised as a Scottish citizen on independence day, regardless of their country of origin or current nationality.
Cash for SNP branches
A motion on the party’s constitution is being put forward for debate on Tuesday, which calls for branches to be “credited with a share of membership subscriptions agreed by National Conference or National Council.”
This proposal, drawn up by SNP treasurer Stuart McDonald and national secretary Lorna Finn, has raised concerns it could lead to the central party reducing the 25% of subscription fees to which branches are currently entitled.
However the SNP have said no change is being proposed to the branch levy in the motion and nothing will be done without consultation and engagement with branches.
Dualling of key Highland roads
This debate is likely to attract attention because of the pressure over the Scottish Government on fulfilling pledges to upgrade key roads in the Highlands.
The Scottish Government has said work to dual the A9 between Inverness and Perth will not be completed by the target date of 2025, citing the impact of the Covid pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine for the delays.
The Scottish Government has also committed to dualling the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen, but a review of the proposals was launched as part of the power-sharing agreement the SNP entered with the Greens.
The motion scheduled for Tuesday calls for a reaffirmation of the SNP's “unwavering commitment to fully dualling the A9 and A96 as a top infrastructure priority for Scotland” and of the SNP’s determination to allocate the “necessary resources and expertise” to complete the projects.
