THE First Minister is among speakers set to address SNP members at the first regional assembly this summer.
The assembly follows on from the recent SNP Independence Convention in Dundee, at which Humza Yousaf set out his proposal.
Yousaf proposed that the party should present a manifesto for independence at the next election, and if the SNP win seek negotiations with the UK Government on how to give “democratic effect” to securing independence.
The assemblies, touted by Humza Yousaf during his leadership campaign, are designed so SNP members can influence the direction of the journey to independence.
Only one assembly has been announced so far, with one organiser telling The National the party plans to hold one in each of the eight electoral regions.
South of Scotland will see its assembly held on August 26 at The Bridge in Dumfries. The event is scheduled to run from 10am to 4pm.
The southern region encompasses Dumfries and Galloway, the Borders, South and East Ayrshire, and parts of Lanarkshire.
Yousaf will be joined by Emma Harper in addressing members, as well as Minister for Irndependence Jamie Hepburn, deputy party leader Keith Brown, and the party local government convener and councillor Kelly Parry.
Tickets are available to buy on Eventbrite for £10 with funds raised contributing to the event costs. SNP membership cards will be required for entry to the event, and local and national media will be present.
The assembly will also be livestreamed by the party. It is unclear whether this will be a members-only or public livestream.
Harper encouraged members to attend to “make their voices heard.
The MSP said: “It’s great that the first of the SNP regional assemblies will be held in Dumfries, but most importantly that it will be held in the South Scotland electoral region. I want to encourage members from right across the region to come along, to participate and to make their voices heard.
“This assembly will give SNP members the opportunity to discuss how we advance support for independence across South Scotland and on how we can show people across the region the benefits of Scotland taking its place as a normal independent nation, with control over our own affairs.
“Brexit, the Tory-created cost of living crisis, mismanagement of public funds from the UK Government over sham Covid contracts, not to mention disgraced former prime minister Boris Johnson and the archaic UK system of politics, has made the need for independence ever more urgent.
“We have a fantastic team organising this assembly and it promises to be a fantastic day.
“I look forward to welcoming SNP members from across the south, to hearing their views and most importantly to discussing how we advance support for independence and give the people of South Scotland, and Scotland as a whole, a democratic say over their future, a say which is currently being denied by the Tory UK government.”
Ann Ferguson, a senior SNP figure in Dumfries and Galloway as well as key organiser for the event, added: “Appetite for independence is growing stronger each day right across Scotland, but particularly here in the South.
"This growth is fuelled by the chaos of a Tory UK government constantly embroiled in corruption and scandal, and a Labour Party who always seem to be looking the other way - neither are willing or ready to stand up for the wants of the people of Scotland.
“This South Scotland Regional Assembly, to be held in Dumfries, promises to be an excellent opportunity for members from right across the South Scotland electoral region to discuss how we can maximise independence support in the South and on how we can bring people across the region on Scotland’s journey to achieving independence.
“I encourage all SNP members to come along.”
