SNP DELEGATES have been welcomed to Aberdeen by Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who told members to remember what the party has done to ensure Scotland is “a country confident enough, smart enough and creative enough to imagine a future beyond Westminster”.
Following the most difficult six months the party has faced in its history, hundreds of members gathered at The Event Complex, with politicians set to address attendees over three-days.
A strategy for independence will top the bill of discussion topics.
The conference kicked off on Sunday morning, with delegates arriving in a realistic and grounded mood for the 89th annual SNP conference, unlike the jubilance of previous years.
This was a combination of multiple recent factors, including the defection of Lisa Cameron MP to the Tories and the escalating war in Israel and Palestine.
The main hall of conference has also been moved from the large auditorium to a smaller event space, a stark reminder of the party’s current relationship with its decreased membership. One delegate said: “It says everything without saying it.”
However, members were visibly keen to ensure a productive and healing conference.
Flynn was due to welcome members but was delayed for an emergency resolution focused on “sending solidarity to the victims of the tragedy unfolding in Israel and Palestine, and has called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to be made available to civilians in Gaza”.
The emergency motion called for civilians to be allowed to evacuate through an open border, without the risk of being caught in a military attack.
The resolution, which the First Minster took to the stage to listen to, was moved by Christina McKelvie MSP who called for “love” to be shown to the First Minster as his mother-in-law Elizabeth El-Nakla and her husband Maged were visiting family in Gaza when the Hamas attack on Israel took place last weekend, followed by reprisals.
Both Yousaf and his wife Nadia El-Nakla have been candid about their fears for their family in the region, which also includes her 93-year-old grandmother, her brother and his family.
Elizabeth El-Nakla sent a tearful video to her son-in-law this week, which was posted to X, formerly Twitter, where she questioned “Where is humanity? Where’s people’s hearts in the world, to let this happen in this day and age?”.
The resolution stated: “Conference unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas, calls for the unconditional release of all hostages and recognises the right of Israel, in common with all nations, to protect itself from terror.
“Conference believes international law must be respected, rejects collective punishment and believes that innocent people must not pay the price for the actions of Hamas.”
It concluded: “Conference recognises that many families and communities in Scotland are affected by violence in the region; offers condolence to those who have suffered as a result of this horrific conflict; calls on Scottish civil society to be alert to, and to stand up against, discrimination and hate crime; resolves that there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia or hatred of any kind in Scotland.
"Conference reaffirms support for a two-state solution which recognises the right of both the State of Israel and the State of Palestine to exist and prosper, and which respects international law and the human rights of those in the region.”
International Officer for Young Scots for Independence Olaf Stando , and the First Minister’s wife Nadia, spoke on the motion.
El-Nakla took to the stage to a large applause. She began by sending love to Israel and Gaza, speaking of her "despair".
Visibly emotional, she shared some of the losses in her family and family friends, and that her brother - an ER doctor - is struggling to treat his patients due to a lack of supplies. The councillor said the UK government should be sending supplies, not war planes, to applause from party members.
After she concluded, El-Nakla hugged her husband and departed the stage to applause and a standing ovation. The resolution was passed with acclaim.
A video focused on SNP beginnings, with Yousaf narrating over images of activists, including Winne Ewing. He concluded the welcome clip with “we may not have started this movement, but let’s get on with it, and finish it.”
Flynn followed on from the emergency resolution to welcome delegates.
The Westminster leader paid tribute to Yousaf’s “leadership” displayed in the week leading up to conference and said: “every single one of us have felt pride this week in knowing we have him as our party leader and our first minister of Scotland.”
He welcomed delegates to Aberdeen, his home, telling them that it would be different to both the Tory and Labour conferences held earlier in month. He told members there will be no tin foil hats or glitter “falling on my hair”. This was greeted with laughs.
He echoed calls from representatives in the party, calling for SNP to listen to Scotland, as “when the Scottish National Party listens to Scotland, the Scottish National Party always wins.”
'Skint, scunnered, Scottish? Blame the Tories.'
Reflecting on the previous 13 years under a Tory government, Flynn also shared he had reached out to Labour leader Keir Starmer requesting they work together to deliver a package of support in the upcoming Autumn Budget – but Starmer did not respond.
Flynn said: “In just over a month, there will be an autumn budget in Westminster and in that budget, the SNP are calling for three major things.
“Reinstate the £400 energy rebate to help heat homes this winter. Reintroduce mortgage interest relief to help households who were hit by rising interest rates.
“And finally - follow the example of our friends in France - tackle the cost of greed crisis and cap food prices in supermarkets for essential items.
“These are real measures that will mean real help with the cost-of-living crisis for Scottish communities as we head into winter. And you know, a little less than a month ago, I offered to work with Sir Keir Starmer on delivering this package of support.
“I still don’t even know if he supports them because he has never even bothered to respond. So I’ll repeat the offer, but this time I’ll make it directly to the now two Labour MPs in Scotland. And friends, the question is very easy: “Will Labour in Scotland stand up for the people of Scotland – or will they simply do what Sir Keir Starmer tells them to do?”
He later painted a picture of current policies affecting everyday life in Scotland, compared to other areas of the UK.
He said: “The great generation led by Winnie Ewing told us to ‘stop the world, Scotland wants to get on’. And for my generation growing up - that’s exactly what began to happen. The return of our Scottish parliament gave us a voice, and our government began to confidently shape a society that reflects our values.
"It means that if you’re a bairn born in Scotland it’ll be into a baby box. As you grow, you’ll go to nursery, with 1140 hours paid for you by the state. At primary, you’ll get a free school meal. Want to go to University – that’ll be paid for you.
"In total, 95% of your peers will either do that, go to college, apprenticeship or straight to work. Finally land a job – and do so knowing that you’ll join with the majority of Scots in paying less tax than in England. Get a flat – your council tax will be cheaper than south of the border too. And all the while, you’ll turn on the tap and get crisp, clean water from a nationalised company."
He added: “Fall ill and your prescriptions are covered. Fall into poverty, and your children will be protected by the child payment. Open a small business and your business rates will be covered.
“As you age, you’ll join our young people in having access to free bus travel. Whilst living safe in the knowledge that your personal care will be covered. And bit by bit, it means a country confident enough, smart enough and creative enough to imagine a future beyond Westminster.”
