SNP 88th National Conference 2022

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SNP campaign bus toured Scotland in the 21 days before the local elections in May. The party won the elections with 34.1 per cent of the votes cast and marked the eleventh Scotland-wide poll in a row where the SNP had come out on top. The SNP made the most gains and won the most seats of any party, getting 453 councillors elected to council chambers across the country.

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Welcome to the SNP’s annual national conference – our first to be held in person since 2019.

It is wonderful to be able to physically meet our friends and colleagues again from every part of Scotland, to discuss and debate the future of our country and the wider world.

All of us are aware of the gravity of the situation Scotland faces. And all of us know the urgency of the need for the kind of positive change we can only achieve through the powers of independence.

Every day in government we are doing all we can to improve lives and help people and families through tough times.

Blessed with extraordinary resources and talent Scotland is a country of possibility

Under Westminster control though, we face a Tory cost crisis that is forcing businesses to fold, threatening jobs and forcing thousands to feed their families from food banks.

We face a Tory government openly and deliberately setting out to make the rich richer and doing it by taking money from the household budgets of the poorest.

And, we see a systematic attack on the limited powers Scotland has to defend itself with all the Westminster parties defying democracy and denying the right of the Scottish people to decide their own future.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Independent European countries comparable to Scotland are wealthier and fairer than the UK.

So why not Scotland? We have vast natural and energy resources, world-leading industries and, above all, a highly educated and talented workforce supported by some of the world’s very best colleges and universities.

We are perfectly placed to prosper in the modern world – just like the myriad of nations outperforming the UK right now.

It has never been clearer than it is today: Westminster is taking Scotland in the wrong

direction, and simply cannot be trusted to act in our best interests. Since 2014, almost every promise it made to Scotland has been broken as a hard-line Brexit that only the most extreme ever supported was forced through.

We face a choice of two futures: becoming an independent country in which decisions about Scotland’s future are made by the people who live here or accepting continued crisis and control from Westminster.

In the coming days the UK’s highest court will hear legal arguments over the right of people in Scotland to determine their own future.

Are we living in a voluntary union of equal nations or in a political system in which Westminster will always get its way - regardless of the views of the people who live here?

As we have seen in the last few weeks with the publication of the gold-standard social attitudes survey, support for independence, for Scotland choosing its own path, is at historically high levels. The question before our nation is who do we want to be in the driving seat of shaping Scotland’s future? We need governments and parliaments elected by the people of Scotland and focussed on the priorities and interests of Scotland.

That is the biggest question facing our country: to remain with the crisis-ridden, chaotic and corrupt Westminster system; or to take the opportunities offered by Independence and forge a better future, together.

So, as we gather again in Aberdeen let’s be clear about the unprecedented dangers Scotland faces under continued Westminster rule.

Most of all though, let’s also look to chart our course to a brighter, better future with Independence.

Agenda Saturday 8 October

Session 1

10h30 Welcome Address by Keith Brown MSP, Depute Leader

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans

10h40 Report of the Conferences Committee

10h45 Resolutions

12h00 Address by Lesia Vasylenko, People’s Deputy of Ukraine

12h15 Close

01 RERAILING NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND

Conference recognises the vital role that Scotland’s railways will fulfil in the low carbon economy; notes that inclusive growth and access to high quality public transport are transformative for people and business.

Conference understands that Peterhead and Fraserburgh are the largest towns farthest from the rail network in Scotland and rail links could lead to substantial investment and the regeneration of the towns; acknowledges the ports located in the towns are strategically important for future trade routes with our Nordic and European neighbours; and notes the vast economic potential that freight trains will bring to the local, regional and national economy.

Conference agrees that rail links to Fraserburgh and Peterhead should be re-established to the Scottish rail network as a matter of priority.

KAREN ADAM MSP, CLLR ANOUK KLOPPERT

02 ROSYTH-ZEEBRUGGE FERRY LINK

Conference welcomes the news of the proposed reopening of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route and commends the efforts of all those that have campaigned for years to achieve this much.

Conference recognises that Scotland is historically a maritime nation and the economic benefits we have enjoyed from our close connection to the sea date back well over a thousand years.

Conference deplores that decades of inaction and underinvestment by Westminster has led to this situation where our international ferry services have atrophied to such an extent that we have no mainland ferry link to continental Europe.

Conference resolves to set a timescale, of the end of this Scottish Parliament, to consult with coastal communities through a deliberative consultation model, to ensure all needs and requirements are taken into account, particularly those of island communities, and to establish an ambitious Maritime Strategy which will meet an independent Scotland’s business, tourism, and international maritime trading requirements.

WEST FIFE & COASTAL VILLAGES BRANCH, DOUGLAS CHAPMAN MP, UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, EASTWOOD CONSTITUENCY BRANCH AMENDMENT

Add at end: “This would include exploring the possibilities of getting freight goods off the road and into containers for onward shipping. LEITH BRANCH

03 COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES

Conference notes party policy to make bus travel a more attractive and reliable option by investing over £500 million to improve bus infrastructure and tackle congestion. Protecting the National Concessionary Travel Scheme, extending free bus travel to everyone under 22 years old, investing £120 million in Zero Emission Buses, and enabling Local Authorities to optimise delivery of bus services in their area is an integral part of current policy.

Conference is concerned however at the apparent lack of progress in delivering bus services in local communities and agrees that providing regular affordable bus services that meets people’s needs, are key to persuading people to use public transport and help Scotland to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Conference therefore calls upon the Scottish Government to set up a working group with Cosla to investigate the delivery of realistic bus services that can be rolled out in local authority areas.

STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH, GRANTOWN & DISTRICT BRANCH, UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, ANGUS NORTH & MEARNS CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION, AVONDALE BRANCH

Agenda Saturday 8 October

04 LAND REFORM

Conference believes that land reform and national independence have always been seen by Scots as inseparable aims. Rapid progress on both is essential in the quest for a democratic, fairer and resilient nation.

Conference welcomes the promise of a new Land Reform Bill in 2023 that seeks to deliver the next chapter of just transition, community wealth building, nurturing natural resources, wellbeing, food security and repopulation which all rely on radical land reform to succeed.

Conference believes that diverse and sustainable land uses require diverse and transparent land ownership which is taxed appropriately. Therefore we call for a ministerial task force to coordinate an inter-departmental approach, as is the case with climate change policies, to deliver the land reform related manifesto pledges which we won the right to apply in the 2021 Scottish Election.

Ahead of the new Land Reform Bill in 2023, Conference calls for early intervention by our Scottish Government to end the harm inflicted on local communities by secret land deals, shortage of affordable housing, carbon colonialism and its associated land purchases.

We urge the Scottish Government to take action:

A) Secret land deals must be ended by parliamentary instruments that instruct sellers to advertise land for sale ensuring adequate time for local communities to register an interest to buy.

B) Land for affordable homes at existing use value would reduce construction costs. Designation of housing pressured areas can be backed by internationally-agreed human rights conventions to build eco-friendly homes on public or private land which will be protected from open market sales by rural burdens and title conditions.

C) Unregulated carbon offsetting has spiked due to UK tax breaks and Scottish tree planting and peatland grants. Local communities must be consulted before land purchases for carbon offsetting schemes. Woodland and peatland carbon codes must be made to benefit nature and local communities. Tougher rules can promote peatland restoration, planting non-commercial tree species and permanent woodland creation instead of monetising natural resources.

A surge of land purchases for private gain and carbon offsetting undermines local communities without offering community benefit. A mechanism is needed to curtail land purchases in Scotland which exploit our precious biodiversity for private gain by individuals acting alone or in consortia. The Scottish Government should plan to introduce legally-binding limits on the total amount of land that can be held by such owners.

LONDON BRANCH, CROMARTY FIRTH BRANCH, DUNDEE CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

Session 2

14h00 Topical and Emergency Resolutions

14h20 Resolutions

15h15 Address by Ian Blackford MP, SNP Westminster Leader

15h30 Resolutions

16h15 Close

05 ADOPTION OF THE DEFINITION OF ISLAMOPHOBIA IN THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Conference acknowledges the NEC decision to formally adopt the definition of Islamophobia in February 2022:

“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”. Substantial research has taken place and has been led by the APPG on British Muslims and further supported by the previous CPG on Tackling Islamophobia.”

Conference makes a commitment to support the rights of victims by upholding Islamophobia as a recognised form of hate crime.

Conference requests the Scottish Government to officially adopt and implement the APPG definition of Islamophobia in all policies and practices.

SNP BAME NETWORK, SCOTS ASIANS FOR INDEPENDENCE, KIRSTEEN FRASER (EQUALITIES CONVENER), KAUKAB STEWART MSP, STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH

Agenda Saturday 8 October

06 UK RWANDA PLAN FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

Conference condemns the UK Government’s assault on asylum seekers which is causing worry and suffering to some of the most vulnerable in society seeking refuge.

Conference believes that everyone has the right to live in dignity, safety, and free of poverty and discrimination of any kind. This is also for LGBTQ+ people who have fled life-threatening situations in their home countries.

Conference recognises that the UK Rwanda plan is immoral and violates asylum seekers human rights to a fair trial, freedom of expression and privacy, allegations of torture, overcrowding, and excessive use of force at processing centres.

Conference therefore resolves that the UK government abandon its policy of cruelty and commit to its obligation of welcoming those fleeing war, economic instability, and persecution.

SNP BAME NETWORK, GRANTOWN & DISTRICT BRANCH, CLLR GRAHAM CAMPBELL (BAME CONVENER), ANNE MCLAUGHLIN MP, UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, CRAIGENTINNY/DUDDINGSTON BRANCH, EASTWOOD CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, LEITH BRANCH, CLLR IAN GALLAGHER, AVONDALE BRANCH, ABERDEEN CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, EDINBURGH CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH, ANGUS NORTH & MEARNS CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION

07 EDUCATING NEW SCOTS ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS

Conference notes that many new Scots, from all origins, still are not aware that they are allowed to vote.

Conference also notes that some fear to have their voices heard, due the media reports from racist and alienating actions and laws, happening in England.

Furthermore, Conference notes that independence support increased after Brexit, and many EU New Scots call Scotland Home, and have been a huge asset to our society.

Conference believes that New Scots can make a substantial difference in the next referendum since they represent 7.6% of total population.

Conference, therefore, resolves that training should be widely offered to SNP activists, so that they can inform New Scots of their voting rights, while campaigning for the next referendum.

Conference, also resolves, that all promotional material, printed and online, should include a QR code linked to information in several languages, and that specific campaign events should be aimed at New Scots.

GILMERTON BRANCH, CLLR SERENA COWDY, ARBROATH & DISTRICT BRANCH, BEARSDEN SOUTH BRANCH AMENDMENT

Add at end of the first paragraph, “in Scotland”.

Replace second paragraph with “Conference condemns the UK Government’s ‘hostile environment’ policy which makes it more difficult for people from overseas to come to live and work in Scotland.”

CLLR SERENA COWDY, CLLR ALEX KERR

08 ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION

Conference condemns the UK Government’s plans to increase the capacity of the immigration detention estate, including a new detention centre for 1500 people in Linton-on-Ouse and plans to ‘offshore’ asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Conference notes that seeking asylum is not illegal, and the UK Government unfairly punishes those who are trafficked or make dangerous journeys to reach a safe location.

Conference notes that immigration detention should not be the default option for any government and should only be used when strictly necessary and proportionate. Conference further notes that the cost of detaining an individual can cost around double that of alternatives such as housing and legal guidance.

Conference also believes that Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre is completely at odds with this vision, and has not been welcome in Scotland since it was imposed upon us by the Home Office in 2001.

Conference resolves that an independent Scotland should oversee the dismantling of the immigration detention system as far as is possible. Conference agrees that alternatives to detention should be sought wherever possible for those who have grounds for detention under the current system.

GLASGOW PROVAN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, GLASGOW SHETTLESTON CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, EAST NEUK BRANCH, OUT FOR INDEPENDENCE, GALLOWAY & WEST DUMFRIES CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION, RENFREW & GALLOWHILL BRANCH, KAREN ADAM MSP, PETERHEAD BRANCH, BILL KIDD MSP, ANNE MCLAUGHLIN MP

Agenda

13 OctoberSaturday 8 October

09 ABORTION SERVICES IN SCOTLAND

Conference affirms that universal access to sexual and reproductive health education and services - including access to contraception and to safe abortion services - should be a fundamental human right.

Conference respects the principle of free speech regarding abortion rights. Conference also recognises that the right to free speech is not absolute and that legal limits should be placed on speech that contravenes the rights of others, which causes harassment, alarm, and distress.

To ensure that anyone in Scotland who requires it can safely access legal Abortion Services to the full extent of that allowed in the current Abortion Act, Conference calls on the Scottish Government to make the following actions a priority:

• Ensure that national buffer zone legislation is enacted to protect those who are attending reproductive medicine clinics/hospitals offering abortion services.

• Make the availability of home abortion services implemented during the pandemic a permanently available service and ensure this service is available and equally accessible across all Health Board areas in Scotland, by setting clear standards for provision.

• Immediately begin the process of commissioning a specialist provision and recruiting and training staff to provide specialist services for legal, later term abortions up to 24 weeks in Scotland. This would end the need for women, in this difficult position, to have to travel to England to receive services.

Conference further affirms that women should be able to feel secure that their current abortion rights will be retained and improved in an independent Scotland, and as such, calls upon the Scottish Parliament to establish an expert review of existing legislation.

CRAIGENTINNY/DUDDINGSTON BRANCH, EDINBURGH EASTERN CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION, GILMERTON BRANCH, PORTOBELLO/CRAIGMILLAR BRANCH, PRESTON, SETON, GOSFORTH AND FA’SIDE BRANCH, LEITH WALK BRANCH, GLASGOW PROVAN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, RUTHERGLEN & CAMBUSLANG BRANCH, WEST DUMFRIES BRANCH, RENFREW & GALLOWHILL BRANCH, GLASGOW SHETTLESTON CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, OUT FOR INDEPENDENCE, GAVIN NEWLANDS MP, RONA MACKAY MSP, CLLR ALISTAIR FULTON, CLLR LISA-MARIE HUGHES, CLLR DEBBI MCCALL, CLLR ADAM MCVEY, CLLR IAN GALLAGHER, CLLR GRAHAM CAMPBELL (BAME CONVENER), EASTWOOD CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, ABERDEEN CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, EDINBURGH CENTRAL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

10 A REAL LIVING PENSION

Conference applauds the prior decision by this body to investigate at least equalising the State Pension in an Independent Scotland with the OECD average of 62.9% of wages at retirement.

Conference recognises that in the intervening time much has happened, not least a cost of living crisis, rampant inflation, and a Tory UK Government that has reneged on the promise of a Triple Lock on Pensions they were elected on.

Conference welcomes the research published by PLSA on Retirement Living Standards which suggested that in 2021 the minimum level the UK State Pension needed to be was £209pw. It has long been the case that the UK government does not value the contributions to society that were made by retired workers nor considers it their duty to ensure those that have done their bit can enjoy their retirement in comfort and dignity.

Conference resolves that upon independence the Scottish State Pension shall be a Real Living Pension that ensures that, until we can do the work to bring our State Pension up to the levels of other equivalent advanced economies in the EU, our pensioners will at least by able to live in dignity and have the security of knowing that their living standards are protected.

Conference further resolves that such a Real Living Pension will begin at the equivalent of no less than £220pw in 2021 Pounds Sterling and will be adjusted quarterly to account for increases in the real cost of living for those in receipt of it.

Conference extends its eternal gratitude to the current generation of retirees that worked all their lives to create the world the rest of us now enjoy and makes a solemn commitment to giving them their due and the respect they deserve.

WEST FIFE & COASTAL VILLAGES BRANCH

Agenda Sunday 9 October

Session 3

10h30 Scotland’s Future: Independence

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

Michael Russell, SNP President and Political Director of the SNP Independence Unit

10h45 Resolutions

12h00 Fraternal Address by Plaid Cymru

12h15 Close

11 HOMES FOR THE HOMELESS

Conference welcomes SNP policy initiatives to tackle homelessness with short term emergency accommodation and rapid rehousing approach to increase housing choices for those facing (or experiencing) homelessness. Conference also commends the work of charities such as Shelter Scotland, Cyrenians, Social Bite and others, working with Councils’ Housing Departments to tackle homelessness.

Conference notes homeless statistics from Scottish Government indicating that in 2020-21 70% of households were single person households, and that single person accommodation is in limited supply in Scotland.

Conference believes everyone in Scotland has a right to a comfortable, safe and affordable home, and encourages Scottish Government to explore options such as conversion of suitable premises in town centres to create safe and supported accommodation for single people, and the eco village created by Social Bite with support from Cyrenians in Edinburgh.

STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH, GRANTOWN & DISTRICT BRANCH, BEARSDEN SOUTH BRANCH, UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, CLLR IAN GALLAGHER, ANGUS NORTH & MEARNS CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION, AVONDALE BRANCH

12 TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

Conference notes the importance of the transition to renewable energy in mitigating the effects of climate change. While Scotland is a world leader in utilising wind energy, Conference believes that greater investment is needed in solar energy and storage to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to regenerate electricity.

Conference therefore resolves that all publicly funded buildings should be surveyed to ascertain their suitability for the deployment of rooftop solar installations.

All new public buildings should be designed to ensure that rooftop solar — and where appropriate, storage — can be incorporated into the new infrastructure.

The avoided CO2 emissions and other GHGs from this renewable source and the mediumterm savings on public fuel bills through the supply of electricity to the grid would enable Councils to fulfil their environmental and fiscal commitments.

Furthermore, Conferences resolves that all new retail parks should only include buildings with a load-bearing capacity capable of safely carrying solar installations.

These small changes to planning laws would invigorate demand for training and services in the structural and electrical engineering sectors, safety certification, and ongoing work in the operations and maintenance of solar installations which usually have an operational lifetime of over 25 years. Our young people could be part of a generation growing up with access to quality jobs with transferable skills and a sense of purpose in shaping their future.

WEST DUMFRIES BRANCH, GRANTOWN & DISTRICT BRANCH, BEARSDEN SOUTH BRANCH, UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH, CLLR IAN GALLAGHER, LEITH WALK BRANCH, ANGUS NORTH & MEARNS CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION, AVONDALE BRANCH, WEST DUMFRIES BRANCH, NEWTON STEWART BRANCH, DUMFRIES EAST BRANCH

AMENDMENT

In Paragraph 2 Delete: “should” and Insert: “must”

In Paragraph 3 Delete: “should” and insert: “must”

In Paragraph 4 Delete: “GHGs” and insert: “greenhouse gasses”

DUMFRIES EAST BRANCH

Agenda Sunday 9 October

13 DOMESTIC ENERGY SAVINGS

Conference notes and supports the Scottish Government declaration of a climate emergency and is supportive of all the initiatives underway to ensure Scotland meets the targets established for reductions of CO2 and other pollutants. Conference further notes that there are some ‘quick hits’ that could make a contribution in the domestic energy sphere that could be achieved by changes in building control regulations and / or straightforward secondary legislation.

Conference calls on the Scottish Government to make these changes mandatory for new construction or major refurbishments and to introduce substantial encouragements, including financial, for existing properties, including tenements.

In summary, these ‘quick hits’ are:

1. Solar PV panels on every available roof space

2. Pressurised water systems

3. Under-floor heating and a ban on any future radiator installations

4. Triple glazing

5. Modification to the Tenements Act 2004 to give factors the ability to install energy efficiency measures in tenement properties if a majority of proprietors are supportive; and the ability to collect the appropriate financial contribution from all proprietors including any minority who may have opposed the installation.

GLASGOW KELVIN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, KAUKAB STEWART MSP, BEARSDEN NORTH BRANCH

AMENDMENT A

Replace “Solar PV panels on every available roof space.” with: “Solar PV panels on every available roof space, with associated domestic battery storage to maximise use of all available power.”

GLASGOW KELVIN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

AMENDMENT B

Add at the end of the first paragraph “Additionally, Conference notes that Scotland is home to nearly 50,000 listed buildings, 93% of which are Category B & C.”

Add as an additional item to the list, “Re-examine the use of the Listed Building Consent requirement with regard to sympathetic like-for-like double glazing for Category B (50%) & C (43%) properties, and un-listed properties in a designated conservation area.”

ELGIN BRANCH

AMENDMENT C

Insert as the first item on the list “Ensuring properties are insulated as closely as possible to Passivhaus+, or equivalent, standard as is cost-effective before any other energy saving or generation measure is undertaken.”

WEST FIFE & COASTAL VILLAGES BRANCH

14 CARBON CAPTURE UTILISATION AND STORAGE (CCUS)

Conference recognises the existential threat from the climate and ecological emergency has a complex of interrelated causes. One of the most harmful is the release of CO2 from the fossil fuel industry. Therefore, initiatives are underway globally to sequester CO2, including CCUS.

Conference has grave concerns about the efficacy and cost of CCUS, a technology which still has not been proven at scale. Substantial progress in energy sector decarbonisation is required by 2030. However, significant levels of CCUS capacity are not expected until 2030 at the earliest. CCUS may be too expensive and by the time it is operational, it might be too late.

Extensive research has shown that until our energy system has been substantially decarbonised, CCUS processes will emit more CO2 than they sequester. These processes are therefore currently net contributors to carbon emissions. Additionally, the role of CCUS will diminish with the faster deployment and development of renewable energy and other technologies to reduce emissions from industrial processes.

Conference values genuine, evidence based, well-judged policies that ensure human and planetary wellbeing and believes that the accelerated use of renewables and biological carbon sequestration is a far better alternative to CCUS.

Conference proposes that it should be party policy that CCUS should only be considered as part of a carbon sequestration package after a full scale, independent study has been undertaken into the efficacy, value for money, environmental and climate impact of CCUS which considers the transition to renewables and other carbon sequestering initiatives such as tree planting, peat bog restoration and aquatic solutions.

WEST FIFE & COASTAL VILLAGES BRANCH, GRANTOWN & DISTRICT BRANCH, BEARSDEN SOUTH BRANCH, UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH, CLLR IAN GALLAGHER, AVONDALE BRANCH

Agenda Sunday 9 October

Session 4

14h00 Address by John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister

Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery

14h15 Resolutions

15h00 Topical and Emergency Resolutions

15h25 President’s Prize

15h30 Close

15 INDEPENDENCE PRINCIPLES - BUILDING OUR CIVIC MOVEMENT

Conference supports work being undertaken to establish a new civic independence campaign organisation incorporating progressive political parties and pro-independence organisations; and agrees that any stakeholder or organisation involved must adhere to a code of conduct built on the principles of freedom, tolerance, equality, the protection of individual and community rights and the rejection of prejudice and discrimination in any form.

Conference therefore supports the adoption of a code of conduct such as that produced by a range of bodies including the Aberdeen Independence Movement and a similar code drafted by Believe in Scotland and would wish to see all organisations involved in the YES campaign - including the SNPadhering to such a code of conduct in all of our campaigning for independence.

MICHAEL RUSSELL (PRESIDENT), KAREN ADAM MSP, PORTSOY BRANCH, ALYN SMITH MP, HANNAH BARDELL MP, PETE WISHART MP, GRAEME DEY MSP, TONY GIUGLIANO (POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONVENER), CLLR GRAHAM CAMPBELL (BAME CONVENER), CLLR SIOBHAN TOLLAND (NEC REGIONAL MEMBER)

16 LOCAL GOVERNMENT BALLOT PAPER ORDERING

Conference notes that across the four local authority elections since the introduction of STV in 2007 that when any party nominates two candidates in a ward, and only one of those candidates is elected, it is more than five times more likely that the candidate elected will be the higher placed one on the ballot paper. Conference further notes that the positional advantage has not diminished as voters and parties get to know the electoral system.

Conference recalls that 81% of respondents to the Scottish Government’s 2018 Consultation on Electoral Reform supported changing the way candidate names are listed on local election ballot papers to counteract the list order effect. Conference regrets that opportunities to introduce individual ballot paper randomisation, or to reverse the order on every second ballot paper, have not been implemented.

Conference therefore calls on the Scottish Government to revisit the question of ballot paper ordering and to legislate to ensure that the list order effect is substantially reduced at the next local authority elections, with appropriate accessibility mechanisms in place, including the availability of an alphabetic ballot paper should a disabled voter require it.

DUNDEE CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

17 HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PACKAGE

Conference notes that those residing in the Highlands and Islands face excessive travel costs due to lack of effective infrastructure. Conference further notes this issue is exacerbated further by poor connectivity in terms of both broadband and mobile phone coverage despite being more than a third of the total land area of Scotland.

Conference adds that other Nordic nations face similar challenges for their rural and island communities and have taken innovative measures to address the challenges such as undersea tunnels, regional broadband agreements as well as expanding transport infrastructure.

Conference praises the work of the European Union in redressing regional inequalities via structural funds for members. Conference expresses frustration that despite the needs of Highland and Island communities, the UK’s levelling-up fund falls far short of the support previously received by the EU.

Conference resolves to support the needs of the Highlands and Islands communities through the creation of a Highlands and Islands Infrastructure Investment Package focused on improving connectivity and ease of travel throughout the region.

LONDON BRANCH

Agenda Sunday 13 October9 October

Session 5 – Internal

18 AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION – NATIONAL COUNCIL

In Paragraph 4.1(h) after “National Conference” insert “, National Council”.

In Paragraphs 5.3, 7.4, 19.1(f), 21.1(d), 35.1, 35.3, 36.1, 36.3, 38.3, 29.1, 40.3, 43.2 and 43.5 (in both places where it occurs) after “National Conference” insert “or National Council”.

In Paragraph 11.5 after “National Conference,” insert “National Council,”

Replace Paragraph 19.1(a) with “meets at least two times a year”.

In Paragraph 20.5 delete “on at least one other occasion a year”.

After Paragraph 20 insert—

21 National Council

21.1 National Council is the governing and policy-making body of the Party between meetings of National Conference.

21.2 National Council is composed of—

(a) eight delegates from each Constituency Branch;

(b) two delegates from other Branches;

(c) two delegates from each Constituency Association;

(d) the National Office Bearers;

(e) the regional members of the National Executive Committee; (f) the members of the Policy Development Committee;

(g) the members of the Conferences Committee;

(h) all parliamentarians who are members of a parliamentary group;

(i) all councillors who are members of a Council Group; (j) six delegates from each Affiliated Organisation.

21.3 Branches, Constituency Associations and Affiliated Organisations are expected to gender balance their delegates to National Council.

21.4 National Council meets at least three times a year.

21.5 The quorum for National Council is 150 delegates.

In Paragraph 22.1, 22.1(a), 22.1(e), 31.1(b), 31.1(c) and 31.1(l) after “National Conference” insert “and National Council”.

In Paragraph 29(b) after “National Executive Committee” insert “, National Council”.

In Paragraph 31.1 after “is” insert “the governing and policy-making body of the Party between meetings of National Conference and National Council and is, in particular,”

And renumber and reletter all paragraphs accordingly.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

AMENDMENT

Delete the fourth and fifth paragraphs.

Replace the amendment to Paragraph 21.2 of the constitution with—

(a) two delegates from each Branch;

(b) two delegates from each Constituency Association;

(c) the National Office Bearers;

(d) the ordinary members of the National Executive Committee who are parliamentarians;

(e) the regional members of the National Executive Committee;

(f) the members of the Policy Development Committee;

(g) the members of the Conferences Committee;

(h) five members of the Scottish Parliament elected by the Scottish Parliament Group;

(i) two members of the UK Parliament elected by the UK Parliament Group;

(j) six councillors elected by the Association of Nationalist Councillors; (k) six delegates from each Affiliated Organisation.

In the amendment to Paragraph 21.4 of the constitution, replace “three times” with “twice”.

WEST FIFE & COASTAL VILLAGES BRANCH

Agenda Sunday 13 October9 October

19 DISINFORMATION AND THE 2023 INDEPENDENCE CAMPAIGN

Conference notes that disinformation has emerged as a critical issue in global politics over the last decade, with concerns about increased interference in the public sphere by undemocratic and bad-faith actors.

Conference further notes that with the announcement of a new independence referendum campaign, it is essential that we work to uphold the legitimacy of our democratic institutions, including the capacity for open and reasoned debate, and to prevent interference from undemocratic forces at this critical juncture in our history.

Conference believes our members have a crucial role to play in preventing the deliberate spread of disinformation in public debate.

Conference acknowledges that disinformation is a complex problem that requires more than one approach to address. Conference therefore resolves to develop and implement information resilience training to be made available to all members.

Conference therefore expects members of the Scottish National Party not to knowingly redistribute disinformation on matters of public import in digital, print or media form.

Disinformation is defined here as deliberately misleading, biased or altogether false information, knowingly shared to distort and manipulate public debate and/or to discredit democratic institutions and processes.

For misleading, biased or false information to be classified as disinformation, the false material disseminated has to be spread with deliberate intent to deceive. Unintentional spread of false information, satire, and subjective opinion are therefore not considered disinformation and are not subject to disciplinary action under this clause.

Examples of disinformation include, but are not limited to:

• deep fakes, falsified photos, counterfeit websites,

• shortened citations that exclude vital context,

• faulty statistics,

• conspiracy theories.

20 AMENDMENT TO RULES ON CONDUCT AND PROCEDURE OF NATIONAL CONFERENCE - POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Conference believes that members make policy – and that all resolutions must secure the support of at least one Branch or other “group notifiable body” as defined by the Rules on Conduct and Procedure of National Conference.

Conference further believes that the directly elected Policy Development Committee should be able to formally submit resolutions as per other ‘group notifiable bodies’.

In the Rules on Conduct and Procedure of National Conference

Replace 2.2 with

2.2

(i) Branches, Constituency Associations, Affiliated Organisations, Members’ Interest Groups, SNP Parliamentary Groups, SNP Council Groups, the National Executive Committee, and the Policy Development Committee shall be deemed to be ‘group notifiable bodies’.

(ii) National Office Bearers, Members of the National Executive Committee, Members of the Policy Development Committee, Parliamentarians, and Councillors shall be deemed to be ‘individual notifiable bodies’.

Replace 3.1 with 3.1 Resolutions, amendments and nominations for National Conference may be proposed by ‘group notifiable bodies’. Resolutions and amendments proposed by a ‘group notifiable body’ may also be supported by ‘individual notifiable bodies’. All resolutions and amendments must be proposed by at least one ‘group notifiable body’.

In 3.3 replace 3.1 with 2.2

KIRSTEEN FRASER (EQUALITIES CONVENER), TONI GIUGLIANO (POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONVENER)

Agenda Sunday 9 October

21 ELECTION CAMPAIGN TOOLS FOR BRANCHES

Conference notes the successful outcomes for the SNP of the campaigns for the Holyrood and local government elections in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Conference believes however that the campaigning tools available to Branches and activists are at risk of becoming out of date and that action is needed to invest in and update our campaigning infrastructure in order to prepare for a successful independence referendum.

Conference understands that the adoption and roll-out of Activate as our core campaigning tool has contributed to making the SNP the most successful political party in Europe, but notes however that in the almost two decades since then, the election battleground has changed significantly; social media and the availability of powerful personal technology such as smartphones have transformed political communications; and our political opponents have invested heavily in their own voter ID and communications tools.

Conference believes that in order to ensure we win the next independence referendum, the party needs to review and refresh core aspects of our campaigning infrastructure, including:

• how we understand the political battleground, and how we segment voters to deliver compelling messages that address each group directly

• how we integrate the “air war” on social and traditional media with the “ground war” of campaigning

• how we do our GOTV and differential turnout work on polling day

• how we make proper use of smartphones, QR codes and other technological innovations

Conference therefore instructs NEC to order an urgent and comprehensive review of the SNP’s campaigning infrastructure and to identify and commit the necessary resources required to ensure that our activists have the most effective modern campaigning tools at their disposal as we work to win Scotland’s independence in the forthcoming referendum.

GLASGOW CATHCART CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

22 IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER

Conference notes that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Scotland went online and used Social Media to stay in touch with our friends and family. In 2021 the people of Scotland voted in the Scottish Parliament elections. It was impossible to run a traditional campaign due to Covid.

Instead, Social Media played a huge role in getting information out about our candidates and in the record breaking victory the SNP had in those elections.

Conference encourages all Branches to adopt an optional role of Social Media Officer, to be added to the Branch office bearers positions elected at every AGM. It is important to keep active on Social Media platforms. Headquarters shall enable access to the membership list and the email system on MySNP for such officers if Branches choose to appoint them.

The Social Media Officer can engage with the members directly to involve them in Social Media activities. The party shall develop a social media policy and training programme for Social Media Officers to ensure they are adequately equipped to make the best use of Social Media to promote the Party’s aims.

PENTLANDS WEST BRANCH, LONDON BRANCH, FALKIRK SOUTH BRANCH, PETERHEAD BRANCH, EAST KILBRIDE CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, UDDINGSTON AND BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, EASTWOOD CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

23 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY FOR INDEPENDENCE

Now that the First Minister has publicly declared her intention to conduct a second Independence Referendum during 2023, Conference urges the Party Centre to produce informative, inspiring and timely information to Branches to enable activists to engage the public in informed pro-independence conversations.

Conference acknowledges and applauds the many informed individuals that can effectively communicate the case for independence but recognises that all activists should be equally informed and enabled to present the case for independence as one voice across the whole of Scotland.

Conference calls for the Party Centre to ensure Branches are provided with the latest policies, initiatives and materials to present a convincing case in the build up to the 2023 referendum on Scottish Independence.

BRECHIN BRANCH, STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH, ANGUS NORTH & MEARNS CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION

Agenda Monday 10 October

Session 6

10h30 Delivering in Government Panel Session

Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

10h55

12h15 Close

24 RAISING THE FORMAL SCHOOL-START AGE

Conference recognises the body of international evidence in favour of play-based early years education. Active, social play is children’s natural learning drive and helps develop physical fitness, social skills, cognitive capacities and personal qualities such as creativity, problemsolving, self-regulation and emotional resilience. Conference notes that children in European countries who attend play-based kindergarten till six or seven enjoy higher levels of health and wellbeing.

Conference further notes that Scotland and the UK are outliers in Europe in starting formal education at four or five, and acknowledges that since international PISA comparisons began, countries with later school starting ages have performed better than those with earlier starts. On the other hand, an early start to formal education is linked to the development of social, emotional and mental health problems.

Conference expresses concern at the rise in mental health problems in children in Scotland over the past decade, and acknowledges the views of parents, teachers, early years experts, health professionals and campaign groups like Upstart Scotland, who believe that children under six should not face the pressures and structures of the formal school system. In order to succeed in closing the attainment gap, early years education must be based on relationshipcentred, child-led, play-based environments with a greater focus on outdoor learning.

Conference therefore calls on the Scottish Government to introduce a statutory play-based kindergarten stage for three to six year olds – similar to early years education in Nordic countries – and raise the formal school starting age to six. This will provide a true level playing field for all of Scotland’s children, giving every child time to develop the skills and capacities that underpin educational success, improve long-term outcomes and give every child the best start in life.

TONI GIUGLIANO (POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONVENER), UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, GILMERTON BRANCH, STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH

AMENDMENT

Add at end: “Conference notes that some of the most successful nations in educational league tables do not start formal schooling until seven and therefore resolves that the Scottish Government should keep the option of subsequently transitioning to a starting age of seven if the evidence gathered in introducing a starting age of six warrants such a further change.”

WEST FIFE & COASTAL VILLAGES BRANCH

25 FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Conference commends the Scottish Government on its renewed commitment to expanding the provision of universal Free School Meals, with all children in Primary 1 – 5 now benefitting from this policy and coverage due to be extended to Primary 6 – 7. Conference further welcomes the leadership shown by some Councils in promoting initiatives such as school breakfast clubs, and reaffirms the SNP’s commitment to roll out free school breakfasts all year round to primary pupils.

Conference calls on the Scottish Government to work closely with Councils in delivering these transformative policy commitments as quickly as practicably possible, and to ensure that local authorities are fully funded to do so.

Conference further recalls the SNP’s 2022 local government manifesto, which affirmed that all SNP councillors will have helping people with the cost of living as their top priority over the course of this council term. Council notes that existing Free School Meal provision can save families £400 per child per year and considers further extending free school meals to be a vital opportunity to help households with the rising cost of living.

Conference therefore requests that the Scottish Government develop plans to extend the planned increase in universal Free School Meal and free breakfast provision to all secondary school pupils, in addition to primary pupils, and that it engage with Cosla and local authorities with a view to delivering on this aspiration.

DUNDEE CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

Agenda Monday 10 October

26 TAX AND THE LIVING WAGE

Conference believes that the Tax system should be fair to all and that;

No one should pay until they can afford to and all who can afford to should pay a fair share.

Conference recognises the current challenges facing Scottish families particularly those on low incomes and believes that the time has come to make substantial changes to Income Tax in Scotland.

Conference believes that the burden of the cost of living crisis is falling most heavily on those least able to bear it and that it is the right that those least able to cope receive support.

Therefore, Conference agrees that the Party adopts a policy of introducing a nominal tax rate between the current UK Tax threshold and the equivalent of Full Timer earnings on the Living Wage, effectively lifting those below this level out of Income Tax. In addition the Tax Threshold in subsequent years should continue to rise in line with changes to the Living Wage.

Furthermore, Conference resolves that the starting point for all Tax Bands should also rise in line with changes to the Living wage to address Fiscal Drag, to maintain the fairness of the system.

Conference accepts that a Revenue Neutral approach means that if fewer pay Income Tax then Tax Rates for those earning above the new Threshold will rise but this can be done fairly, while insuring that Income Tax is reduced for the majority of Scots.

The details of how this is achieved should be at the discretion of Scottish Ministers and shall not restrict their ability to make other, non-revenue neutral, adjustments to the tax code as they see fit.

Conference believes that the current cost of living crisis is causing real and immediate harm to the vulnerable in Scotland and that we should wait no longer to use the powers available to us to protect them.

& DISTRICT BRANCH

27 PAID MENSTRUAL LEAVE

Conference notes that currently there is no legislation which allows individuals to take time off work due to period pain. This is despite significant evidence of conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis which can leave sufferers in severe pain, which makes it difficult - if not impossible - to work, care or socialise with others.

Conference notes the success of the Scottish Government in being the first government to introduce free period products for all and resolves to support other measures which support women in the workplace.

Conference believes that individuals should not be penalised for situations beyond their control and help should be provided to those suffering from extreme pain.

Conference notes with interest proposals by the Spanish Government to introduce paid menstrual leave as part of a wider package of reproductive results. Conference adds that such a policy has already been implemented in countries including Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea and Zambia.

Conference therefore resolves to adopt a similar policy of paid menstrual leave in an independent Scotland for those experiencing severe period pain.

LONDON BRANCH

AMENDMENT

Replace “leave sufferers in severe pain, which makes” in the first paragraph with “cause sufferers extreme pain and other extreme symptoms, which make it”.

Insert at the end of the third paragraph “and other debilitating symptoms.”

Replace the final word of the final paragraph with “symptoms”.

WEST FIFE & COASTAL VILLAGES BRANCH

Agenda Monday 10 October

28 NEONATAL CARE (LEAVE AND PAY) BILL

Conference notes that thousands of parents of premature and sick babies are currently forced to choose between going to work or being with their baby in hospital, and that with only two weeks of paternity leave available, many fathers and non-birthing parents return to work long before their babies are well enough to go home.

Conference further recognises the inflexibility of UK Parental Leave Laws, which is exacerbated when a baby requires neonatal care.

Conference therefore welcomes the introduction of the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Bill at Westminster, which would ensure all parents of premature and sick babies are entitled to additional paid maternity and paternity leave while their babies are in neonatal care, and which would benefit thousands of families each year.

Conference further notes that the Scottish Government could build upon present statutory protections, as part of a suite of parental leave provision in an independent Scotland.

BEARSDEN SOUTH BRANCH, CLLR IAN GALLAGHER, RONA MACKAY MSP, CLLR LYNDA WILLIAMSON, CLLR GILLIAN RENWICK, CLLR MALCOLM MITCHELL, CLLR COLM MERRICK, CLLR JORDAN LINDEN, CLLR MICHELLE CAMPBELL, YOUNG SCOTS FOR INDEPENDENCE

Session 7

14h00 Resolutions

14h55 Topical and Emergency Resolutions

15h15 Address by Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Party Leader and First Minister of Scotland

16h00 Close

29 END PENSIONER POVERTY

Conference condemns the Westminster benefits system which fails to ensure those who qualify for pension credit actually receive it leaving so many Scottish older people destitute.

Conference recognises that many older people in Scotland who are eligible to claim Pension Credit are failing to do.

New figures released by the UK Government (Feb 2022) show that at least 120,000 older people in Scotland who were entitled to receive Pension Credit didn’t claim it in the financial year 2019 to 2020.

An estimated 1 in 4 pensioners in Scotland who qualify for Pension Credit don’t claim this benefit aimed at boosting weekly incomes.

Women, part time and low paid workers are particularly vulnerable to poverty after retirement.

Conference recognises that many older people are too proud to claim this benefit and that many who are entitled to this benefit don’t know about it or know how to claim it.

Conference believes that all older people are entitled to dignity in later life.

Conference therefore calls for an Independent Scotland to have a welfare system which ensures all older people have an adequate basic income by right which does not require them to make complex and confusing additional claims.

Agenda Monday 10 October

In the meantime, Conference further calls on the UK government to agree that given the extraordinary circumstances of the time we are living through, the £650 Cost of Living Payment awarded to those in receipt of Passport Benefits including Pension Credit - as of 25 May 2022 - should be used as an incentive to apply for PC and urges the UK government to extend the eligibility date to 31 March 2023 so that all those who successfully apply for PC by that date will also receive the £650 grant. Conference believes this will not only target those most in need but will also ensure a significant increase in the number of people applying.

WEST DUMFRIES BRANCH, BEARSDEN SOUTH BRANCH, GRANTOWN & DISTRICT BRANCH, UDDINGSTON & BELLSHILL CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, EASTWOOD CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, STONEHAVEN & MEARNS BRANCH, CLLR IAN GALLAGHER, AVONDALE BRANCH, GLASGOW PROVAN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, ANNE MCLAUGHLIN MP, CLLR GRAHAM CAMPBELL (BAME CONVENER), GALLOWAY AND WEST DUMFRIES CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION

30 PROTECTING ENERGY USERS ON PRE-PAYMENT METERS

Conference calls on all energy companies to agree that nobody will be disconnected from their energy supply for being in arrears, and insists that this includes those on pre payment meters who are considered to be self-disconnecting if they cannot feed the meter.

Conference notes that a significant proportion of the money paid by users into prepayment meters is for Standing Charges and that the cost per KWH is already higher than for other consumers.

Conference demands that whatever the logistics, solutions are found that do not include anyone on these islands being cut off from their supply because of financial hardship, and calls on governments to play their part in ensuring this happens while asserting that in an energy rich Independent Scotland nobody will have to choose between eating and heating.

GLASGOW PROVAN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, ANNE MCLAUGHLIN MP, CLLR GRAHAM CAMPBELL (BAME CONVENER)

31 LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Conference welcomes the strong electoral performance of the Scottish National Party in the recent local election and notes that this is the best result which the party has ever had at a local election.

Conference acknowledges the important role which local government plays in the delivery of services and local decision making which affect the daily lives of our citizens and their communities.

Conference believes that the structures which support local government must be constantly reviewed to ensure they meet the changing needs and demands of local communities and ensure that every voice is heard.

Conference also believes that local government and local representatives should have the same status as their colleagues in national government and that a change in political culture is required to achieve this.

Conference therefore calls on the Scottish Government to convene a new steering group, tasked with bringing forward proposals for local government reform, with an emphasis on the following areas:

• Local democracy

• The de-centralisation of powers

• Local government funding

• Support and remuneration for local representatives

GLASGOW KELVIN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, BEARSDEN NORTH BRANCH

Exhibitors

01 02

SNP Headquarters Desk

The SNP Headquarters desk, situated in the main concourse of The Event Complex Aberdeen, is your point of contact for all general information and enquiries.

Website: www.snp.org

Email: member.care@snp.org

03 04

SNP Store

Exhibitors 08-10 October Community Windpower

Independence

Independence Magazine

Visit our Stand in the Exhibition Hall. Say hello or join up on the spot. We’re the Party’s own magazine and have raised thousands of pounds for the cause to date. One direct debit is all it takes to have INDEPENDENCE posted direct to your home every eight weeks. Join now!

Twitter: @independencemag

Email: indymag@saltiregraphics.scot

The SNP Store offers official SNP merchandise.

Website: www.snpstore.org

Passionate supporters of the Scottish Government’s Net Zero carbon target, by developing a portfolio of 1.5GW of wind and hydrogen projects in Scotland. Our wind farms are at the heart of communities and have delivered £6.5m of funding since 2005. Always committed to the Scottish supply chain and are planning to invest over £2bn in Scotland PLC by 2026.

Website: www.communitywindpower.co.uk

Email: info@communitywindpower.co.uk

05

Scottish Renewables

Scottish Renewables is the voice of Scotland’s renewable energy industry.

Our vision is for Scotland leading the world in renewable energy. We work to grow Scotland’s renewable energy sector.

Website: www.scottishrenewables.com

06

0807

REVIVE: the coalition for grouse moor reform

REVIVE is a unique coalition of likeminded organisations working for grouse moor reform in Scotland.

Email: max@revive.scot

Twitter: @ReviveCoalition

Website: www.revive.scot

Scots Independent (Newspapers) Ltd

We were the first newspaper that supported the SNP. Why not visit our website at www.scotsindependent.scot which is updated weekly and where you can subscribe to the paper.

Come and see us at our stall including new stock of Scottish books, soaps and flags.

NCD Alliance Scotland

NCD Alliance Scotland is a coalition of health organisations who are working together to reduce the health burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through action on alcohol, tobacco and high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products.

Email: mccolgand@bhf.org.uk

Website: www.bhf.org.uk

Exhibitors 08-10 October

1009

HM Government of Gibraltar

His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar is once again delighted to be in Scotland and to share the experiences of both our countries to build on our strong ties. Our reception will be held in Conference Suite 1A, between 6pm - 7pm on Sunday 9th October. Invitation only, Refreshments provided. Website: www.gibraltar.gov.gi

WWF Scotland WWF Scotland is dedicated to finding solutions to a broad range of environmental problems. Climate change, threats to nature and rising energy use all impact on people and wildlife. We work on these issues by providing solutions, influencing policy and gaining public support.

Email: Scotland@wwf.org.uk Twitter: @WWFScotland Website: wwfscotland.org.uk

11 12

Scottish Police Federation

The Scottish Police Federation is the staff association that represents over 99% of the police officers in Scotland; currently over 16,500 members. With a remit for both the welfare of our members and efficiency of the service we are the only statutory consultative body for the police service in Scotland.

Website: www.spf.org.uk Twitter: @scotspolfed

The Educational Institute of Scotland

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) is Scotland’s largest teaching trade union with over 60,000 members employed in nursery, primary, special, secondary, further and higher education. The EIS represents over 80% of all teachers and lecturers in Scotland and campaigns to protect and improve their pay and conditions of service as well as seeking to promote “sound learning” across all sectors.

13

UNISON Scotland

UNISON is Scotland’s public services union. We represent workers in local government, health, emergency services, education, utilities and NDPBs. This includes members in community and voluntary and private sectors.

Centre for Homlessness Impact

The Centre for Homelessness Impact’s goal is to create a society where any experience of homelessness is prevented and, where it cannot be, is instead rare, brief and non-recurring. Visit us to learn more about our work across the country.

Email: Hello@homelessnessimpact.org Twitter: @homelessimpact Website: www.homelessnessimpact.org

16

The Scottish Cluster

The Scottish Cluster, anchored by the Acorn Project, is critical to decarbonising Scottish industry and helping Scotland and the UK reach net zero. The Cluster will enable businesses, workforces, and communities to sustainably transition to a cleaner, more prosperous, future.

Twitter: @ScottishCluster Website: www.thescottishcluster.co.uk

BBC

2022 is the BBC’s centenary – 100 years of educating, informing and entertaining. Visit the world’s leading public service broadcaster’s stand to hear about the value it delivers, vote for your favourite programme and learn more about our content and services.

Website: www.bbc.co.uk

Exhibitors 08-10 October

DRAX

Drax Group is a renewable energy company engaged in renewable power generation and the UK’s largest source of renewable electricity. Drax operates a portfolio of sustainable biomass, hydro-electric and pumped hydro storage assets across four sites in England and Scotland.

Twitter: @DraxGroup Website: www.drax.com

20

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is an independent UK wide charity. Our mission is to lead the way in coalfields regeneration. We are the only organisation dedicated solely to the regeneration of coalfield communities in Scotland.

Twitter: @CRTScotland Website: www.coalfields-regen.org.uk

Advice Direct Scotland

Scotland’s national advice service - we provide free, practical, and impartial advice to anyone in Scotland on a range of issues including debt, energy bills and consumer rights. We partner with the Scottish Government to administer support funds and engage with more than 700,000 people every year.

Website: www.advice.scot

Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs is here to help the two million people living with sight loss in the UK live the lives they choose. Our expert staff, volunteers and life-changing dogs are here to help people affected by sight loss live actively, independently and well.

Website: www.GuideDogs.org.uk

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans

Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland

Veterans are Scotland’s largest visual impairment organisations. We have been dedicated to meeting the challenges of visual impairment for over 225 years. Together, our charities are determined that no one should face sight loss alone.

Email: hello@sightscotland.org.uk Twitter: @SightScotland, @SightScotVets Websites: www.sightscotland.org.uk, www.sightscotland.org.uk/veterans

StepChange Debt Charity Scotland

StepChange Debt Charity provides free and impartial online and telephone advice to people experiencing problem debt across the UK. Our Glasgow-based advice team supports clients across Scotland and campaigns for change to reduce the harm and stigma associated with debt.

Twitter: @StepChange Website: www.stepchange.org/scotland

Electrical Safety First

Electrical Safety First is the charity committed to reducing the number of deaths, injuries and fires caused by electricity in the home. We campaign on behalf of consumers to improve electrical safety regulation and ensure that safety messages are appropriate, up-to-date and well communicated.

E: Karter.kane@electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

W: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/

British Heart Foundation Scotland

BHF Scotland is the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in Scotland. We currently fund research worth over £53 million with the aim of improving the lives of the 700,000 people living with heart and circulatory diseases in Scotland.

Email: rodenj@bhf.org.uk

Twitter: @BHFScotland

Website: www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/ in-your-area/scotland

25

Exhibitors 08-10 October

League Against Cruel Sports

The League Against Cruel Sports is Britain’s leading charity that works to stop animals being abused and killed for sport. The League carries out investigations to expose law-breaking and cruelty to animals and campaigns for stronger animal protection laws and penalties. Find out more about our work at www.league.org.uk.

Dignity in Dying

Dignity in Dying Scotland campaigns for assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults. We are proud to support Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

E: scotland.campaigns@dignityindying. org.uk

W: www.dignityindyingscotland.org.uk

Moray SNP

Moray SNP Malt Whisky & Gin Stall brings you the opportunity to become the proud owner of some of the Moray Speyside’s fantastic Malt Whisky and Gin. Our products travel well throughout the world with a reputation second to none.

Website: www.moraysnp.org Twitter: @MoraySNP

Facebook: fb.com/MoraySNP

SNP CND

SNP CND is a group for SNP members who are also members of Scottish CND. We work to achieve a nuclear weaponfree, independent Scotland. We believe that only through independence will we be able to get rid of the abomination of nuclear weapons of mass destruction.

Website: snpcnd.scot

Engender

Engender is Scotland’s feminist policy and advocacy organisation, working to increase women’s equality, enable women’s rights, and make visible the impact of sexism on women and wider society. We work at Scottish, UK and international level to produce research, analysis, and recommendations for intersectional feminist legislation and programmes.

Email: info@engender.org.uk Twitter: @EngenderScot Website: www.engender.org.uk

SNP Friends of Palestine

Visit the SNP Friends of Palestine stand, which is supported by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Medical Aid for Palestinians. Come find out how you can get involved, and join the Palestine fringe meeting on Saturday at 4.30pm!

Upstart Scotland

Upstart Scotland is campaigning for a statutory play-based kindergarten stage for three-to seven-year-olds, thus giving all children the best chance of reaching their full educational potential, while also supporting their long-term health and well-being.

Email: info@upstart.scot Twitter: @UpstartScot Website: www.upstart.scot

Aberdeen Donside Host Committee

We are delighted to welcome delegates back to Aberdeen and the north east for the 88th Annual National Conference. Do visit our stall, we’ll be pleased see you.

Exhibitors 08-10 October

NASUWT – the teachers’ union, represents teachers and headteachers in all sectors in Scotland and throughout the UK. NASUWT has a philosophy of ‘putting teachers first’ and campaigns to improve teachers’ pay, reduce workload, achieve a better work/life balance for members and tackle pupil indiscipline, matters which are all part of our current Better Deal for Teachers campaign. Unrivalled legal and professional services are provided by a network of national, regional and local officers.

People’s Postcode Lottery

The People’s Postcode Lottery exists to raise money for good causes. To date, players have raised over £950 million for organisations across the country. Visit our stand to find out what players have funded in

constituency!

British Red Cross

From helping people home from hospital to responding to emergencies like Covid, storms and floods and being the largest independent provider of refugee support, we help people in crisis get the support they need in Scotland and around the world.

WOMEN

ATE

AGAINST

PENSION • INJUSTIC E

WASPI Scotland

WASPI Scotland is a campaign group closely associated with WASPI campaign 2018 & include other similar groups campaigning for 1950’s born women severely affected by state pension delays of up to 6 years. Currently our complaints are being investigated by PHSO hoping for recommendation of compensation for maladministration & injustice.

37

SNP BAME Members Network

SNP members from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, working towards promoting diversity and increasing BAME participation in politics.

Facebook.com/snpbame

Twitter: @SNPBAME

Email: snpbame@hotmail.com

Farm for Scotland’s Future

The Farm for Scotland’s Future campaign was launched by more than 20 environmental charities and farmers’ groups to make farming work for Scotland’s nature, climate and people.

Website: farmforscotlandsfuture.scot

SNP Disabled Members Group

The SNP’s Disabled Members Group campaign and promote policy and people to make a positive impact for disabled people in Scotland and around the world. #DMG4SNP

Visit the booth during conference to find out more.

Small Business Marketplace

The SNP want to make Scotland one of the best places in the world to do business. Brand new for 2022 is our Small Business Marketplace, kindly sponsored by the Bank of Scotland.

Our marketplace showcases a range of small businesses from across Scotland, make sure to stop by and shop local.

We are an ethical Scottish coffee company. We recently made headlines when Nicola Sturgeon bought our Whisky Cask Coffee “Nippy Sweety”. We’ll be launching the 7th batch of our barrel aged in beans and grounds at the SNP conference. Come and get a bag of the gaffer’s favourite. Free cuppa with every bag purchased. Stop by and have a chat while you enjoy the best coffee Scotland has to offer.

Come say hi at our stand in the exhibition hall and get your new favourite t-shirt. Hand printed in our workshop in Glasgow, we create a variety of designs inspired by Scotland and Scottish culture, using environmentally friendly ink and climate neutral t-shirts. (We also do commissions!)

Quirky Chocolate is all about creating and making inspiring products to celebrate Scotland. The Edinburgh based chocolatiers use their wrappers to showcase up and coming illustrators and specialise in making whisky and gin chocolates for distilleries. Their values are simple. To be inclusive and kind. Always. All products made with sustainably sourced Fairtrade cocoa and wrapped in plastic free packaging. (Saturday and Sunday)

An original cosmetics and skincare brand using natural and naturally derived active ingredients with a focus on quality, value for money and ethical ingredients, all handmade in Montrose.

Established in 2007 Wool for Ewe is a family owned, multi award winning, bricks and mortar wool shop. Specialising in all your knit and crochet needs, mother and daughter hope to inspire future generations with their passionate approach to wool crafts. (Sunday and Monday)

Lovely hand crafted knit and crochet accessories for you and your home, that people can use, reuse, gift and share with their loved ones

Joyfully juicy soft drinks and mixers. In favour of flavour, our drinks are naturally sweetened and contain nothing artificial. Sweet by Nature. (Saturday)

The West Highland Tea Company is a family run business founded in Mallaig. As we grow and expand, the West Highland Tea Company intends to showcase the wonderful variety of different teas whilst also being able to celebrate the Highlands of Scotland. This is why we create our very own Specialty Tea Blends. Our special teas are all hand-blended in Mallaig in order to give you unique products with great taste, made from high quality ingredients. (Saturday and Sunday)

The Bookhouse is a family-run, independent bookshop based in the heart of Broughty Ferry with a curated collection of books and collectables. (Sunday)

A blend of local water and 5-year-old Caribbean rums infused with wild botanicals and spices foraged and inspired from the Isle of Rùm.

Inspired by Rùms rich history, roasted kelp, spruce and meadowsweet capture the essence of the coastline, forests and glens that define this picturesque Hebridean island.

(Monday)

NOM NOM

FUDGE are a small family run business that has won a few awards for our delicious chocolate based fudge. With approx 80 flavours and a wide selection of old fashioned sweets.

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Exhibitors 08-10 October

Smart Energy GB and Energy Action Scotland

Smart Energy GB is the national consumer engagement body so that everyone in Scotland can confidently take up the offer of smart meters, to help in building an energy system fit for the future. Energy Action Scotland campaigns for an end to fuel poverty in Scotland.

Twitter: @SmartEnergyGB, @EAS_Scotland Websites: www.smartenergygb.org www.eas.org.uk

Out for Independence

Out for Independence is the SNP’s affiliated organisation for LGBTQ+ people. We aim to champion LGBTQ+ issues within the party and politics as a whole. Come out to our stall and find out what we are doing to help make Scotland a fairer, equal, and independent country.

Email: out4indy@gmail.com Twitter: @OutForIndy Website: outforindy.scot

Scots Asians for Independence (SAFI)

Scots Asians For independence aims to promote the interests of Scots Asians within the SNP and the Scots Asian community in Scotland. It has been at the forefront of every major election campaign since 1995 and is the driving force behind the Scots Asians support for the SNP.

Contact: membership@safisnp.org

SNP Trade Union Group

We are the official affiliated SNP group for members of a trade union. We campaign for solidarity among working people, economic justice, a green industrial strategy, Just Transition, and independence as the best means to fulfil these goals. #JoinAUnion

Email: membership@snp-tug.scot Twitter: @TUG_SNP

CPT Scotland

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland is the trade association for the bus and coach sectors in Scotland. CPT facilitates a dynamic bus and coach industry to provide better journeys for all, creating greener communities and delivering economic growth. We do this by representing over 100 members in Scotland from across the industry be they large or small, bus or coach, operator or supplier.

Twitter: @CPT_Scot Website: www.cpt-uk.org

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Young Scots for Independence

Young Scots for Independence (YSI) is the official youth wing of the SNP; for all members under the age of 30. The YSI leads the way in shaping ambitious and progressive policy making within the SNP and campaigns across Scotland.

Email: contact@snpyouth.com

Twitter: @ysinational

SNP Students

SNP Students is the student wing of Scotland’s largest party and party of government. We are a progressive, centre-left and social democratic organisation.

Twitter: @SNPStudents

Instagram: @SNPStudents Website: snpstudents.com

bp bp are in action on the challenge to boost home-grown energy and cut emissions. And in the process, we’re supporting new industries, new jobs and new skills. Drop by stand 58 to discover more.

At ScottishPower,

speeding up the journey to net zero is at the heart of everything we do. We’re investing £10 billion in the UK up to 2025 – £6m every working day – doubling our renewable generation capacity and modernising our electricity network to support green transport and heating. We’re building new solar, wind, battery and green hydrogen infrastructure – ready for the increasing demand for more green, secure and affordable energy. And we’re creating at least 1,000 new green jobs over the next 12 months to help us get there quicker!

Join us on a faster journey to a greener future.

Fringe Programme

Fringe Meetings Saturday 08 October EARLY AFTERNOON

PREMIER FRINGE

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 1C, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Scottish Police Federation

A national police service, sentencing reform, changes to how justice is accessed have all been driven by Government. But beyond the headlines is justice getting the attention it deserves?

There has never been a greater consensus on what we want to achieve, whilst at the same time never have the risks to actually doing so been so real. With our justice system in the spotlight like never before what message does the Spending Review offer for the future for justice?

Will Scotland continue to be the safe and just place to live, or is the hard-fought international reputation for being a progressive, pioneering, and respected nation in justice under threat?

Come and hear first-hand from our speakers as we put “Justice on Trial”.

Speakers:

Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans

Audrey Nicoll MSP, Convener of SP Criminal Justice Committee

Roddy Dunlop KC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates

Julia McParlin, President Scottish Solicitors Bar Association

Calum Steele, General Secretary Scottish Police Federation

Chaired by: Colin MacKay, STV News

Saturday 8 October

Hall A Fringe Space, Ground Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Can the National Care Service deliver for the people of Scotland?

The National Care Service offers a unique opportunity to improve people’s experiences of community health and social care and solve long standing issues in social care.

The National Care Service must prioritise the expertise of people with lived experience of social care, the workforce, and the recommendations of the Independent Review of Adult Social Care. Join the ALLIANCE and RNIB Scotland to hear what the priorities are for people with lived experience of receiving social care support, and to discuss how the National Care Service should deliver for the people of Scotland.

Speakers:

Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care

Dr Hannah Tweed, Senior Policy Officer, the ALLIANCE

Amanda Foster, RNIB Scotland

Chaired by:

Sara Redmond, Chief Officer of Development, the ALLIANCE

Saturday 8 October

Bucksburn Suite, Ground Floor

Hilton Hotel

12h30 - 13h30

A Fairer Scotland for People with Learning Disabilities and Autism

ENABLE Scotland delivers human rightsdriven support for disabled people in their local communities through self-directed social care, employability services and activism. As the Scottish Government takes forward its commitment to a Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill and establishes the National Care Service, our panel will discuss how we can ensure new legislation is strong and effective, and will make a real difference in breaking down barriers to inclusion and creating a fairer Scotland.

Speakers:

Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

Jan Savage, Director of ENABLE Scotland

Peter McMahon, ENABLE Scotland member

Rob Holland, Director of the National Autistic Society Scotland

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Scotland In Europe: shaping an internationalist, progressive independent nation

As we prepare for the historic independence referendum, this is a crucial time to look ahead to what sort of Scotland we want to build.

Join the discussion chaired by Young Scots for Independence to hear from young voices, elected parliamentarians and international guests about the case for an internationalist, progressive independent Scotland.

In this interactive event, share your views and thoughts about the role Scotland should play in the EU, and how we can collaborate with other countries to tackle the global crises we face.

Speakers:

Anum Qaisar MP

Reinhard Bütikofer MEP, Member of the European Parliament

Erin Mwembo, YSI Convener

Olaf Stando, YSI International Officer

Fringe Meetings Saturday 08 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 1, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 12h30 - 13h30

Out for Independence AGM

Join Out for Independence for our first in-person Annual General Meeting since our re-founding. Everyone is welcome to attend, and all LGBTQ+ SNP members can vote in the AGM whether you are a delegate or visitor. We will be hearing from people across our communities as we discuss the important issues in creating a fairer, more equal, and independent Scotland.

Should you wish to run for a position, please contact us with your nomination.

We can be contacted at out4indy@gmail.com for any accessibility requirements.

Speakers:

Michael Gibbons, Co-Convenor OFI

Erin Lux, Co-Convenor OFI

Declan Blench, National Secretary OFI

MEMBERS ONLY

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 2, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 12h30 - 13h30

An independent Scotland that leaves no one behind. Embracing differences and tackling hate

Please join us for presentations and discussions about Ending Racism in Sport, following the publication of the Independent Review into Racism in Cricket Scotland.

Speakers: Kaukab Stewart MSP and others

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 8, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 12h30 - 13h30

Independence Principles - Building Our Civic Movement

A discussion on building a wide civiic movement and how a code of conduct can play an integral part in that process of building a winning civic independence movement. Conducting the campaign like we are in the early days of a better nation.

Speakers: Karen Adam MSP MEMBERS ONLY

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Pharmacist Independent Prescribing: What role can Community Pharmacy play in a changing Scottish Healthcare landscape?

Our presentation and panel discussion will highlight the essential role of community pharmacists in the changing Scottish healthcare system. Our presenters will focus on the role of the Independent Prescriber, the value they bring to the sector and why increasing their number will allow community pharmacies to deliver beyond historical expectations. We will then discuss what is needed to realise our ambitions before finishing with a chance to put your questions to our panel in a short Q&A session.

Speakers:

Evelyn Tweed MSP

Amanda Rae, CPS, Head of Policy & Development

Adam Osprey, CPS, Policy & Development

Pharmacist

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

The impact of rising energy bills on Scots households – and what practical help is available

With energy prices rising and the scale of the cost of living crisis becoming a reality, the panel will discuss the impacts this is having for households across Scotland and look at how those experiencing debt, fuel poverty and other issues as a result of soaring gas and electricity bills and record inflation can be better supported. There will be a question and answer session giving attendees the opportunity to join the discussion.

Speakers:

Alison Thewliss MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Treasury)

Kirsty Blackman MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)

Conor Forbes, Director of Policy at Advice Direct Scotland

Ed Dodman, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Ombudsman Services

Chaired by: Chris McCall, Deputy Political Editor at the Daily Record

Fringe Meetings Saturday 08 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 5, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Scotland’s new vision for stroke is excellent - how can we ensure it becomes reality?

Stroke doesn’t get the attention, resources or prioritisation it merits.

To its credit the Scottish Government has recognised this and launched an ambitious Stroke Improvement Programme. A new vision for stroke care in Scotland has been published, setting out the standard of care due to the nearly 10,000 people affected each year. The Stroke Association has welcomed this excellent document.

Delivery of this, by health boards, will improve lives, enhance well-being and support building the NHS back better. We will explore how that can happen, and how you can help to ensure it does in your area.

Speakers:

Amy Callaghan MP

Paul McLennan MSP

John Watson, Scotland Director, Stroke Association

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 6, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Reversing the trends: Addressing the health inequality crisis in Scotland

While significant steps have been taken by the Scottish Government to tackle health inequalities – with a range of ambitious policies across not just health policy but also tackling their root social and economic causes – they stubbornly persist, and in some instances are widening.

This expert panel event, featuring Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance, will discuss recent trends and the major factors involved in the persistent health inequalities across Scotland. It will explore existing initiatives and what further changes in policy and delivery might reverse the trends and lead to a healthier and more equal society.

Speakers:

Angela Constance MSP, Minister for Drugs Policy

Chris Creegan, Associate Director, Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland

Jo Bibby, Director of Health, Health Foundation

Chaired by: Philip Whyte, Director of IPPR Scotland

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 7, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 12h30 - 13h30

Are we ‘Delivering for Families?’ What more can we do to sustainably reduce child poverty levels in Scotland and build a more adequate social security safety net

Come along to this JRF Scotland and Save the Children Scotland fringe to discuss what can – and must – be done in these challenging economic times, to drive down poverty and improve outcomes for families and children. In the context of the cost of living crisis and with interim child poverty reduction target deadlines just a few years away, this challenging and topical fringe will hear from expert speakers on what can be done with the powers in Scotland, to meet our shared ambition to end child poverty.

Speakers:

Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Libby Brooks, Guardian Scotland correspondent Chris Birt, Associate Director, Scotland, JRF Fiona King, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Save the Children Scotland

LATE AFTERNOON

SNP Climate and Environment Group

Saturday 8 October

Bucksburn Suite, Ground Floor

Hilton Hotel

16h30 - 17h30

Indy.....Climate....Environment

Now up and running for the last 10 months, this Group is for everyone who wants to see great policy development on these vital topics and related issues like land reform, just transition and biodiversity.

We want to inform and support party members, especially branch Climate and Environment Officers, and make sure of a fairer, greener future.

MEMBERS ONLY

Fringe Meetings Saturday 08 October LATE

Cromarty Firth and London Branch

Saturday 8 October

Hall A Fringe Space, Ground Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Land Reform - Build on the Bills

Explore the proposed Scottish Government Bills which contribute to land reform.

Speakers:

Rob Gibson, Former MSP

Wylie Horn, Ecologist

Calum MacLeod, Policy Director, Community Land Scotland

Chaired by: Roseanna Cunningham, Former Minister

Saturday 8 October Conference Suite 2A, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 16h30 - 17h30

Justice for Palestinians

In the context of deepening discrimination and oppression against Palestinians, leading human rights organisations conclude Israel is committing the crime of apartheid. Now is the time to stand up for Palestinians’ freedom, dignity and human rights. Join us to hear from:

• Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association - about solidarity with Palestinian civil society and human rights defenders under attack by Israel

• Medical Aid for Palestinians – about how fragmentation and systematic discrimination impacts Palestinians’ health and dignity

• Palestine Solidarity Campaign - about how you can support Palestinian rights, including pushing back against attempts to silence supporters of Palestinian freedom

Speakers:

Philippa Whitford MP

Sahar Francis, director of Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association

Ben Jamal, director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Speaker from Medical Aid for Palestinians

Chaired by: Nadia El-Nakla, SNP Friends of Palestine

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Scotland’s Energy Future - Beyond Oil & Gas

How do we heat our homes and power our economy without it costing the earth?

Climate change and the cost of living crisis have made the issue of Scotland’s energy resources more important than ever. As we transition away from fossil fuels, how do we make sure we have a modern, clean and affordable energy system that’s fit for the future? And what could stop us achieving that?

Join us to learn more about how Scotland can play its part in reducing climate change while building a strong and resilient energy system to take us into the future.

Speakers:

Tommy Sheppard MP

Alex Lee, Friends of the Earth Scotland

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Health & Care Hub

The pandemic has caused significant harm to our health and care workforce. However, many of the challenges they have faced over the last two and a half years are not new and as we approach winter concerns remain about the sustained pressure that staff are under.

From recruitment and retention – to ensure safe staffing levels – to staff wellbeing, urgent action is needed.

Join Holyrood for its annual Health & Care Hub as we consider the steps that could and should be taken to tackle the workforce crisis and make our health and care services attractive places to work.

Speakers:

Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

Kenryck Lloyd-Jones, Public Affairs and Policy Manager for Scotland, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Scotland

Clare Morrison, Director for Scotland, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Colin Poolman, Director, Royal College of Nursing Scotland

Chaired by: Chris Marshall, Deputy Editor, Holyrood magazine

Fringe Meetings Saturday 08 October LATE

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 2, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 16h30 - 17h30

Political Education Officers Networking Hour

An opportunity for Political Education Officers to network, share best practice, meet the members of the Policy Development Committee and discuss priorities for the year ahead as we progress towards an independence referendum.

Speakers: Keith Brown MSP, Depute Leader (TBC)

Toni Giugliano, Policy Development Convener

MEMBERS ONLY

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 16h30 - 17h30

Ukraine and the Future of European Security

Panel discussion on the current conflict in Ukraine and what it means for the future of European security.

Speakers: Stewart McDonald MP, SNP Spokesperson for Defence

Lesia Vasylenko MP, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament

Reinhard Bütikofer MEP, Member of the European Parliament

Chaired By: Professor Stephen Gethins, University of St Andrews

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

NCD Prevention: The Future of Public Health in Scotland

83% of deaths in Scotland are caused by non-communicable diseases, and 1 in 5 of these deaths relate directly to alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food and drink. NCD Alliance Scotland has come together to help tackle the burden of NCDs on public health. This session, with guest speaker Gillian Martin MSP will cover how Scotland can tackle the harm caused by these health harming commodities and support the path to a healthier Scotland.

Speakers:

Gillian Martin MSP

Sheila Duffy, ASH Scotland

Dr David Blane, Obesity Action Scotland

Laura Mahon, Alcohol Focus Scotland

Chaired by: David McColgan, NCD Alliance Scotland

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 1A

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Closing the attainment gap for deaf children

Deaf children in Scotland are currently twice as likely to leave school with no qualifications and are only half as likely to go to university as their hearing classmates. However, there is no reason why the academic achievements of deaf young people should not match those of other learners, if the barriers that too many deaf children still face were removed. At this National Deaf Children’s Society fringe meeting deaf young people, MSPs and Councillors will lead a discussion on how we can close the educational attainment gap for deaf children in Scotland.

Speakers:

Karen Adam MSP

Cllr Grant Ferguson

Deaf young people from the NDCS Scotland

Changemakers group

Fringe Meetings Saturday 08 October LATE

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 6, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Towards a living income: Delivering a Minimum Income Guarantee

The Scottish Government has made an ambitious commitment to develop a minimum income guarantee – a radical proposal which would help establish a living income and provide an assurance that everyone could live a dignified, healthy, and financially secure life.

This expert panel – featuring Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison – will explore how we can realise the long-term role of a minimum income guarantee in driving down poverty and securing a fairer Scotland, the government’s ongoing initiatives to tackle poverty, and where action could be taken within the existing legislative and fiscal powers of the Scottish Parliament or where further powers are needed.

Speakers:

Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing, and Local Government

Satwat Rehman, Chief Executive, One Parent Families Scotland

Peter Kelly, Director of Poverty Alliance Director Chaired by: Philip Whyte, Director of IPPR Scotland

Saturday 8 October

Meeting Room 7, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Last Rights: why the Scottish Parliament should deliver on assisted dying

Dying Scots need more choice and compassion. A majority of Scots support law change, and the proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill, brought by Liam McArthur MSP, seeks to make this choice a reality. It is time Scotland delivered progressive rights to our terminally ill citizens. Over 200 million people worldwide have access to assisted dying, in jurisdictions such as the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Now is the time for the Scottish Parliament to look at the evidence, listen to the voices of those most affected and deliver on this compassionate reform.

Speakers:

Elena Whitham MSP

Josh Aaron-Mennie

Fraser Sutherland

Receptions Saturday 08 October EVENING

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 1B, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

17h30 - 19h00

Scotch Whisky Reception

Hosted by Gordon MacDonald MSP, Co-Convener of the CPG on Scotch Whisky, this reception is a celebration of the role Scotch Whisky plays in our economy, its leadership in sustainability, and its place as a key part of Scotland’s identity.

INVITATION ONLY

ALL ELECTED MEMBERS WELCOME

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

18h00 - 19h00

The Editor’s Club: In Conversation…

Join Holyrood magazine editor, Mandy Rhodes, for a glass of wine and a convivial ‘in conversation’ with the SNP’s Minister for Parliamentary Business, George Adam MSP aka ‘Mr Paisley’.

S peakers: George Adam MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business Mandy Rhodes, Managing Editor, Holyrood magazine

I NVITATION ONLY

Saturday 8 October

Conference Suite 1C, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

17h45 - 19h15

Local Government Reception

Kindly sponsored by: Pentland Communications

ALL SNP COUNCILLORS WELCOME

FRINGE EVENTS AT SNP CONFERENCE 2022

Tackling the Workforce Crisis

Saturday 8th Oct, 16.30-17.30, Suite 4

in association with

HOLYROOD DRINKS RECEPTION

with HUMZA YOUSAF MSP Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

Join Holyrood for its annual Health & Care Hub as we consider the steps that could and should be taken to tackle the workforce crisis and make our health and care services attractive places to work.

The Editor’s Club: In Conversation…

Saturday 8th Oct, 18.00-19.00, Invitation only, Suite 4

with MANDY RHODES, Managing Director & Editor, Holyrood Communications and GEORGE ADAM MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business

Join Holyrood magazine editor, Mandy Rhodes, for a glass of wine and a convivial ‘in conversation’ with the SNP’s Minister for Parliamentary Business, George Adam MSP aka ‘Mr Paisley’.

Decarbonisation and DigitalisationThe Future of Scotland’s Railway

Sunday 9th Oct, 09.15-10.15, Suite 4

with JENNY GILRUTH MSP Minister for Transport

Join us as we discuss how the railway can meet its 2035 decarbonisation target and deliver for the people of Scotland.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

Financing the Just Transition

Sunday 9th Oct, 12.30-13.30, Suite 4

with MICHAEL MATHESON MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport

Join us as we consider how we intensify our harnessing of private finance towards the pursuit and delivery of a just transition in Scotland and beyond.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

Investing for a Sustainable Future

Monday 10th Oct, 09.15 – 10.15 , Suite 4

with IVAN MCKEE MSP

Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise,

Join us as we consider how the investment sector can guide us through the economic and climate crises.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

Tackling Obesity: The Role of Scotland’s Food and Drink Industry

Sunday 9th Oct, 12.30 – 13.30 , Suite 1B

with EMMA HARPER MSP Co-Convener, Cross-Party Group on Health Inequalities

Join us to discuss how the food and drink industry can help tackle obesity in Scotland.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

Maximising Potential: Energy Security Through an Integrated Supply Chain

Sunday 9th Oct, 16.30-17.30, Suite 4

with MICHAEL MATHESON

MSP Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport

Join us as we consider how Scotland utilises its world class offshore energy supply chain to deliver the Scottish Governments net zero commitments, ensure our energy security and deliver a just transition for energy communities.

FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October MORNING

Sunday 9 October Conference Suite 1B, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 09h15 - 10h15

National Secretary Hustings

Come along and grill your candidates for National Secretary. As one of the most important jobs in the party elected at this conference, this is your opportunity to hear from all the candidates and find out about their plans for the role.

MEMBERS ONLY

Sunday 9 October Conference Suite 2A, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 09h15 - 10h15

Good Lord, that’s undemocratic!

An open discussion regarding the role of unelected religious representatives having voting positions on local authority educational committees.

Speakers: Elena Whitham MSP and Karen Adam MSP

Moving mountains to support energy security

Our planned expansion of Cruachan will unlock more renewable electricity to power homes and businesses across the country, as well as deliver crucial stability to the UK grid.

Sunday 9 October

Hall A Fringe Space, Ground Floor,

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

The European Nuclear Dimension and the War in Ukraine

The illegal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has, amongst other things, sparked the most extensive discussion around nuclear war for many years.

The acquiescence of nuclear armed states in the erosion of international nuclear arms control architecture means that, at the very time when that architecture is required, it’s missing.

The threat of the use of nuclear weapons is, according to many analysts, closer than at any time since the Cuban missile crisis. What are the threats of nuclear escalation in Ukraine and what are the tools that are required to see off that threat?

Join the discussion.

Sunday 9 October Conference Suite 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

Decarbonisation and DigitalisationThe Future of Scotland’s Railway

Reducing emissions in transport will be essential if Scotland is to reach its net zero target by 2045. Decarbonising rail will be a key element of this and is why ScotRail has produced an action plan outlining how it will eliminate emissions by 2035. Join us as we discuss how the railway can meet this 2035 target, through electrification of the rail infrastructure and transitioning to electric, battery or hydrogen-powered trains. We will also consider the modal shift that is required and explore how digital solutions can increase the reliability and capacity of Scotland’s railway, improve ticketing and, ultimately, the passenger experience.

Speakers:

Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport

Gavin Newlands MP, Spokesperson for Transport

Campbell Braid, Operations Director, Siemens

Chaired by: Kirsteen Paterson, Journalist, Holyrood magazine

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October MORNING

Scotland

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

Democratic Ambitions for Scotland

Scotland is at a crossroads. The constitutional question remains dominant, while there have been important campaigns for enhanced local democracy, increased lobbying transparency and for the use of Citizens Assemblies to aid in decision making.

This fringe will assess the state of Scottish democracy today and take into consideration the content of the second paper in the Building a New Scotland series, ‘Renewing Democracy Through Independence’. Join the discussion on how citizens in Scotland can have more control over how their country is run.

Speakers:

Angela Constance MSP, Minister for Drugs Policy

Dr Malcolm Harvery

Chaired by: Jonathon Shafi

Sunday 9 October

Bucksburn 1, Ground Floor Hilton Hotel

09h15 - 10h15

Pensions. Sustainability. Cost of living.

As we all face increasing costs of living, we need to remember the importance of lifetime savings –both for individual resilience and driving forward the transition to a zero carbon future. The role of pensions, and individual engagement with them is a key part of keeping people involved. This private session will share some insight into the carbon footprints of major pension funds, demonstrate Scottish Widows’ approach to improving pension engagement and highlight some particular savings challenges faced by particular communities.

Kirsty Blackman MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)

Alison Thewliss MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Treasury)

INVITATION ONLY

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Sunday 9 October

Hall A Fringe Space, Ground Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Preparing for future pandemics: an independent Scotland’s role in a fairer global response

The global response to the Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare a global healthcare system rigged in favour of rich countries and pharmaceutical corporations. Pharma companies patented their vaccines and treatments, and made astronomical profits. Rich countries hoarded the lion’s share of the available vaccines. Many countries in the Global South have been unable to vaccinate even 10% of their populations.

Things need to change. Come along and hear how an independent Scotland could remodel its pharmaceutical and healthcare system so that public good is put before corporate profit, and how Scotland could be a positive force for change globally.

Speakers:

Philippa Whitford MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Health)

Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni, MBE, Senior Health

Policy Advisor to UNAIDS and The Peoples Vaccine Alliance

Tim Bierley, Pharma campaigner, Global Justice Now

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 1B, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Tackling Obesity: The Role of Scotland’s Food and Drink Industry

Obesity remains one of the key public health challenges facing Scotland. It is estimated that 2/3 of adults are overweight or obese, while 29% of children are at risk of becoming so. The food and drink industry has an important role to play in supporting efforts to tackle this problem. With the Scottish Government due to publish a new Public Health Bill – expected to include restrictions on unhealthier food and drink promotions – and following publication of the UK Government’s Food Strategy, now is the ideal opportunity to consider what the role of industry and government could and should be.

Join us as we discuss the steps that industry can take to help reduce obesity rates and work more effectively with government moving forward.

Speakers:

Emma Harper MSP, Co-Convener, Cross-Party Group on Improving Scotland’s Health Collette Stevenson MSP, Member of the Cross Party Group on Food

Jim Fox, Head of Public Affairs, Coca Cola Europacific Partners

David Thomson, CEO, Food and Drink Federation Scotland

Chaired by: Mandy Rhodes, Managing Editor, Holyrood magazine

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 2A, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

How we take back our land – grouse moors and land reform in Scotland

The hills are bare now… but grouse moor reform is part of Scotland’s next Programme for Government and we’re about to see a new land reform act in Scotland. If we do it properly, we could be on the cusp of truly changing the face of the nation for the better. Join us as we discuss exactly what needs to be done to make the most of this historic opportunity and to take back our land.

Speakers:

Màiri McAllan MSP, Minister for Environment and Land Reform

Max Wiszniewski, Campaign Manager for REVIVE

Mhairi Stewart, Policy Strategy Lead at John Muir Trust

Amanda Burgauer, Director of Common Weal

Chaired by: Robbie Marsland, Director of League Against Cruel Sports Scotland

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

WWF Lunch Reception for Westminster MPs

This event will cover the particular areas of environmental policy that have not been devolved to the Scottish Parliament and how MPs may wish to influence them. We will discuss in a casual, informal setting the work of WWF and opportunities for SNP MPs to work with WWF, and how MPs can maximise their impact in the Commons chamber on these issues.

Representatives from both the UK and Scotland WWF offices will be in attendance and look forward to discussing WWF can support MPs and their offices. This is an opportunity for Westminster MPs to get to know the WWF Public Affairs team outside of the Westminster bubble!

Speakers: Pete Wishart MP

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Financing the Just Transition

As the Scottish Government implements its Just Transition Strategy across all sectors in our economy in pursuit of our net zero targets, Scotland has been recognised as a global leader for its thought-leadership in this endeavour.

Scotland is also a leader in green and ethical finance. The Scottish Government, has only this year, launched a Scottish Taskforce for Green and Sustainable Financial Services, in partnership with the Global Ethical Finance Initiative to co-ordinate and enhance its strength in this area.

Join us as we consider the value of the industry in the delivery of wider net zero and just transition objectives. We will also consider some of the measures Scotland can take in the short and medium term to develop its position as a leading global centre of excellence for green and sustainable finance.

Speakers:

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport

Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of City of London Corporation & Deputy Chair of TheCityUK

Dame Susan Rice, Chair, Global Steering Group, Global Ethical Finance Initiative

Chaired by: Doug Thomson, Former Fund Manager and Company Director

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 1, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Make Votes Matter

It is clear First Past the Post is exacerbating divides in the Union. Our voting system incentivises conflict over cooperation, and distorts the results of elections.

Our fringe will look at how Proportional Representation could improve the dialogue about the future of the Union, and how a postindependence Scotland could benefit from a proportionally elected Westminster.

Speakers:

Tommy Sheppard MP

Emma Roddick MSP

Kaukab Stewart MSP

Klina Jordan, Chief Executive at Make Votes Matter

Tom Brake, Director of Unlock Democracy

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 2, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Farming for the Future

Join Martin Kennedy and Jonnie Hall from NFUS to discuss the future of agriculture. Food production and food security are key global issues and with high input costs, supply chain issues and labour shortages, farmers and crofters are making decisions on how to make ends meet to sustain food production in Scotland. These businesses are key to rural communities using local supply chain companies and providing and supporting thousands of jobs.

With the Agriculture Bill consultation underway, this event will look at how the new system of support will enable the production of sustainable, high-quality food which also addresses the need for further emission reduction and greater biodiversity.

Speakers:

Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism

Martin Kennedy, President NFU Scotland

Jonnie Hall, Director of Policy NFU Scotland

Sunday 9 October Meeting Room 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Social Housing: We Are Housing Scotland

SFHA is the membership body for, and collective voice of, housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland. It is everyone’s right to live in a safe, warm and affordable home in a thriving community, and we know our members are uniquely positioned to help deliver that right, and to serve as community anchors, supporting people and their communities across Scotland. Join us for a panel discussion with Patrick Harvie and SFHA members to explore the vital role social housing plays in tackling poverty and the cost of living crisis, ending homelessness and reaching net zero.

Speakers:

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government

Sally Thomas, Chief Executive, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

Chaired by:

Carolyn Lochhead, Director of Public Affairs & Communications, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Charities, Medical Research, and the Recovery from Covid-19

Modelling by the Fraser of Allander Institute has found that charity funded medical research is one of the most efficient creators of jobs and economic value in Scotland. Join BHF Scotland and BHF funded researchers for a discussion of the important role that lifesaving medical research plays in Scotland’s economy and how this sector can be supported to both improve the health of people of Scotland and support the economic recovery from Covid-19.

Speakers:

John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister, Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery

Jonathan Roden BHF

Dr Minesh Mody, Aberdeen Cardiovascular & Diabetes Centre, University of Aberdeen

Chaired by: Paul McLennan MSP

Sunday 9 October Meeting Room 5, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

How can Scotland invest in a fair and just transition to net zero?

The transition to a net zero economy can create jobs and drive economic growth. However, the benefits may be uneven, and the downsides of industrial change may fall disproportionately on people and places already facing economic challenges. As Scotland transitions to a net zero future how can it deliver for all communities?

Speakers:

Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work

Kirsty Blackman MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)

Cllr Doug McMurdo, Local Authority Pension Fund Forum;

Brendan Curran, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 6, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Community wealth building: rewiring the mechanisms of poverty in Scotland

In anticipation of the 2023 community wealth building bill, a panel of experts will discuss how we can ensure that this crucial piece of legislation is used to empower Scottish places to truly rewire the mechanisms of poverty. The discussion will cover how community wealth building practice is evolving as more places adapt the approach to their context, emergent opportunities such as the climate transition, how community wealth building can be implemented across different levels of government, and whether the Scottish government can do it alone, or with buy-in from Westminster.

Speakers:

Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth

Cllr Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council

Cllr Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council

Sarah Longlands, Chief Executive, Centre for Local Economic Strategies

Chris Birt, Associate Director for Scotland, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 7, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

In Conversation with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP

Join Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP for an informal interview and lively discussion on issues facing the railway industry in Scotland. The event will be facilitated by a senior journalist and is sponsored by the Railway Industry Association in Scotland, in association with the High Speed Rail Group.

RIA is the voice of the UK rail supply community; the national trade association for UK-based suppliers to the railway industry. With over 300 member companies from across the supply chain, RIA’s member companies represent a large proportion of the rail industry.

Speakers:

Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 8, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

A border across Britain: Scotland’s borders after independence

As attention turns towards a future independence referendum a key aspect of the debate will inevitably focus on the potential border arrangements of an independent Scotland. The experience and impacts of Brexit would undoubtedly influence an independent Scotland’s relationship with the EU, particularly as it seeks membership, along with its relationship with the remainder UK – particularly one that found itself on opposite ends of EU membership.

This event will consider how Scotland can learn from the experiences of Brexit and the type of relationship it should aspire to have across all areas of policy with the UK and EU.

Speakers:

Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

Professor Nicola McEwen, Co-Director, Centre on Constitutional Change

Anand Menon, Director, UK in a Changing Europe

Chaired by:

Philip Whyte, Director, IPPR Scotland Director

Sunday 9 October

Bucksburn Suite, Ground Floor

Hilton Hotel

12h30 - 13h30

Islamophobia in Scotland

A seminar on the definition of Islamophobia, its causes, how it impacts Scots, both Muslims and non Muslim, and how to spot and take action to stop this discrimination.

This will be followed by an open and frank discussion where an invited panel will share thier experiences and offer tips of advice.

Many are unaware that Islamophobia is the largest form of hate crime in Scotland and few know about it.

Fringe Meetings Sunday

October

Sunday 9 October Hall A Fringe Space, Ground Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 1730

How can early intervention and preventative measures transform the lives of children and families?

The Promise Scotland supports people and organisations as they act to keep Scotland’s promise to care-experienced people. Join it and a panel of expert speakers to discuss how early intervention measures, including the Scottish Government’s £500m Whole Family Wellbeing Fund can be used to deliver transformative change that will keep families together and reduce the number of children going into care.

This event will be of interest to any attendees interested in how Scotland can #KeepThePromise and bolster the wellbeing of its children and young people.

Speakers:

John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery

Fraser McKinlay, Chief Executive of The Promise Scotland

Cllr Tony Buchanan, COSLA Children and Young People Spokesperson

Mary Glasgow, CCPS and Children 1st

Chaired by: Fiona Duncan, Chair The Promise Scotland

Sunday 9 October Conference Suite 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Maximising Scotland’s Screen Industry

The UK production sector is booming – and Scotland is more than playing its part. With multiple productions in Scotland employing people in high numbers, we have much to contribute to the industry.

In this panel event, Angus Robertson will be in conversation with some of Scotland’s senior screen executives, as they explore how important the industry is to the country; what should be done to ensure it continues to thrive and how we grow and retain the talent we need to do that; as well as a discussion around what’s next for Scotland’s screen industry.

Speakers:

Sarah Brown, Creative Director of Drama, STV Studios

Stewart Kyasimire, Film Director

Craig Hunter, Creative Director of Factual, STV Studios

Chaired by: Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October LATE AFTERNOON

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Maximising Potential: Energy Security Through an Integrated Supply Chain

Geopolitical events over the course of 2022 have seen energy security - and the consequent cost of living crisis - shoot to the top of the political agenda. As a result, there is a legitimate possibility that energy rationing may be regarded as being necessary over the course of the winter in the UK.

This is unfolding within the context of the Scottish Government having statutory yearon-year emissions-reductions targets, with the ultimate objective to be net zero by 2045. The Scottish Government have determined that, unlike previous economic transitions, the one to net zero should be a just transition where nobody gets left behind.

In advance of the Scottish Government’s refreshed Energy Strategy, join us as we consider how we ensure Scotland’s energy security while also delivering a just transition, with a focus on the role of offshore energy sources.

Speakers:

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport

Katy Heidenreich, Supply Chain and People Director, OEUK

Maggie McGinlay, Chief Executive, ETZ

Chaired By: Professor Paul de Leeuw, Director of the RGU Energy Transition Institute, Robert Gordon University (RGU)

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 2, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Making farming work for nature, climate and people

Farming is vital to Scotland’s future. As well as producing food, farmers and crofters manage three quarters of Scotland’s land.

But many current farming practices cause pollution and severely deplete our wildlife. Farming is also one of the top three sources of climate emissions in Scotland.

The Scottish government spends more than half a billion pounds on farm funding every year. Yet it is failing to help farmers and crofters to protect and restore Scotland’s nature or tackle climate change.

Hear how the introduction of new agriculture legislation will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a better system.

Speakers:

Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands

Pete Ritchie, Nourish Scotland

Alastair Seaman, Woodland Trust Scotland

Nikki Yoxall, Pasture for Life

Chaired By: Jenni Minto MSP

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Funding Charities to Support Communities - How Charity Lottery Reform Can Help Charities Across the Country

Join People’s Postcode Lottery, SNP parliamentarians and leading charities as they discuss how charity lottery reform can unlock more funding for good causes across Scotland.

Speakers:

Shona Robison MSP, The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government.

Marion Fellows MP, for Motherwell and Wishaw

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Matt Downie MBE, Chief Executive of Crisis

Malcolm Fleming, Head of Public Affairs at People’s Postcode Lottery

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 5, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

The Future of Emergency Care in Scotland

This fringe event is an opportunity for you to meet with front line clinicians working in emergency departments across Scotland. We will explore the current staffing models and how they might look in the future.

Speakers:

Gillian Martin MSP

Fringe Meetings Sunday 09 October LATE AFTERNOON

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 6, Ground Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Better Deal for Teachers

An inadequate pay offer, continued unsustainable workload pressures and significant adverse impacts on teachers’ health and wellbeing are creating anger in the profession after teachers have been ‘right in the eye of the storm’ for two years.

The NASUWT is demanding intervention from the Government to secure a better deal for teachers as part of a range of measures needed to ensure the continued support of the profession. Join us to learn more.

Speakers:

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Mike Corbett, National Official (Scotland), NASUWT

Chaired by: Scott McGimpsey, National Executive Member, NASUWT

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 7, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

16h30 - 17h30

Towards a more resilient Scotland: helping people in crisis

From supporting people in Scotland affected by heatwaves, floods and fires, to reacting to global emergencies, the need for action on crisis has never been more pressing. How can we learn from the incredible kindness shown during the Covid-19 pandemic to respond to crises such as the rising cost of living and climate change? Hear from the British Red Cross and Volunteer Scotland about the work of communities across the country and how we can prepare for the future.

Speakers:

Keith Brown MSP, SNP Depute Leader and Cabinet Secretary for Justice

Lisa Hollins, Executive Director of Operations, British Red Cross

Alan Stevenson, Chief Executive, Volunteer Scotland

Receptions Sunday

EVENING

Sunday 9 October

Meeting Room 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

17h30 - 18h30

Channel 4 Drinks Reception

Drinks reception to mark the 40th anniversary of Channel 4

INVITATION ONLY

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 1A, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

18h00 - 19h00

HM Government is once again delighted to be in Scotland and to share the experiences of both our countries to build on our strong ties.

INVITATION ONLY

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 1B

The Event Complex Aberdeen

17h45 - 19h00

Holyrood Reception

Kindly sponsored by: ScottishPower and WWF Scotland

MSPs and

WELCOME

Sunday 9 October

Conference Suite 1C, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

18h00 - 20h00

Media Reception

Kindly sponsored by: Global

ALL ACCREDITED MEDIA WELCOME

Fringe Meetings Monday 10 October MORNING

Monday 10 October Hall A Fringe Space, Ground Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

Building a Social Enterprise Economy: putting fairness at the heart of our economic recovery

There are more than 6000 social enterprises in Scotland. Together they contribute some £2.3 billion to the Scottish economy and support more than 88,000 jobs.

Our panel will discuss how social enterprises can transform the Scottish economy, putting fairness at the heart of our economic growth and recovery.

Amid the crisis in the cost of living, and households facing the biggest fall in living standards in a century, we will discuss how a social enterprise economy can be a real alternative to an economic system that benefits the rich, as well as practical steps needed to grow the sector.

Speakers:

Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth

Duncan Thorp, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Social Enterprise Scotland

Monday 10 October Conference Suite 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

Investing for a Sustainable Future

As we emerge from the global pandemic, we face competing economic and climate crises.

Financial resources and sound investments are needed to address both - to reduce emissions, promote adaptions to the impacts that are already occurring, and to build households’ economic resilience. Scotland’s financial centre - the largest outside of London - will therefore have a key role to play going forward.

Join us as we discuss in detail how government and the investment sector can help steer us through these crises; the need for long-term planning; and the importance of green, ethical investments. We’ll also look at what the current environmental and economic situation means for individuals who are looking to make investments for their future.

Speakers:

Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise

Alison Thewliss MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Treasury)

Chris Cummings, CEO, Investment Association

Sandy Begbie, Chief Executive, Scottish Financial Enterprise

Chaired by: Mandy Rhodes, Managing Editor, Holyrood magazine

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

Supporting students through the cost of living crisis: the role for universities, the government and businesses

This event will cover the impact that the cost of living crisis will have on students, the support available to them and the role that universities, the government and businesses should play in helping to support students through it.

Speakers:

Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science of Scotland

Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland President

Professor Jonathan Powles, Vice Principal Learning Teaching and Students at the University of the West of Scotland

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

Living with Loss: Improving Bereavement Support in Post-Pandemic Scotland

The UK Commission on Bereavement’s event gathers politicians, academic researchers and representatives from charities to discuss how to improve support for bereaved individuals in postpandemic Scotland.

Speakers:

Kevin Stewart MSP, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care

Dr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive, Scottish Care

Ellie Wagstaff, Senior Policy Manager, Marie Curie

Fringe Meetings Monday 10 October MORNING

Monday 10 October

Conference Suite 1C, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

Maximising Scotland’s Energy Potential: Achieving a Just Transition

This event will consider how industry and government can capitalise on Scotland’s vast natural resources to deliver a fair and just transition from a high to low-carbon energy system.

The panel will discuss both the immense opportunities that lie ahead for Scotland and the need to ensure that mistakes of industrial transformations of the past are not repeated on the journey to net zero.

Speakers:

Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work

Stephen Flynn MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)

Kate Wallace Lockhart, Head of Sustainability, SSE Renewables

Richard Hardy, National Secretary for Scotland and Ireland, Prospect Union

Charlotte Hartley, Pubiic Affairs Manager, Storegga

Chaired by: Claire Mack, Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables

Monday 10 October Meeting Room 6, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

09h15 - 10h15

The impact of Westminster welfare reforms on child poverty in Scotland: what can be done about it?

The UK government’s benefit cap, two child limit and young parent penalty all undermine Scotland’s national child poverty mission. They hurt the very families rightly identified as ‘priority groups’ in the Scottish government’s child poverty plan. This fringe meeting will discuss the impact on children and families and discuss how the policies can be challenged at Westminster, and their effects mitigated by Holyrood and local government.

Speakers:

Ben MacPherson MSP, Minister for Social Security and Local Government

Kirsty Blackman MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Work and Pensions)

Caitlin Logan, Policy, Research and Influencing Lead, One Parent Families Scotland

Ed Pybus, Policy and Parliamentary Officer, Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland

Fringe Meetings Monday 10 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Monday 10 October

Hall A Fringe Space, Ground Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Cost of Living Crisis; The Trade Union Response

The Trade Union Group will be hosting a panel Q and A of senior Scottish trade union representatives from some of the unions involved in industrial action in the private and public sector.

Speakers:

Roz Foyer, General Secretary of the Scottish Trade Union Congress and some senior Scottish trade union representative from some of the unions involved in industrial action

Monday 10 October

Conference Suite 1A, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Education Matters!

Fringe Meeting with Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education, and Andrea Bradley, EIS General Secretary.

This Fringe meeting will be an opportunity for Shirley-Anne and Andrea to debate the key issues and challenges facing education in Scotland today. There will be a Q&A session for delegates at the meeting.

Speakers:

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Andrea Bradley, EIS General Secretary

Andrene Bamford EIS President

Fringe Meetings Monday 10 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Monday 10 October

Conference Suite 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Investing Scotland’s Future for People and Planet

To tackle the climate and energy crisis we need to transition from fossil fuels to renewables. This change is an opportunity to build a fairer and more equal Scotland but such a transformation requires an unprecedented amount of investment and new financial thinking.

Cities like Glasgow are challenging the financial sector to move faster, after pledging to divest the city from fossil fuels alongside Copenhagen, Paris and Seattle ahead of COP26 in 2021.

Join investment analyst Mark Campanale and guests to discuss how Scotland can unlock investment that delivers a sustainable, resilient future for people and planet.

Speakers:

Cllr Richard Bell

Mark Campanale, Founder and Executive Chairman of Carbon Tracker.

Ric Lander, Divestment Campaigner Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 2, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Rural broadband as a catalyst for economic transformation

Robust, gigabit-capable, broadband is crucial to the strength of our economy. A broadband infrastructure equipped for a digital future will unleash the potential of businesses in towns and villages across Scotland, helping them to grow, develop and compete. Join our panel to hear how GoFibre – a Scottish independent builder and provider of full fibre connectivity - is bridging the digital divide with fast, reliable and futureproof broadband across Scotland’s rural and harder to reach communities. Proudly grown from its origins in the Scottish Borders, GoFibre is attracting inward investment in order to prioritise the delivery of world-class digital connectivity for the modern economy.

Speakers:

Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise

Sam Calvert, Consumer Commercial Director, GoFibre

Chaired by: Lesley Richards, GoFibre

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 3, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30- 13h30

Our Mission: Energy Transition

Delivering the skills and investment required to realise Scotland’s net zero ambition is going to be crucial. The North-East of Scotland has a critical role to play in delivering and accelerating the energy transition given its unique energy knowledge and experience.

Hosted by Robert Gordon University (RGU) and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and building on RGU’s recently published ‘Making the Switch’ report, this event will explore what transition will mean for the offshore energy industry, investment, workforce, future skills and what role government can play in conjunction with business to ensure success.

Speakers:

Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport

Donella Beaton, Vice Principal for Economic Development, Robert Gordon University

Professor Paul de Leeuw, Director, Energy Transition Institute, Robert Gordon University

Fergus Mutch, Policy Advisor, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

Chaired by: Gillian Martin MSP for Aberdeenshire East

Fringe Meetings Monday 10 October EARLY AFTERNOON

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 4, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 12h30 - 13h30

Social Housing as the Foundation of Social Justice

Scotland’s housing and homelessness system is in crisis, with unprecedented numbers of families and children trapped in temporary accommodation and unable to access the permanent homes which they are entitled to.

The Scottish Government accepts the vital role of social housing in meeting social justice ambitions and has committed to delivering 38,500 social homes by 2026/27. Considering the growing challenges on the delivery of these homes, we will explore how the Scottish Government can end Scotland’s housing emergency and meet social justice ambitions by delivering the homes promised, fully funding homelessness services, and guaranteeing everyone’s right to a safe home.

Speakers:

Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government; Gordon MacRae, Assistant Director for Communications and Advocacy, Shelter Scotland; John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland

Chaired by: Elena Whitham MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 5, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen 12h30 - 13h30

A world leader: the role of offshore wind in powering Scotland’s energy transition

Scotland has the potential to be a world leader and global powerhouse of offshore wind. The offshore wind industry can generate billions for the Scottish economy and create tens of thousands jobs. It can power our homes, decarbonise our existing energy, and create a revolution in jobs and investment in Scotland.

This event will be a panel discussion on how offshore wind can power Scotland’s energy transition.

Speakers:

Stephen Flynn MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy)

Dan Jackson, Director, Cerulean Winds Neil Gordon, Chief Executive, Global Underwater Hub

Professor Peter Strachan, Robert Gordon University

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 6, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

The Future of Home Heating: Prioritising Consumers Through the Energy Transition

Join Scotland’s gas distribution network, SGN, for a discussion on the decarbonisation of home heating.

The panel will cover:

• Steps Scotland can take to decarbonise homes in the 2020s.

• Prioritising the consumer through the energy transition and cost of living crisis

• Future policy and technology solutions for home heating

• The role of industry and government in the debate

Speakers:

Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work

Frazer Scott, Chief Executive, Energy Action Scotland

Nigel Holmes, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association

Monday 10 October

Meeting Room 7, First Floor

The Event Complex Aberdeen

12h30 - 13h30

Ten Year Cancer Plan - where next for Cancer in Scotland

The Scottish Government has launched a Consultation on publishing a new 10 year cancer plan in Scotland next Spring. What should go in that plan, what are the key needs for cancer patients and cancer services? This fringe meeting brings together cancer charities and the Cabinet Secretary for Health to discuss the way forward.

Speakers:

Humza Yousaf MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

David Ferguson, Cancer Research UK, Public Affairs Manager (Scotland)

Kate Seymour, Macmillan Cancer Support, Head of Advocacy (Nations and Regions)

Fringe Meetings Monday 10 October AFTERNOON

Monday 10 October

Tactic Meeting Room, Ground Floor

The Aloft Hotel

13h45 - 14h45

Working together: Helping Scotland’s businesses be their best

A private roundtable discussion bringing together local businesses, policy experts and politicians to discuss the challenges firms currently face, such as staff and skills shortages and how increases in fuel, energy, and inflation are affecting operations. The event will provide an opportunity to hear directly from business owners about the kind of policies that could be developed to help support growth and productivity at a time when financial pressures are rising considerably.

Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise

Alison Thewliss MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Treasury)

Stephen Flynn MP, Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Business, Energy and industrial Strategy)

INVITATION ONLY

Education Matters Fringe Meeting

Shirley-Anne Somerville Cabinet Secretary for

A World Leader

Andrea Bradley EIS General Secretary

The role of o shore floating wind in powering Scotland's energy transition

Heathrow

over

Internal Elections

National Party

St Andrew’s Dinner 2022

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW VENUE

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Glasgow Marriott Hotel on

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Glasgow Marriott Hotel 500 Argyle Street Glasgow, G3 8RR

Friday 25 November Tickets £85 per person

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Once again both the St Andrew’s Dinner and the SNP Awards are kindly sponsored by renewable energy producers Community Windpower and we thank the company for their continued support.

Internal Elections

INTERNAL ELECTIONS

Delegates get a vote for the election of office bearers and committees.

All delegates with an email address on the membership system will be sent a link containing their voting code when Conference opens at 10h30 on Saturday 8th October, allowing them to vote using their own devices.

For delegates unable to vote electronically during Conference, printed ballot papers can be issued from Headquarters desk once the ballot is open. A delegate credentials card and a current membership card are needed for papers to be issued. Once issued, ballot papers are the responsibility of the delegate.

Electronic ballot papers will contain a short statement from each candidate against their name, as it appears in the conference handbook. There will also be links to an electronic flyer if the candidate has submitted one. Paper copies of the flyers will also be available for reading at the HQ desk.

Delegates can complete each part of the electronic ballot paper separately and go back to the voting process later, provided that all sections the delegate wishes to complete are submitted by the close of voting. Delegates can vote in every election which appears for them on the voting website or physical ballot paper.

The ballot paper for Regional Members of NEC, the Policy Development Committee and the Conferences Committee may include two lists. When this is the case, the first one is for the ‘all-female’ list. The second one is for the ‘open list’. The ‘all-female’ list will be counted first. Candidates who are not elected in the ‘all-female’ list may be elected in the ‘open list’ if they are included in both contests.

Any candidate elected on the ‘all-female’ list who is also on the ‘open list’ will be removed before that list is counted. In addition, any ballot paper with a first preference for a candidate elected on the ‘all-female’ list becomes a ballot paper with a first preference vote for the next preference candidate who has not been elected.

There will be vacant seats on the Policy Development Committee after these elections. The NEC will make arrangements to fill those posts after Conference.

Voting closes at 10h30 on Monday 10th October. At that time, the electronic balloting system will stop accepting any more votes and Headquarters desk will cease accepting ballot papers.

The results of the elections will be posted on the member’s hub as soon as they are available.

Nominations

Nominations 2022

National Office Bearers

PRESIDENT Michael Russell Strachur

NATIONAL TREASURER

Colin Beattie

NATIONAL SECRETARY

Dalkeith & District

UNOPPOSED

Lorna Finn Glasgow Provan

Qasim Hanif Southside Central

Chris Hanlon

West Fife & Coastal Villages

ORGANISATION CONVENER

Simon Hayter Gilmerton

Jeewantha Kalu Arachchige Perth River Tay

Jen Layden Glasgow Shettleston

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONVENER

Lee Fairfull

Kelly Parry

Inverurie

Bonnyrigg & Loanhead

POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONVENER

Toni Giugliano

Southside Central

UNOPPOSED

MEMBER SUPPORT CONVENER

Alexander Belic

Southside Central

Michael Blackshaw North Liberton

Susi McDonald Gilmerton

Sameeha Rehman

Coatbridge & Chryston

David Stothard Annan

WOMEN’S CONVENER

Julia Stachurska Motherwell & Wishaw UNOPPPOSED

EQUALITIES CONVENER

Summer Chen Kirkintilloch

Kirsteen Fraser Glasgow Anniesland

BAME CONVENER

Graham Campbell Glasgow Provan

Michelle Campbell Renfrewshire Riverside

Ali Salamati East Kilbride

Oluwole Shokunbi Greater Pollok & Cardonald

DISABLED MEMBERS’ CONVENER

Andy Stuart

Westhill, Kintore, Blackburn UNOPPOSED

Nominations 2022

National Committees

ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (Two Parliamentarians to be elected)

Chris Law Dundee City West UNOPPOSED

Alison Thewliss Glasgow Shettleston UNOPPOSED

REGIONAL MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (ONE to be elected from an ALL-FEMALE list, and ONE to be elected from an OPEN list in each of the eight Scottish Parliament regions)

CENTRAL SCOTLAND

ALL-FEMALE

Sameeha Rehman Coatbridge & Chryston UNOPPOSED

OPEN

Linda Fabiani East Kilbride

John Haston Grangemouth

Ali Salamati East Kilbride

GLASGOW

ALL-FEMALE

Shazia Babar

Pollokshields East

Christina Cannon Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn

OPEN

Malcolm Balfour Clydebank

Graham Campbell Glasgow Provan

Christina Cannon Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn

Jahangir Hanif

Southside Central

Alex Kerr Glasgow Shettleston

Norman MacLeod Crossmyloof

Oluwole Shokunbi

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

ALL-FEMALE

Greater Pollok & Cardonald

Frances Murray Lewis & Harris

OPEN

Ian Cockburn Wester Ross

Munro Ross Inverness City

LOTHIAN

ALL-FEMALE

Ellie Bird Forth

Sarah Cheung Edinburgh Central

Susi McDonald Gilmerton

OPEN Danny Aston Craigentinny/Duddingston

Michael Blackshaw North Liberton

Sarah Cheung Edinburgh Central

Andrew Ewen Leith Walk

Simon Hayter Gilmerton

Susi McDonald Gilmerton

Tom Ullathorne Livingston East

UNOPPOSED

Nominations 2022

MID SCOTLAND & FIFE

ALL-FEMALE

Kirsty Jarvis

Melanie Kinney

OPEN

Derek Glen

Kirsty Jarvis

Melanie Kinney

Mid Fife & Glenrothes

Strathtay & Dunkeld

West Fife & Coastal Villages

Mid Fife & Glenrothes

Strathtay & Dunkeld

Ian Massie Perth St Johnstoun

Anis Miah City of Dunfermline

Bailey-Lee Robb Beath

Grant Thoms Bannockburn

NORTH EAST SCOTLAND

ALL-FEMALE

Alexandra MacRae

Arbroath & District

Siobhan Tolland Dundee City West

Maureen Watt Aberdeen South & North Kincardine

OPEN

Alexandra MacRae

Arbroath & District

Josh Mennie Peterhead

Lee Mills

Caird & Craigie

Siobhan Tolland Dundee City West

Maureen Watt Aberdeen South & North Kincardine

SOUTH SCOTLAND

ALL-FEMALE

Carol Evans Annandale & Eskdale UNOPPOSED

OPEN

Marshall Douglas Tweeddale

David Stothard Annan

WEST SCOTLAND ALL-FEMALE

Michelle Campbell

Renfrewshire Riverside Summer Chen Kirkintilloch

OPEN

Michelle Campbell Renfrewshire Riverside Summer Chen Kirkintilloch

Jonathan McColl Vale of Leven

Graeme McCormick Helensburgh

POLICY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

(ONE to be elected from an ALL-FEMALE list, and ONE to be elected from an OPEN list in each of the eight Scottish Parliament regions, and ONE to be elected from Outwith Scotland)

CENTRAL SCOTLAND

ALL-FEMALE

Only nomination was from a member elected unopposed to the National Executive Committee.

OPEN

Ali Salamati

East Kilbride

UNOPPOSED

Nominations 2022

GLASGOW

All-FEMALE

Shazia Babar

Pollokshields East

Laura Doherty Glasgow Shettleston

Mhairi Love Glasgow Provan

OPEN

Amjid Bashir Glasgow Cathcart

Alexander Belic Southside Central Graham Campbell Glasgow Provan

Laura Doherty Glasgow Shettleston

Mhairi Love Glasgow Provan Norman MacLeod Crossmyloof

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

ALL-FEMALE

No nominations received.

OPEN

Peter Cairns

Dingwall & District

Munro Ross Inverness City

Joe Smith Shetland Islands

LOTHIAN

ALL-FEMALE

Shelly Ann Brown

Leith

Sarah Cheung Edinburgh Central

Susi McDonald Gilmerton

OPEN

Shelly Ann Brown

Leith

Sarah Cheung Edinburgh Central

Andrew Ewen Leith Walk

Simon Hayter Gilmerton

Susi McDonald Gilmerton

MID SCOTLAND & FIFE

ALL-FEMALE

No nominations received.

OPEN Chris Hanlon

West Fife & Coastal Villages

Anis Miah City of Dunfermline

Grant Thoms Bannockburn

NORTH EAST SCOTLAND

ALL-FEMALE

Lynne Copland West Garioch

Lee Fairfull Inverurie

Siobhan Tolland Dundee City West

OPEN

Lynne Copland West Garioch

Josh Mennie Peterhead

Andy Oliver Stonehaven & The Mearns

Alan Petrie Peterhead

Siobhan Tolland Dundee City West

Nominations 2022

SOUTH SCOTLAND

ALL-FEMALE

No nominations received.

OPEN

Bendor Grosvenor

Central Borders

David Stothard Annan

WEST SCOTLAND

ALL-FEMALE

Summer Chen Kirkintilloch

OPEN

Graeme McCormick Helensburgh

Ewan Summersbey Lomond North

OUTWITH SCOTLAND

Paul Anderson London

CONFERENCES COMMITTEE

ALL-FEMALE (FIVE to be elected)

Shazia Babar

Pollokshields East

Shelly Ann Brown Leith

Christina Cannon Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn

Summer Chen Kirkintilloch

Sarah Cheung Edinburgh Central

Lynne Copland West Garioch

Laura Doherty Glasgow Shettleston

UNOPPOSED

UNOPPOSED

Emma Hendrie Glasgow Shettleston

Alexandra MacRae

Arbroath & District

Susi McDonald Gilmerton

OPEN (FIVE to be elected)

Malcolm Balfour

Clydebank

Amjid Bashir Glasgow Cathcart

Alexander Belic Southside Central

Declan Blench Glasgow Provan

Shelly Ann Brown Leith

Graham Campbell Glasgow Provan

Christina Cannon Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn

Summer Chen Kirkintilloch

Sarah Cheung Edinburgh Central

Laura Doherty Glasgow Shettleston

Chris Hanlon West Fife & Coastal Villages

Simon Hayter Gilmerton

Emma Hendrie Glasgow Shettleston

Jeewantha Kalu Arachchige Perth River Tay

Norman MacLeod Crossmyloof

Alexandra MacRae

Arbroath & District

Graeme McCormick Helensburgh

Andy Oliver Stonehaven & The Mearns

Munro Ross Inverness City

Ali Salamati East Kilbride

Grant Thoms Bannockburn

Michael Wallace Newington & Southside

Nominations 2022

MEMBER CONDUCT COMMITTEE

NINE to be elected

Shazia Babar

Pollokshields East

Malcolm Balfour Clydebank

Ann Ballinger Cumbernauld

Amjid Bashir Glasgow Cathcart

Michael Blackshaw North Liberton

Declan Blench Glasgow Provan

Gordon Copland Bannockburn

Chris Hanlon West Fife & Coastal Villages

Simon Hayter Gilmerton

Emma Hendrie Glasgow Shettleston

Graham Leadbitter Elgin

Norman MacLeod Crossmyloof

Russell McLean London

Rob Munn

Leith Walk

Alex Orr Meadows Morningside

Bailey-Lee Robb Beath

Munro Ross Inverness City

Joe Smith

Elaine Wylie

Shetland Islands

Blairgowrie, Rattray & District

CONDUCT APPEALS COMMITTEE

SEVEN to be elected

David Birkett

Peterhead

UNOPPOSED

Roderick Campbell Meadows Morningside UNOPPOSED

Summer Chen Kirkintilloch UNOPPOSED

Lachlan McNeill Glasgow Shettleston UNOPPOSED

Anis Miah

Lee Mills

City of Dunfermline UNOPPOSED

Caird & Craigie UNOPPOSED

Ali Salamati East Kilbride UNOPPOSED

Biographies

Biographies

Danny Aston (Craigentinny/ Duddingston)

Re-elect me to continue standing up for Lothian on NEC. Secured post-council election review and early Westminster candidate selection. Keep NEC focused on delivering independence.

Shazia Babar (Pollokshields East)

Experienced and dedicated community activist with extensive knowledge of internal party processes, determined to be a strong passionate voice for equality, fairness & Independence.

Malcolm Balfour (Clydebank)

Joined Party 1975. I have been a member of both the Members Conduct Committee and conference committee for a number of years former Glasgow Councillor.

Ann Ballinger (Cumbernauld)

Current member of Conduct Committee and Councillor. Believe our conduct should reflect the Independent Scotland we work to achieve.

Amjid Bashir (Glasgow Cathcart)

Justice of Peace, presided over hearings/court sessions. Weighed up evidence in fair and unbiased manner, judged accordingly. Am organised and hardworking professional. Team player.

Alexander Belic (Southside Central) Keen on independence and ensuring we have the internal capacity & policy platform to deliver it at the next opportunity. Please vote for me.

Ellie Bird (Forth)

Re-elect me to continue speaking up for Lothian on NEC. Harnessed the creativity and experience of our grassroots membership. Local knowledge will win independence.

David Birkett (Peterhead)

Seeking a seat on the Conduct Appeals Committee where I will seek to assist our members to become better members and activists.

Michael Blackshaw (North Liberton)

I believe the SNP need to allow members more say in the mechanics of party policy and process. I run The Edinburgh Yes Hub.

Declan Blench (Glasgow Provan)

Re-Elect Declan Blench for Member Conduct Committee and Conferences Committee.

Shelly Ann Brown (Leith)

Helping to deliver impactful resolutions that promote an Independent & Progressive Scotland, reflecting the needs and aspirations of its citizens. Please vote Shelly.

Peter Cairns (Dingwall & District)

Current member of PDC for Highlands & Islands and chair of PDC Defence Working Group seeking re-election to continue working on policy.

Graham Campbell (Glasgow Provan)

Co-Convener SNP Socialists, Anti-racist Climate change & Community activist; successful BAME Convener on NECrecord level of BAME SNP activists & candidates.

Michelle Campbell (Renfrewshire Riverside)

Local activist & Councillor in Renfrewshire, priority to delivering independence and equalities. Communities are core to thriving. Leadership focus on bringing people along the journey.

Roderick Campbell (Meadows Morningside)

Advocate, Former MSP for North East Fife and Convener of Edinburgh Southern Constituency Association. Arbitrator and Mediator. Current Convener of the Committee.

Christina Cannon (Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn)

Helping to get the party match fit for independence and representing Glasgow’s members.

Summer Chen (Kirkintilloch)

Working together and support each other. Provide the support to turn desired practices into reality. Committed to transparency and accountability to members as representative.

Sarah Cheung (Edinburgh Central)

Stepping up for the Lothians to ensure we get a progressive and equal Scotland for everyone. Passionate in protecting the vulnerable from the Westminster system.

Ian Cockburn (Wester Ross)

I will work for all the Highlands and Islands in making their voices heard and strengthening the regions position. My focus will be on Independence.

Gordon Copland (Bannockburn)

A member now for more years than I care to remember. A youthful 69 years old and Vice Convener of Bannockburn and Eastern Villages SNP.

Lynne Copland (West Garioch)

Hoping to continue on PDC to increase participation of branches in policy development and submission of conference resolutions. Being on working groups particularly rewarding.

Laura Doherty (Glasgow Shettleston) Glasgow City Councillor and Shettleston SNP Branch Secretary.

Marshall Douglas (Tweeddale) Councillor. Have been a member of the SNP for many years and has held office at Branch and constituency level.

Andrew Ewen (Leith Walk)

It’s time to renew our NEC and hold our party leadership to account. Elect me to secure the transparency we deserve.

Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride)

Retired Member of Scottish Parliament for East Kilbride.

Lee Fairfull (Inverurie)

Local Councillor for Torry and Ferryhill on Aberdeen City Council.

Lorna Finn (Glasgow Provan)

Incumbent National Secretary. I’ve been working hard to implement changes to our internal processes and procedures. Work is underway, I’m eager to finish the job.

Biographies

Kirsteen Fraser (Glasgow Anniesland)

I’m the current Equalities Convener; a strong trade union activist, an experienced student welfare officer and trainee counsellor looking to finalise reforms made this year.

Derek Glen (West Fife & Coastal Villages) Councillor for Dunfermline Central, SNP spokesperson for Finance, Economy & Strategic Planning on Fife Council, Trustee of Dunfermline Carnegie Trust, SEStran Board Member.

Bendor Grosvenor (Central Borders) I’m an art historian and broadcaster, interested in developing policy to maximise the Independence vote in the Borders, where I live.

Jahangir Hanif (Southside Central)

I am a long serving SNP activist and a former Glasgow City Councillor with previous experience of serving on internal party processes.

Qasim Hanif (Southside Central)

Independence is closer than ever before, we need our strongest and most diverse team to reach out to every community and every person in Scotland.

Chris Hanlon (West Fife & Coastal Villages)

I am dedicated to the achievement of Independence. I will do all in my power to ensure that, this year, that goal becomes inevitable.

John Haston (Grangemouth)

Keen to be involved at a more national level, I would love to be part of the NEC to gain a greater understanding.

Simon Hayter (Gilmerton)

Member Since 2004, Former Branch Convener, Organiser, Secretary and Treasurer, Campaign Manager Winning 3 Elections, 2014 Yes Regional Organiser, Campaigned in Almost Every SNP Campaign.

Emma Hendrie (Glasgow Shettleston) Previous NEC member, current Conferences Committee member seeking election to Member Conduct and Conferences Committees. Committed to getting the party fighting fit for October 2023.

Kirsty Jarvis (Mid Fife & Glenrothes) Mid Fife & Glenrothes Branch Secretary/ Political Education Officer, former Member Conduct Committee Member, experience of serving on both local and national committees.

Jeewantha Kalu Arachchige (Perth River Tay)

I’m Member of Scottish National Party and I would like to work for Scottish Independence Referendum campaign as an Active and Full time member.

Alex Kerr (Glasgow Shettleston) Representing Glasgow on NEC since 2018. Experienced and dedicated activist focussed on making sure our party is fighting fit for the independence campaign.

Melanie Kinney (Strathtay & Dunkeld) 25+ years marketing/communications experience, Masters in Business Administration, member of the liaison committee’s strategy group for successful Perth & Kinross 2022 election, rural Strathtay resident.

Jen Layden (Glasgow Shettleston)

Experienced in all aspects of campaign organisation and elections. Successfully led Glasgow council campaign in 2022, and election agent for Westminster and Scottish Parliament.

Graham Leadbitter (Elgin)

Member over 25 years. Councillor 15 years, 4 as Council Leader. Officer bearer and Campaign Organiser. Indy campaign needs good discipline and fair hearings.

Mhairi Love (Glasgow Provan) Researcher and economics enthusiast. Mum and feminist. Social justice for all.

Norman MacLeod (Crossmyloof) Glasgow City Councillor. Advocates parity of esteem for Local Councillors; Universal Free School Meals for all; Free Public Transport; and the Restoration of National Council.

Alexandra MacRae (Arbroath & District) Arbroath & District Branch and SNP Trade Union Group. Improve accountability by NEC to membership. Ensure HQ Staff get support and training.

Ian Massie (Perth St Johnstoun) Honesty, dependability, energy and experience are the qualities I’ll take to the NEC. I’m a listening person who will enact on your questions and concerns.

Jonathan McColl (Vale of Leven) Ask me anything jonathan@valesnp.scot / 07926739642 (Text/WhatsApp).

Absolute focus on Independence. No more distractions at NEC. Learn about me at www.mccoll.scot/NEC.

Graeme McCormick (Helensburgh) Governance review member; proposed expedited complaints handling; challenged SG taxation policy; encouraged wider constitutional law submission to Supreme Court; launched West Scotland YES campaign.

Susi McDonald (Gilmerton)

As an EU national having worked for some years on equalities and environmental issues, held officer positions and vice chair at national environmental group.

Russell McLean (London)

London Branch VC (2014-2018) & Convener (2018-2021). Current PDC Member for Branches outwith Scotland. A united SNP will deliver a fairer, equal, independent Scotland.

Lachlan McNeill (Glasgow Shettleston) Advocate (Retired). Convener SNP Glasgow Shettleston CB. First Convener of Disciplinary Committee under the 2004 Constitution.

Josh Mennie (Peterhead)

Vote Josh Mennie #1 - Empowering our membership toward an equal and fair Independent Scotland. Head of Office & Public Affairs for Karen Adam MSP.

Anis Miah (City of Dunfermline) Beautiful Independence is on the horizon. Please put your vote of confidence in me, help me do my part in delivering a Free Scotland.

Lee Mills (Caird & Craigie) Independence is our only route forward. Electing me onto the NEC will ensure this becomes the main priority. I will be your advocate. Always.

Biographies

Rob Munn (Leith Walk)

SNP Member since 1986, former councillor and constituency convener. Will act with fairness and responsibility if elected.

Andy Oliver (Stonehaven & The Mearns)

PEO at Stonehaven, Secretary of Angus North & Mearns CA. To get the Party battle ready for the Indy campaign, we need policy, policy, policy.

Alex Orr (Meadows Morningside)

With a long history of involvement with the SNP, I welcome the opportunity to continue this by assisting the party in any way I can.

Kelly Parry (Bonnyrigg & Loanhead)

Local Government Convener 2020present, Council Leader for Midlothian Council. Vote Kelly Parry #1.

Alan Petrie (Peterhead)

Putting the North East voice at the heart of policy making and making sure we have policy that works across all of Scotland.

Sameeha Rehman (Coatbridge & Chryston)

Dedicated community activist and experienced party member, with the passion, skills and drive to represent the SNP in the interests of Scotland and independence.

Bailey-Lee Robb (Beath)

A hardworking local councillor, determined and committed on delivering independence for the people of Mid Scotland and Fife in 2023.

Munro Ross (Inverness City)

(Re)-elect very experienced activist, locally and nationally, including Community Council, Trades Council, UNISON. Usually Convener, Secretary, Treasurer. Retired accountant, Highland Council. Active sports official.

Ali Salamati (East Kilbride)

First ever SNP-BAME elected politician in South Lanarkshire, Passionate about Scottish Independence, professional manager, decades of experience serving community on Boards of several charitable organisations.

Oluwole Shokunbi (Greater Pollok & Cardonald)

Olu, as the SNP BAME Network NEC Delegate, worked tirelessly to ensure that the party’s BAME members felt heard, welcomed, and empowered.

Joe Smith (Shetland Islands)

I am passionate about the SNP policies and a vote for me is a vote to have a voice speak up!

David Stothard (Annan)

I am invested in supporting members to learn what is done at all levels of the party to increase engagement and support during campaigns.

Ewan Summersbey (Lomond North)

Shaping Scotland’s future is an important, exciting role. I’m up for the challenge! I’ll bring experience from the NHS and the voluntary sector to PDC.

Grant Thoms (Bannockburn)

Editor of Scots Independent, election agent, former councillor, served on NEC (2006-2018), lecturer by day, member since 1985, zero tolerance to inappropriate behaviour!

Siobhan Tolland (Dundee City West)

I will continue improving communication across the Northeast and help coordinate a North East Strategy for independence over this vital year.

Tom Ullathorne (Livingston East) Livingston East Branch Convener. Almond Valley CA Organiser. Elected to West Lothian Council in 2021 by-election. Socialist. Wants to link ordinary members and the leadership.

Michael Wallace (Newington & Southside)

Treasurer of branch which submitted motions to give better representation of ordinary members on NEC and real accountability on policy; as NOT on conference agenda.

Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine)

MSP for 15 years. Held many elected posts in the party and on NEC this past year. In this vital year an experienced crew required.

Elaine Wylie (Blairgowrie, Rattray & District)

Convener - Member Conduct Committee, SNP member 29 years, CA/WCC/ CCC secretary, office manager to John Swinney & Pete Wishart. Independence is close, let’s keep our discipline!

Get your photo taken at the SNP Conference Photobooth and remember to tag yourself and people you know when they appear on the SNP Facebook Page.

Reports 2022

REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Lorna Finn, Convener of the Conference Committee

The Conferences Committee would once again wish to express their thanks to all branches and members who submitted resolutions for party conference. We appreciate that it is disappointing when resolutions are not accepted for the long list but we have been at pains to be as inclusive as we can be at that stage of proceedings. Where a submission is competent, is not a repetition of existing policy, or is not covered by work that is already underway, then the Committee will tend to add it to the long list in the first instance. Not only does that allow the potential for improvement via submitted amendments, but it also means that those taking part in the Delegates Choice exercise have a wider range of resolutions to consider.

As ever – whether you were successful in getting a submission onto the long list or not – we would encourage engagement with the Policy Development Committee when drafting resolutions. That allows for simple errors to be corrected and even just for guidance on stylistic issues which may be the difference between making the long list or not.

The Conferences Committee remain happy to offer feedback when resolutions are not successful. The Committee is strongly of the opinion that, wherever possible, resolutions should be discussed and adjusted by other bodies of the party ahead of submission to conference.

The Conferences Committee received a total of 127 resolutions and met to discuss these on 19th and 21st July. There were 51 policy resolutions and 6 internal resolutions on the long list, including the internal resolution from the National Executive Committee that would see a re-established National Council. We agreed amendments on 30th August ahead of the Delegates’ Choice vote commencing, with those 51 policy resolutions going to registered delegates at the deadline of 2nd September receiving the feedback survey.

Time pressures on the agenda, coupled with a lengthier internal session than would normally be the case, meant that only 25 of the policy resolutions could make the Final Agenda. As ever, the Committee were guided as far as possible by the views expressed through Delegate Choice, with the 20 resolutions ranked highest all making the Final Agenda. The submitted resolution on the Cost of Living was withdrawn by the Committee, and we will instead focus a Topical and Emergency Resolution session solely on that topic.

It’ll be a pleasure to see delegates in person again after such a long enforced absence for Conference in its physical form, and I hope that the Committee’s deliberations will make it an enjoyable and interesting forum for everyone in attendance.

REPORTS OF THE NATIONAL OFFICE BEARERS

The reports of National Office Bearers and others are available for members on the events section of the member’s hub. They can also be accessed by scanning the QR code here:

Conference delegates can submit a written question to be answered by the office bearer, affiliate or parliamentary group. Questions can be submitted until 17h00 on Sunday 9 October. The online form is available at https://bit.ly/3CfDuMN

Answers will be posted on the member’s hub and emailed to the delegate submitting the question.

The form can also be accessed by scanning here:

There is also an opportunity during Session 5 to ask questions in person, but given the number of resolutions in that session, delegates may find it easier to submit a question using the online form.

Party

St Andrew’s Dinner 2022

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW VENUE

The Party’s annual national

Andrew’s celebration

venue.

IT’S BACK… BOOK NOW!

Glasgow Marriott Hotel on

Street will host the biggest event in the

social calendar on Friday 25 November

Glasgow Marriott Hotel 500 Argyle Street Glasgow, G3 8RR

Friday 25 November Tickets £85 per person

AT

BOOK NOW

Tickets are priced

Should you require

please call David on

Book now at the

stand. Should unforeseen

the cancellation of the

course be fully

Once again both the St Andrew’s Dinner and the SNP Awards are kindly sponsored by renewable energy producers Community Windpower and we thank the company for their continued support.

Standing

Standing Orders for National Conference

01 Quorum

The quorum is as defined under the Constitution. A quorum count may be called for at any time during National Conference. Two minutes warning must be given before a count is taken. After this period the doors to the hall are sealed and no individuals admitted until the quorum count is completed.

02 Preparation of Agenda

2.1 Conferences Committee is responsible for the preparation of the Agenda for National Conference and has power–

a) to decide whether resolutions, amendments, nominations and other matters pertaining to the Conference are in accordance with the Constitution and Rules and Standing Orders of the Party;

b) to revise and amend resolutions and amendments or to incorporate in one resolution a number of similar resolutions from several notifiable bodies, and to rewrite the resolutions received, provided always that the principles underlying the resolution or amendment must not be infringed;

c) to categorise all resolutions received under the following headings— (i) put forward unamended, (ii) put forward amended for presentation purposes, (iii) put forward composited, (iv) rejected as existing policy,

(v) rejected in favour of other resolutions, and

(vi) rejected for other reasons. This information will be held at Headquarters and supplied to notifiable bodies on request after publication of the final agenda;

d) to place resolutions and amendments on the agenda; and

e) to decide the order of business to be transacted, the placing of items on the agenda, and the approximate time to be allocated to items.

03 Undischarged Business

3.1 The Convener of the Session should endeavour to leave five minutes free of business prior to conclusion of each Session to allow all motions for which no amendments have been submitted and have not been discussed to be put formally to Conference.

3.2 However, business undischarged at the end of a Session may be put to a subsequent Session if time permits for discussion.

04 Order of Business

4.1 At the beginning of Conference, the motion to approve the report of Conferences Committee must be passed by a simple majority.

4.2 The order of any item on the agenda may be altered on a motion from the Chair, or the floor, passed by a simple majority of those voting.

4.3 The Convener of the Session is the sole judge of the order in which motions and amendments are put.

05 Emergency Business

5.1 Business not on the written agenda, other than topical and emergency motions defined in 5.2 and 5.3 below, may be discussed only by consent of a majority of two-thirds of those voting, except as provided for in 5.4 below.

5.2 Topical Motions must relate to matters currently topical during Conference, which could not have been foreseen at the time the Agenda was compiled. They must not relate to internal, disciplinary or constitutional matters. Topical motions are debated in the ordinary manner provided for in these Standing Orders.

5.3 Emergency Motions must relate to matters currently topical during Conference, which could not have been foreseen at the time the Agenda was compiled. Emergency motions, which are not subject to debate in the normal manner, must be of a non-contentious nature which are likely to achieve overwhelming acceptance by Conference.

5.4 Any member wishing to bring before Conference emergency business not on the written agenda must inform the National Secretary before the commencement of the daily meeting of Conferences Committee.

06 Convener

6.1 The Business Convener of the Party, in person or by delegation to another member of the National Executive Committee, convenes proceedings except as provided for in 6.10 below. The Party Leader retains the right to convene the meeting.

6.2 The Convener of the Session is in charge of the proceedings and conducts them in accordance with recognised procedure as amplified by Standing Orders.

6.3 All motions, amendments, speeches, points of order and other business is addressed to the Chair.

6.4 The decision of the Convener of the Session on procedure, on all points of order and on choice of speaker is final and conclusive, subject only to the challenge of a motion of No Confidence in the Chair as provided for in 6.10 below.

6.5 Only one speaker may speak or be on their feet at any one time, save that any member may interrupt a speaker on a point of order. The Convener of the Session rules on who has the floor and the other member must immediately resume their seat.

Standing Orders for National Conference

6.6 When the Convener of the Session rises, all members standing must resume their seats and maintain silence until the Convener resumes their seat.

6.7 Any member who, after being requested by the Convener of the Session to resume their seat and maintain silence, persistently refuses to do so, will forthwith be named by the Chair and without further discussion will be suspended from that Session and be requested to leave the Conference Chamber for the remainder of that Session. No motion, discussion, point of order, or interruption is permitted until the offending member has left the Conference Chamber.

6.8 If the member concerned persists in defying the Chair by refusing to leave the Conference Chamber or by contriving to speak or interrupt proceedings after the procedure in 6.7 has been invoked, they will be automatically suspended from that Session and from attending the rest of that National Conference, the National Executive Committee and of National Assembly for the next succeeding three calendar months. If they, subsequent to the National Conference at which the incident occurred, submit in writing to the Chair an unqualified apology and a specific assurance that they will in future obey the rulings of the Chair, the National Executive Committee, may, if it thinks fit, raise the suspension.

6.9 If any member is suspended from meetings of National Conference, the National Executive Committee or National Assembly more than once during any one year, the National Secretary must, at the next succeeding meeting of the National Executive Committee to that meeting at which the member was last suspended, formally name them for suspension from all meetings of National Conference, the National Executive Committee and National Assembly up to the next following National Conference.

6.10 Any member, not being the aggrieved member, may, on the Convener of the Session refusing to alter a ruling, move a motion of No Confidence in the Chair; If this is seconded by another member, other than the aggrieved member, a temporary Convener – the next in order respectively of the Depute Leader, whom failing the National Secretary, whom failing, another available member of the National Executive Committee – must take the Chair and without discussion put the motion to the meeting.

6.11

If the motion is supported by a simple majority of those voting, the temporary Convener continues in the Chair for that session. If the motion is not carried, the original Convener of the Session resumes the Chair.

6.12

Any member who has moved or seconded a motion of No Confidence in the Chair is not permitted to move or second another such motion during the same session.

07 Conduct of Debate

7.1 It is expected that members remain in the Conference Chamber throughout a Session. A member requiring to leave must do so between speeches, and with as little disturbance as possible.

7.2 The ruling of the Convener of the Session on the competency of any motion or amendment is final.

7.3 Each delegate who wishes to speak must complete a card – obtainable from the Stewards – in respect of each item on the Conference Agenda on which they wish to speak. This should be returned to the Stewards well in advance of the calling of the motion.

7.4 Movers of motions (including the direct negative) or Reports are allowed five minutes to speak and other speakers, including movers of amendments, are allowed three minutes. The mover’s reply is allowed time as provided for in 7.6 below. Additional time is given at the discretion of the Convener of the Session to movers of major policy resolutions or Reports and movers of amendments thereto.

7.5 It is open to any member to move that a speaker be further heard. The motion, if seconded, is put to the meeting without discussion and is carried if passed by a majority of those voting. When an extension of time is allowed, it must be for not more than three minutes.

7.6 No member is entitled to speak more than once on any one motion unless on a point of order, except that movers of motions and amendments may reply and be allowed two minutes for this, the movers of motions having the opportunity of closing the debate. In replying, members must strictly confine themselves to answering previous speakers and must not introduce new matter.

7.7 Motions or amendments, other than the direct negative, not seconded will not be discussed.

7.8 Points of order must deal with the conduct or procedure of the debate.

7.9 Any mover of a motion or amendment to the Constitution or the Rules and Standing Orders may accept an amendment or amendments to this with the consent of a seconder and with the agreement of the Conference.

7.10 Any mover may withdraw a motion or amendment with the consent of a seconder and with the agreement of the Conference.

Standing Orders for National Conference

08 Competent Amendments

8.1 Competent amendments and procedural motions are as detailed below.

8.2 Competent amendments to motions other than amendments to the Constitution or Rules are–

a) to amend a motion by substitution, deletion or addition; b) to move the direct negative; or c) to remit the whole motion back to the proposer of the motion.

8.3 Competent amendments to amendments to the Constitution or Rules are–a) to amend a Constitutional Amendment or amendment to the Rules by substitution, deletion or addition; or b) to move the direct negative.

8.4 Competent amendments to reports of National Office Bearers and others presented to Conference for approval are–a) to note the Report; b) to amend the report by deletion of a part, providing notice of the amendment has been given to the Convener of the Session before the debate on that report has commenced. Such amendments will only be accepted at the discretion of the Convener of the Session; or c) to move the direct negative.

8.5 Procedural motions are–a) to adjourn the debate; b) to put the question; or c) to move “Next Business”.

8.6 Procedural motions under 8.5 may not be moved or seconded by a delegate who has previously spoken in the debate and must be put to Conference without further discussion, except that under 8.5(b) the Convener of the Session may submit the motion to Conference only if satisfied that due balance has been observed in the debate and must allow the proposer of the original substantive motion to exercise their right of reply (under Standing Order 7.6) on making a claim to do so.

8.7 Amendments under 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4, and procedural motions under 8.5(a) and 8.5(b) are carried if passed by a majority of those voting and procedural motions under 8.5(c) are carried by a two-thirds majority.

8.8 The Convener of the Session may at their discretion permit a vote without discussion on an oral amendment to any motion, provided that the amendment does not alter the sense of the motion.

09 Voting

9.1 All members of National Conference specified under the Constitution are entitled to vote on any matter before National Conferences.

9.2 All members of National Conference have an equal entitlement to vote, except that the Convener of the Session has a casting vote.

9.3 Each member entitled to vote at National Conference is issued with a credential card bearing their name and indicating their status.

9.4 The Chief Steward or Depute Chief Steward, appointed by the National Executive Committee, is responsible for the counting of the votes for and against motions and amendments and report to the Convener of the Session, who announces the result to the Conference.

9.5 The Convener of the Session may instruct a recount to be taken or, on a motion for a recount being passed, a recount must be taken. On a recount being called the doors to the hall are sealed and no individuals admitted until the recount has been completed.

9.6 If no recount be demanded, or when a final count has been taken, the Convener of the Session declares that the motion has or has not been carried, and no further discussions is permitted.

9.7 Voting by proxy is not permitted.

10 Dissent

It is open to any member to have their dissent recorded from any decision or ruling.

11 Suspension of Standing Orders etc.

11.1 Any motion to suspend Standing Orders is carried if seconded and if supported by two-thirds of those voting. A suspension of Standing Orders is for a fixed period of time or for one item of business only.

11.2 The Conference has the right, by majority vote, to ask any member to withdraw from the meeting.

11.3 When the Convener of the Session formally leaves the Chair, no further business can be discharged during that Session.

Floor Maps

Maps GROUND FLOOR

Essential Information

Essential Information 2022

PLENARY

Conference sessions will be taking place in the P&J Live Arena of The Event Complex Aberdeen. Please use the venue’s main entrance on arrival at SNP Annual Conference. Doors will open at 09h00 on Saturday 8 October.

Exhibition Area Conference Session Conference Session (Morning) (Afternoon)

Saturday 8 October 09h00 - 17h00 10h30 - 12h15 14h00 - 16h15

Sunday 9 October 09h00 - 17h00 10h30 - 12h15 14h00 - 16h15

Monday 10 October 09h00 - 16h30 10h30 - 12h15 14h00 - 16h00

ADMISSION

The Event Complex Aberdeen operates a security check at the main entrance, where attendees will pass through a set of security arches which will detect any items that need to be checked. Once through this part if you chose to bring a bag, security staff may ask that you open the bag to show what is in it. You may save yourself time by not bringing any non-essential bags. Please also be aware that you may be asked to deposit bags in the cloakroom.

Please Note: Admission to conference is subject to attendees having the relevant pass. Passes must be worn and visible at all times. If, for any reason, you have registered for a pass and do not have it with you, please make your way to the SNP Registration Desk where a SNP staff member will be available to assist you.

SECURITY

There will be security staff present at all times throughout the Conference venue. In addition to assisting with arrangements, security staff will be checking credentials and membership cards on entry to each conference location.

Please follow these simple security guidelines:

• Cooperate with all security staff, allowing your credentials to be examined at entry points to each location.

• Suitcases and large rucksacks are permitted into the venue but should be checked into the Cloakroom on arrival. All bags may be subject to a search by security staff.

• Take all of your belongings with you and do not leave bags unattended at any time.

• Report anything suspicious to the nearest steward or member of staff.

Remember: Onsite stewards will also be asking delegates to show their accreditation and membership cards to allow access to the Arena.

FIRE SAFETY PROCEDURE

As advised by the venue, in the event of an evacuation there will be both audible and visual alarms. The PAVA system will instruct persons to leave the venue via a pre-recorded message. Upon hearing this you must leave the building immediately, following the directions from stewards to any specified exits. Please proceed to the designated assembly point as directed by the stewards.

HEADQUARTERS DESK

The SNP Headquarters desk will be situated in the Concourse. Staff will be on call to assist you with any questions or queries regarding conference.

WIFI

There will be free WiFi available throughout the complex as provided by The Event Complex Aberdeen. On entry to the conference, lease select “P&J Live Free Wifi” from the available Networks, click on connect and this will bring you to the P&J Live web page and then click on connect.

QUIET ROOMS

The Quiet Rooms are situated in Arena Box 1 and 3 on the first floor of The Event Complex Aberdeen. These are open access rooms that conference attendees can use for a variety of purposes. You may just need a break from the sensory load of Conference, or somewhere to use for contemplation or prayer. Whatever your purpose for using the room, all attendees are welcome.

If you are in the quiet room, please be respectful of other room users. The idea of the room is to keep noise to a minimum. Mobile calls and noise from electronic devices is strictly forbidden and conversations should be conducted quietly. If you do have to make or take a phone call, please move outside the room before calling or answering.

FIRST AID

First Aid posts are clearly marked throughout the Conference venue. If you require medical assistance please notify the venue stewards who will be able to assist you further. If a First Aid professional is needed, a steward or member of staff will be able to facilitate this.

LOST PROPERTY

The lost property point is located at the security office. Please make your way to the main reception if you have found or have an enquiry regarding any lost property.

SMOKING

The Event Complex Aberdeen is a no-smoking building, this includes the use of e-cigarettes and vaping. There are designated smoking points outside the building for those who wish to smoke.

Essential Information 2022

ACCESSIBILITY

We aim to make SNP Conference as accessible as possible for all members and visitors. If you require additional assistance in any regard, SNP staff will be situated at the desk in the concourse. Please do not hesitate to ask for support at any time throughout your Conference experience.

There are a number of provisions in the Main Arena to help ensure that conference sessions are as accessible as possible for everyone attending conference. These include:

• A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter on stage at all times.

• Induction Hearing Loops located throughout the venue and in the Main Arena.

• On screen subtitles on the large screens in the Main Arena during all debates and speeches.

• A range of accessible seating. If needed, please let either a steward or a member of the SNP Headquarters team know your requirements.

Facilities

The Event Complex Aberdeen is fully accessible across all levels. There are also a number of accessible facilities to assist conference visitors with individual requirements. These include:

• Changing Places: There is a spacious and accessible toilet and changing space located on the concourse level. This space includes changing facilities and feeding chair for parents with young children to make use of if they prefer a more private environment.

• Accessible Toilets: Located throughout the venue on all levels. These are clearly marked and signposted.

• Accessible Parking: Located on the ground and subterranean levels.

• Induction Hearing Loops: Available on site.

• Accessible Seating: Please speak to a steward or member of staff if you require assistance.

• Assistance Dogs: Assistance Dogs are welcome at the venue. Please contact a member of staff if you require further assistance.

• Quiet Room: Located in Arena Boxes 1 and 3 on the first floor of The Event Complex Aberdeen This is an open access room that conference attendees can use for a variety of purposes.

• Designated Wheelchair Areas: There are lifts and additional public areas designated for wheelchair use onsite.

LOCAL INFORMATION

Travel

Car: The Event Complex Aberdeen is located just off Aberdeen’s Western Peripheral Route. Car parking charges will apply. More information on parking can be found further down in the ‘Parking’ section. Please also be aware that the drop off and pick up maximum wait time is 30 minutes and parking charges may apply if you exceed this time limit.

Cycling: Bicycle parking is available in both the overground and underground car parks and all spaces are accessible 24/7.

On Foot: The Event Complex Aberdeen is 1.5 miles from both Aberdeen International Airport and Dyce Train Station and is approximately 5 miles from Aberdeen City Centre.

Bus: The Jet Service 727 takes passengers directly to The Event Complex Aberdeen. This regular service runs from Union Square bus station via Great Northern Road and takes approximately 30 minutes from the City Centre. This service accepts both cash and card.

Parking

There is extensive overground and underground parking situated onsite. Car parking charges will apply and can be paid for with both card and cash. Pay on exit is required by entering your vehicle registration at any one of our machines located in the car parks. Please note, if paying by cash, payment machines only take coins and not notes.

Up to 24 hour after you have left the venue, you can pay for your parking on the APCOA Connect App. Once you have downloaded the app, use location code 6680 for the Sub-T Car Park (underground) and location code 2356 for the Surface Car Park.

Cash Facilities

There are no cash machines available within The Event Complex Aberdeen. Contactless payments are welcome if you are purchasing from The Event Complex Aberdeen facilities. However, cash may be required if you are purchasing from any of the Conference Exhibition Stalls. The nearest cash machines to the venue are:

• Co-Op, Sclattie Park Shopping Centre, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9QR

• Aberdeen International Airport, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 7DU

Essential Information 2022

USEFUL NUMBERS

Taxis

ComCab Aberdeen 01224 353535

Aberdeen Taxis 01224 200200

Rainbow City Taxis Limited 01224 878787

Aberdeen Taxis 4 U 01224 909090

Taxicall Aberdeen 01224 516615

Elite Group Aberdeen 01224 473112

Nearby Restaurants

Dyce Farm - Dining & Carvery

1A Dyce Drive, Aberdeen, AB21 0AF Tel: 01224 968605

Bankhead Inn

Bankhead Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9HQ 01224 712703

Four Mile Inn

Inverurie Road, Aberdeen, AB21 9BB Tel: 01224 712588

The Craighaar Hotel & Restaurants

Waterton Road, Aberdeen, AB21 9HS

Tel: 01224 712275

Offshore Bar & Grill

2 International Gate, Aberdeen, AB21 0BE Tel: 01224 608350

Jurys Inn Aberdeen Airport

Kitchen & Bar, Argyll Road, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 0AF Tel: 01224 43200

Dyce Tandoori

273 Stoneywood Road, Bucksburn, AB21 9JS Tel: 01224 710 303

MEMBER’S GUIDE

National Conference is the ultimate decision-making body of the SNP. As an SNP member, you have the unique opportunity to take part in this exciting process.

Arriving at Conference

Make sure that you have your delegate or member visitor pass and your SNP membership card as you will need both to gain entry into Conference. Upon entry into the conference venue, you will have the opportunity to pick up a lanyard and pass holder to enable you to display your pass. Your pass must be visible at all times as it will be checked regularly throughout the venue and every time you enter the Arena.

The Event Complex Aberdeen operates a security check at their main entrance. You may save yourself time by not bringing any non-essential bags. If you do have a bag with you, please allow for an extra few minutes to get through an additional security step. Please also be aware that you may be asked to deposit larger bags in the cloakroom.

Overview

There are three main elements to Conference:

• Plenary Sessions take place in the Main Arena are where delegates debate and vote on policy resolutions and listen to keynote speeches from party leaders. Although only delegates can contribute and vote in these debates, member visitors are also welcome and encouraged to observe these sessions.

• Fringe meetings are located at varying times and locations throughout the conference. They are an ideal way for members to take part in more focussed discussion around topical issues and policy with key stakeholders. The format generally follows a keynote speech from a representative from the sponsoring organisation and another from an elected SNP member. This is usually followed by a question and answer session between the fringe panel and the audience. Both delegates and member visitors can take part and contribute to these discussions. More details on individual fringe events can be found in the Fringe Programme section of the Conference Handbook.

Essential Information 2022

The timetable for Fringe Events is as follows:

Breakfast

Saturday 8 October

Lunchtime Evening

12h30 - 13h30 16h30 - 17h30

Sunday 9 October 09h15 - 10h15 12h30 - 13h30 16h30 - 17h30

Monday 10 October 09h15 - 10h15 12h30 - 13h30

The Maps section of the handbook will help guide you to the required room. Otherwise, you can ask a member of the team at the SNP Registration desk in the Main Concourse if you require further assistance in finding a fringe event.

• The Exhibition Hall is host to a number of organisations, both internal and external to the SNP, all of whom are there to engage with SNP members. Conference attendees are strongly encouraged to visit this area as it is a lively and essential part of the Conference experience.

Resolutions

There are five types of resolution which are debated in the plenary sessions:

• Policy Resolutions are the most common type of resolution at Conference, and they propose a policy position to be considered by delegates. If accepted, the resolution becomes SNP policy.

• Topical Resolutions are based on subjects that have arisen after the deadline for submitting resolutions has passed.

• Emergency Resolutions are based on issues that have arisen during the Conference itself.

• Constitutional Resolutions take place during internal sessions, which only SNP members can attend. Any amendment to the SNP’s constitution requires two-thirds of the delegates present in the hall to support the resolution for it to pass.

• Internal Resolutions can contain amendments to the rules of the party, rather than the constitution and only require a simple majority to pass. These are also dealt with in an internal session, as are other more general resolutions concerning internal governance arrangements.

Topical and Emergency Resolutions

Topical and Emergency Resolutions must be submitted for consideration by 09h30 on each of the days of conference by emailing the text to debates@snp.org.

Resolutions should be submitted by the Convener or the Secretary of a Branch, CA or affiliate; or by two delegates who are NEC Members, Parliamentarians or Councillors.

Topical and Emergency Resolutions will be displayed on the large screens in the Conference Session main Arena and read out by the Business Convener from the Stage. If however, you require additional assistance in this regard, please contact a member of the team at the SNP Headquarters desk ahead of the session.

Voting at Conference

As previously noted, only delegates can vote on resolutions. All votes are taken by a show of delegate cards, with a simple majority required to pass resolutions, amendments and “remit back”, unless the vote is on constitutional amendments which requires a two thirds majority.

Depending on the cards that have been submitted to the Chair, resolution voting may take place as follows:

• Amendments to the resolution

• The remit back

• The resolution itself, whether amended or unamended dependent on how the first vote went

• A direct negative may also be voted on opposing the resolution

Please Note: If there have been no amendments or cards put in against a resolution, the Chair may ask delegates to pass the resolution by acclaim.

Essential Information 2022

Speaking at Conference

To speak on a resolution during Conference, you must be a delegate. If you are a delegate and wish to speak in a debate, please follow the guidelines below:

1. Collect a “Request to Speak Card” from one of the stewards as early as possible. You can easily identify a steward as they will be pacing up and down the aisles in the Main Arena.

2. Fill out the card with your details and the details of the resolution you wish to speak on. Remember to tick the box for “First Time Speaker”!

3. Ensure that you have outlined whether you are speaking for or against the resolution and whether you are forwarding or otherwise contributing to the debate.

4. Return the “Request to Speak Card” to the steward ensuring that you show them your delegate pass and membership card. Your “Request to Speak Card” will then go to the Chair of the session who is usually the Business Convener.

If you are speaking in a debate, it is advisable that you make your way to the side of the stage at the beginning of your chosen resolution debate so you are ready to ascend the stage if called by the Chair.

The Chair of the session will call out those who have indicated they wish to speak in the debate. Please be aware that speakers do not always get called, this is often dependent on the number of people who have submitted cards, the time left in the session and whether you have already spoken at conference. Please note: Speakers are given a maximum of three minutes to speak on a resolution. This is extended to five minutes for anyone who is moving a resolution or moving a direct negative. It is perfectly normal for speakers to have prepared a speech beforehand so please don’t be hesitant about taking your own notes onto the stage.

If you require assistance filling out a speaker’s card, please inform a steward or a member of the SNP Headquarters team. There are a number of stewards present in the Arena and can usually be found standing along the edges of the room toward the front. Headquarters staff can be found at the main desk situated in the Concourse.

You can also submit a request to speak using the online form available at https://bit.ly/3RfNgmz

Or by scanning the QR code:

Social Events

Conference season is a fantastic opportunity to meet and interact with fellow SNP members, not only at the Conference itself, but at the various social events surrounding it. There is something for everyone as branches and affiliate organisations alike will often plan various entertainment and social functions in the evenings of conference. These events often double as a fundraising effort so it’s always a good idea to try and support them.

To find out what events are happening this year, have a look in the conference handbook for any adverts, or browse the Exhibition Hall where SNP organisations will often be selling tickets on stands.

National Party

St Andrew’s Dinner 2022

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW VENUE

The Party’s annual national St Andrew’s celebration returns this year at a new venue.

Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Argyle Street will host the biggest event in the SNP’s social calendar on Friday 25 November 2022.

IT’S BACK… BOOK NOW!

Glasgow Marriott Hotel 500 Argyle Street Glasgow, G3 8RR

Friday 25 November Tickets £85 per person

AT THE

BOOK NOW

Tickets are priced at

per person. Independence magazine subscribers receive a

discount on their first two tickets

members and supporters may reserve their

by

and how many places you wish to book.

events@snp.org with

Should you require further information please call David on

Jack on

. Book now at the Independence magazine stand. Should unforeseen circumstances result in the cancellation of the event, all tickets will of course be fully refunded.

Once again both the St Andrew’s Dinner and the SNP Awards are kindly sponsored by renewable energy producers Community Windpower and we thank the company for their continued support.