FREE public transport for all and improved daily travel connections between Scotland and its international neighbours are among the proposals in the SNP’s final conference agenda.
The full 19-page final programme for the event, to be held online, has been obtained by this paper with six resolutions on themes including plans for a post-pandemic recovery, the NHS, the green economy and social inclusion to be put to members over the three days.
The free public transport idea is put forward in a broader resolution on green ideas to help economic recovery post pandemic which also includes having cycle lanes on all urban roads.
"Conference believes all of Scotland’s urban road infrastructure should be planned on the basis of prioritising active travel and the Government should consider a cycling allowance scheme to support equal access to active travel," the motion says.
It adds: “Conference further believes that the provision of high quality, clean, frequent, reliable, extensive and comprehensive public transport – free at the point of use – is worth real consideration as we look to tackle the climate emergency."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will address the conference on the final day – St Andrew’s Day – right after a key motion on Scotland in the world has been discussed.
This resolution sets out plans for the country to strengthen ties with international neighbours, promising to improve transport connections with Ireland, Europe and the United States.
They include a daily ferry service for passengers and freight between Rosyth and mainland Europe to improve connections with Europe and to help ease potential disruption at ports in England once the UK leaves the single market at the end of this year.
“Conference calls on the Scottish Government to initiate discussions with ferry and port operators to run a daily passenger and freight service between Rosyth and mainland Europe in order to facilitate on-going trade and tourist activity as well as to alleviate potential blockages and delays to goods at south of England ports, as part of a wider strategy to encourage further freight and passenger links to our near neighbour,” it says.
READ MORE: SNP conference: Joanna Cherry-backed Plan B rejected for debate
“Conference calls on the Scottish Government to invest in rail and road infrastructure and open discussions with port operators to expand other necessary interconnected infrastructure to permit efficient freight, car and passenger operations from established Clyde ports to Ireland and onwards to the rest of Europe and freight operations to North America and beyond.”
A resolution on independence takes a prominent slot with the party recommitting to its founding goal.
The motion states: “Conference affirms that independence is about the right of people in Scotland to decide our own future. The people of this country have the right to get the governments we vote for; to protect our NHS; to have an economic policy geared to our needs.
“In an independent Scotland those rights will be guaranteed.”
It continues: “Conference believes we are at a turning point in Scotland’s history as we look to the future – in the aftermath of the global pandemic we will need to rebuild our economy and bring about a more equal, fairer society.
“The fundamental choice all of us who live here face is this: who can we best trust to care for Scotland as we chart this new course.”
As The National reported yesterday a new Plan B to achieve independence – backed by Joanna Cherry – was rejected for debate.
The amendment was lodged after as resolution put forward by Angus MacNeil and Chris McEleny was knocked back sparking fury among its supporters.
It will mean there will be no vote on an alternative way forward should Boris Johnson continue to reject a request for powers to be transferred to Holyrood to hold a referendum agreed by the UK and Scottish governments.
READ MORE: Angus MacNeil: Scotland will be bigger loser than Trump without Plan B for indyref2
The new Plan B had called for the SNP to set up a working group to consider all democratic and legitimate routes to independence and make recommendations on strategy.
The idea was suggested by Cherry, the Edinburgh South West MP, who had called for the SNP to “set up a group to work on gaming a copper-bottomed strategy, the details of which need not be advertised to the enemy”. It was submitted to the conference organisers by the Common Weal Group (CWG). Instead, the resolution backs setting up a National Assembly to discuss a way forward.
An SNP spokesman said: “There is a consensus an agreed referendum is the way to do this. A National Assembly to look at additional ways to hold a legal referendum has already been announced, and rather than restricting it to a select few, it offers the chance for any SNP member to input to that discussion, and that can only be a good thing.”
The conference takes place from November 28 to 30.
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