HUMZA Yousaf took to the stage in Aberdeen to close his first SNP annual conference as the party’s leader in some of the most difficult of circumstances.
A party that has had some of the most difficult months in its history paired with the personal challenges the First Minister and his family are going through with family trapped in Gaza, many delegates sympathised with their leader, with great pride.
The three-day conference was dominated by praise for his leadership shown in the last few weeks, and as his speech was delivered to the hall, I texted my colleagues back in Glasgow, reporting that I couldn’t believe how strong the hall was backing the First Minister.
The energy was something many did not expect, and as highlighted when Joanna Cherry MP stated, “thank you Humza” on day one of conference, his capabilities in leading the party to unify on the independence route were admired.
For the country as a whole, delegates shared they were keen to get this capability and leadership recognised. For the party to again be recognised as the party that delivers “good things”, that “do not divide” and while there is a way to go in the internal structure of the party mending itself and that filtering down to all areas of its activist network, delegates leaving stated they were "leaving optimistic".
As Yousaf concluded his speech, I asked delegates leaving what they thought of the deliverance and policy, as well as asking them to sum up the SNP’s 2023 conference in one word.
‘We're back’
Tommy Sheppard MP reacted as one of the first coming out of the hall, stating: “Well, I thought it was brilliant speech - his first one as party leader, he stepped up to the mark. I mean, every day that goes by he's growing in confidence and stature.
“I voted for him to become leader and I'm extremely pleased with the way he’s getting into the job.
“The speech itself, some really, really good, practical things that were announced. Not just abstracts and wishes and principles, but hard concrete stuff.
“We're very excited about the idea of raising our own financial and international bond market to supplement what we can do within the devolution framework. I think that that shows a new confidence in the Scottish Government to really - not just max out - but to test the boundaries of devolution and use the authority that's been gained through working devolution to take us a step further.
“And as he said himself, to begin to prepare the groundwork, the institutions, the infrastructure that we're going to need to operate as a successful independent country. So it's all positive stuff.”
‘Leaving optimistic’
One delegate said: “I thought it was a really impressive, passionate speech. It had a good vision to it, some pretty bold announcements especially the idea of the bonds, something that maybe will big-up Scotland’s reputation internationally.”
‘Not recovery, quickening pace’
Former MSP Rob Gibson commented: “It’s policy rich. It's on the ball for being ambitious – and Scotland needs to look to that future right now because it's the only ambition that they're going to see in politics in this country.
When asked if any key proposals stated by Yousaf had impressed, he said: “The bond market one, that’s really big. The idea of having money to build, to build large amounts of affordable housing is essential so for that to be the final announcement is a superb way to conclude.”
‘Positive’
Another delegate from Bo’ness reacted coming out of the hall with, again, a focus on the bond market. He said: “I would say it was very good, really positive. I think the bond thing is really good because I think it's shows and is part of a trend of what I would call self-devolution, in terms of we’re actually building the institutions of the Scottish state, and obviously that international reputation is really important as well.
He added: “I think the council tax freeze is something that's really important and will be important for a lot of people as well, but I do wonder to what extent it may have a knock-on effect on local authorities.
“But other than that, I think Humza’s a great leader. He’s come in at a difficult time and I think he's shown to me - particularly on Israel and Gaza - he's probably one of the strongest, if not the strongest Western leader and I mean that sincerely.”
‘Compassionate’
Councillor for Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Sarah Neal reacted with: “Aw, it was just emotional to be honest. The complete antithesis to Tory conference. It was compassionate, it was warm, it was welcoming. It made me proud to be Scottish and proud of Humza, if doesn't sound patronizing.
“I've been proud of our leadership throughout the whole conference and that's a nice place to be in. Feeling privileged to be part of this party.”
‘Enjoyable’
George Adam MSP commented: “I thought it was an absolutely fantastic speech from the First Minister. It spoke to the people of Scotland in a way that the real problems that they have like the council tax freeze, one of the largest bills that you probably get within the household, so it’s something the government can do about it.
“There was also a vision for the future there with the idea of the bonds for future capital investment. So, all in all, I think it was an absolute fantastic speech and I'm just looking forward to getting back to Holyrood and actually getting the work done.
When asked for one word on conference, Adam said “enjoyable”, adding: “It’s been good to meet up with MSPs and MPs, colleagues away from the actual day job in parliament, and it's been quite good to just take a breath and sit down, to just enjoy being in each other's company not with the pressure of the day-to-day grind. I also think the fact we are talking about the future again with the SNP is always when we’re at our best.”
‘Renewing’
Another delegate stated: “I thought it was very good, certainly the one we were needing to hear, and I think it's onwards and upwards.”
And the specific policy proposal – “The bonds. That is exactly what we are needing and it's good to see that ambition.”
‘Ambition’
A representative of the SNPs youth wing, the YSI (Young Scots for Independence), stated: “I thought it was a brilliant example of how the SNP is miles ahead of all the opposition that has to offer.
“We have the vision which we need to get to our end goal, which is obviously independence. We have the ability to deliver on the people's current priorities, but it comes from a whole wide range of issues, everything from the cost of living to the main infrastructure challenges such as affordable housing and investing in those major projects.
“And I think we have a brilliant direction and we're heading in exactly the right direction that Scotland needs to be going in.”
