AN SNP group which saw its new Plan B to secure independence rejected by the party has warned “political parties which squander the energy and enthusiasm of their members do not prosper”.
The Common Weal Group (CWG), whose members tend to be drawn from the left of the party, said considerable time had been spent drafting its amendment to the resolution as well as working on “constructive ideas” for the conference on issues such as the currency options post-independence and UN-led nuclear disarmament.
“Like many others in the party the Common Weal Group has put a lot of time and effort into embracing the member-led democracy which has always been at the heart of the SNP,” said CWG convener Craig Berry.
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“We’ve put forward lots of constructive ideas that we know are very popular with party members and have supported ideas from others on everything from discussing independence strategy and currency options to reforming grouse moors and committing to UN-led nuclear disarmament.
“None of this has made it to the agenda. In fact very little of the amazing energy of our party’s activists seems to us to be factored into this conference at all.”
He added: “Political parties which squander the energy and enthusiasm of their members do not prosper.
“With crucial decisions on strategy and policy urgently needed ahead of what will be with what will hopefully be an era-defining election ahead, it is hard not to feel really disappointed.”
Berry went on to say that the CWG’s focus would now be one the SNP’s internal elections, which include the elections to the party’s ruling National Executive Committee and for president.
An online hustings for members to quiz the three candidates for President Michael Russell, Craig Murray and Corrie Wilson takes place this evening.
READ MORE: Alyn Smith accuses Women's Pledge and Common Weal groups of 'crossing a line'
Berry added: “Our focus now is on the SNP internal elections, which are a crucial opportunity for SNP members to make change happen. We will be working with members and branches across Scotland to elect an open, transparent, accountable NEC and Conference Committee who will represent the party grassroots and facilitate debate on the policy issues SNP members care about.”
The CWG ran a slate of candidates for the Holyrood elections, a move that was not popular among some in the party. Alyn Smith MP said it was wrong for the group – along with another internal group the Women’s Pledge – for them to do so.
The CWG’s pledge includes land reform and public ownership and was backed by 11 candidates who won their races, including incumbent MSPs Ash Denham, Joan McAlpine, Christine Grahame and Stuart McMillan.
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