A FURTHER four SNP regional assemblies have been announced across Scotland – bringing the total number of events to discuss the route to independence up to six.
The assemblies, touted by Humza Yousaf during his leadership campaign, are said to be designed so SNP members can influence the direction of the journey to independence.
One organiser previously told The National the SNP plans to hold one in each of the eight electoral regions.
South of Scotland and North East organisers announced their assemblies for local members earlier this month.
One recent message to members included an apology for the short notice of the latest announcements.
Central Scotland members were given just over a week’s notice for their assembly this weekend.
One branch convener said: "I’ve been asked to convey apologies for the short notice for this event - hope you can make it, nevertheless. This is a good opportunity to have our voices heard and to join in the debate about the best way forward so please come along if you can."
It will be held at Old Monkland Community Centre in Coatbridge from 2pm until 4pm and is understood to be sold out.
Glasgow, Mid Scotland and Fife, and Highlands and Islands have also confirmed the dates and locations of their assemblies, as well as speakers who will join in the debate.
Highlands and Islands SNP members will be joined by council leader Raymond Bremner, minister for independence Jamie Hepburn MSP, Drew Hendry MP for Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey, Ian Blackford MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and Maree Todd MSP for Caithness, Sutherland, and Ross.
The assembly will be held at the Spectrum Centre in Inverness on Saturday, August 12 from 10.30am to 4pm.
There will also be a discussion on the “Governance and Transparency review”. This is a free event, whilst several others are paid and ticketed.
This assembly is understood to be the only confirmed hybrid event with a Zoom call-in available. North East will have an online discussion.
Mid Scotland and Fife's organisers said they will "be exploring the option to invite people who couldn't attend to join a follow up Zoom call".
This assembly will be held Loch Leven Community Campus on Saturday, August 19 from 10am until 3pm. It is the only event that has stated doors will be closed to media. In addition to guest speakers and a panel session yet to be announced, organisers will be hosting five break out topics with each member having the opportunity to participate in two topics.
The event page states: “The same five topics will be run twice during the two breakout sessions. You will be asked to select your two top choices, plus a backup option, and will be assigned your first and second session based on those preferences.”
At Glasgow’s event, members will hear from speakers including councillor Katy Loudon, the SNP’s candidate for the Rutherglen by-election, as well as Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken.
It will be held on Saturday, August 12, which is the same day as the Highlands and Islands assembly, from 11am until 4pm at Eastfield Community Centre in Cambuslang.
The discussions are expected to contribute to the SNPs October conference which will see a definitive answer to the parties independence route. The assembly follows on from the recent SNP Independence Convention in Dundee, at which Yousaf set out his proposals.
Yousaf wants the party to 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 leaving the Union.
All event details can be found here.
