THE SNP have pledged to run annual Citizens’ Assemblies to discuss “complex” issues such as assisted dying, drug laws and reform of council tax.

The meetings would also be held ahead of an independence referendum to discuss the development of policies in areas which are currently reserved, such as social security, ­taxation and migration.

An assembly would be set up for those under the age of 16 with the aim of better representation for young people across the country and local assemblies will also be encouraged.

Scotland’s first Citizens’ Assembly was announced by Nicola Sturgeon at the SNP conference in 2019.

At the time she said she was inspired by the example of Ireland, which set up this type of discussion to reach consensus on controversial issues, including abortion.

Announcing the pledge to hold the assemblies if re-elected, SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: ­“Scotland’s first Citizens’ Assembly – ­established by the SNP – is proof that it is ­possible to do ‘politics differently’ in Scotland.

“After the great successes of the first Citizens’ Assembly and the ­Climate Assembly, if re-elected in May, we will run annual Citizens’ ­Assemblies to look at the complex ­issues facing Scotland.

“We believe that the people of Scotland should be at the very heart of decision making and involved in the major changes affecting their lives. It is for the people of Scotland to decide the kind of country we want to be. 

“It is also vital that the voices of Scotland’s future be heard, which is why we will establish a Citizens’ ­Assembly for those under the age of 16. This will ensure better representation for young people and children across the country.”

He added: “Politicians do not have all the answers and people’s voices need to be heard – especially young people.

“Only with both votes SNP on May 6 can we ensure those ­voices are heard and put Scotland’s future and recovery in Scotland’s hands – not Boris Johnson’s.”

More than 100 members of the public took part in a series of ­discussion events as part of Scotland’s first ­Citizens’ Assembly.

They were asked to consider ­questions around the type of country which should be built, how to overcome challenges such as those arising from Brexit and what work should be carried out to help people make informed choices about the future of the country.

In January this year it published 60 recommendations aimed at improving how the country is run, with the Scottish Government saying it would produce an action plan in response.

The recommendations included exploring the idea of a standard four-day working week, pushing for the abolition of zero-hour contracts, and establishing an anti-poverty task force in every council area.

Other suggestions included lowering the state pension age, increasing the National Minimum Wage for young people aged 18-24 to a National Living Wage and having permanent mental health liaison officers in every school.

Scotland should become the first in the world to ban the unnecessary use of non-biodegradable products, the report said, with the Government also urged to invest more in new ­industries such as green energy, ­science and technology.

When it was first announced, the Scottish Conservatives branded the assembly as an “SNP vanity project”, claiming it would be “nothing but a talking shop for independence”.

However, the final report did not ­include any views on whether ­independence would be good for the country.

Speaking after the launch of the recommendations, convener Kate Wimpress said the assembly showed Scotland was “at the forefront of ­democratic innovation”

She added: “This is not a box ticked, or a full stop, but a beginning, ­opening up a new chapter in our ­democracy with citizens at its heart.”