SNP conference agenda reveals time allocated to independence debate

The finalised agenda for the conference, seen by this paper, says that just 1hr40 will be given to delegates to debate the leadership’s motion on independence strategy – as well as the seven proposed amendments.

Proposed jointly by First Minister Humza Yousaf and the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, the motion calls on the party to agree that “if the SNP subsequently wins the most seats at the General Election in Scotland, the Scottish Government is empowered to begin immediate negotiations with the UK Government to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country”.

READ MORE: Ash Regan warns against Humza Yousaf's 'most seats' independence strategy

It also says that, after winning the most seats, the SNP will conduct a nationwide consultation on a draft constitution, establish envoys “to act as representatives of the Scottish Government in supra-national forums”, and “set out the detailed terms we would seek in discussions with the UK Government for Scotland becoming an independent country”.

The idea of setting the threshold as “the most seats” is set to be hotly debated, with three separate amendments looking for that to be changed to either “a majority” of seats, “a majority of votes cast”, or "a majority of the vote".

The debate will take place on the first day of conference: Sunday October 15. It is scheduled to run from 2:20pm until 4pm. An address from Deputy First Minister Shona Robison (below) will follow.

Other amendments to the leadership motion to be debated at the same time include a lengthy one asking for the SNP General Election manifesto to also “demand the permanent transfer of legal power to the Scottish Parliament to determine how Scotland is governed, including the transfer of power to enable it to legislate for a referendum”.

READ MORE: Change independence trigger from most seats to most votes, SNP MP says

Two proposed by Toni Giugliano, the SNP’s policy convener, ask conference to agree to the SNP launching a “Scotland-wide independence campaign” by the end of 2023, and to adding “‘Independence for Scotland’ or words to that effect, to the party’s name and logo on the General Election ballot papers”.

And a motion from SNP MP Joanna Cherry and the party’s Trade Union Group says that any independence negotiations with the UK Government “should be taken forward by a Constitutional Convention constituted by the MPs elected to Westminster, MSPs and representatives of civic Scotland”.

Giugliano said the debate would be a “defining moment for the SNP” as he urged delegates to support his amendments.

The SNP conference will be held in Aberdeen from October 15 to October 17. SNP leader Yousaf will give a 45-minute closing speech at 3:15pm on the final day, according to the agenda.

You can read the entire motion and the seven amendments below:

5 INDEPENDENCE STRATEGY

1 Conference believes that the next UK General Election should be used as an opportunity to advance the cause of independence, and to demonstrate how the powers of independence would enable us to take action on Scotland’s priorities – from tackling the Westminstermade cost of living crisis, to protecting our public services, eradicating poverty and building a fairer economy that works for us all.

2 Conference believes that Scotland is facing a ‘Cost of Westminster Crisis’; one that is making life increasingly challenging for people across the country and makes the case for independence even more urgent.

3 Conference notes that the UK Government continues to unjustly block a democratic referendum, thereby denying the people of Scotland the opportunity to express their support for independence.

4 Conference therefore supports using the next UK General Election as a means to offer that opportunity, and secure Scotland’s independence; and further notes that this approach has been debated at Regional Assemblies across Scotland, with widespread support as a means to move Scotland forward to achieving independence. Conference agrees that the SNP manifesto for the UK General Election should state on page one, line one, the following simple and powerful statement: Vote SNP for Scotland to become an independent country.

5 Conference further agrees that the SNP manifesto and campaign should highlight the direct link between Westminster rule and the many challenges we are facing as a country, and demonstrate the opportunities of independence across the board on the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland.

6 Conference believes that if the SNP subsequently wins the most seats at the General Election in Scotland, the Scottish Government is empowered to begin immediate negotiations with the UK Government to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country; and to take the following actions as part of preparations for Scotland’s independence:

6a Publish ‘Withdrawal from Westminster – a New Partnership Agreement’, which would set out the detailed terms we would seek in discussions with the UK Government for Scotland becoming an independent country and include draft legal text on the transfer of powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament necessary to prepare for independence.

6b Conduct a nationwide consultation on a draft interim constitution, which would be the founding document of an independent Scotland.

6c Prepare the ground for Scotland to rejoin the international community and become an independent member state of the EU, by establishing envoy positions to act as representatives of the Scottish Government in supra-national forums

HUMZA YOUSAF MSP, STEPHEN FLYNN MP

AMENDMENT A – TRANSFER OF POWERS

Insert at end of resolution: Conference further agrees that the SNP manifesto for the next Westminster election will demand the permanent transfer of legal power to the Scottish Parliament to determine how Scotland is governed, including the transfer of power to enable it to legislate for a referendum.

Conference agrees that the SNP manifesto will demand that the incoming UK Government will legislate to devolve a series of powers to allow the Scottish Government to properly tackle the twin crises of the cost of living and climate – including but not limited to:

• employment rights and the living/minimum wage

• windfall taxation for companies operating in Scotland

• regulation, pricing and production of energy sources

• employment visas for overseas workers

• new borrowing powers to invest in a just transition

Conference further agrees that should an incoming UK Government continue to refuse the demands of the Scottish people to decide their own future, consideration should be given to fighting the next Scottish Parliament election in 2026 as a de facto referendum on independence; and that a majority at that election for the SNP - or the SNP and any other party with which we have reached a pro-independence agreement - will be considered a mandate to negotiate independence.

TOMMY SHEPPARD MP, STEWART M MCDONALD MP, RICHARD THOMSON MP, ALYN SMITH MP, ANNE MCLAUGHLIN MP, PHILIPPA WHITFORD MP, DAVE DOOGAN MP, LONDON BRANCH, PORTOBELLO-CRAIGMILLAR BRANCH, CLACKMANNANSHIRE BRANCH, EDINBURGH CENTRAL BRANCH, LEITH BRANCH, CRAIGENTINNY AND DUDDINGSTON BRANCH, MUSSELBURGH AND DISTRICT BRANCH, SNP TRADE UNION GROUP

AMENDMENT B – RENEWED INDEPENDENCE CAMPAIGN

Add at end: Conference agrees that by the end of the year the SNP will launch a Scotland-wide independence campaign, which will include digital and print campaign assets, aimed at increasing support for independence. The SNP will work in partnership with Yes groups and organisations and will promote pro-independence voices from all sectors of Scottish society.

TONI GIUGLIANO - POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONVENER, PETERHEAD BRANCH, BRAES BRANCH, FALKIRK SOUTH BRANCH, HELENSBURGH BRANCH, EDINBURGH WESTERN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

AMENDMENT C – BALLOT PAPER DESCRIPTION

Add at end: Conference further agrees that the SNP will seek to add the words “Independence for Scotland” or words to that effect, to the party’s name and logo on the General Election ballot papers to make it clear beyond doubt what’s at stake at this election.

TONI GIUGLIANO - POLICY DEVELOPMENT CONVENER, PETERHEAD BRANCH, BRAES BRANCH, FALKIRK SOUTH BRANCH, HELENSBURGH BRANCH, EDINBURGH WESTERN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH

AMENDMENT D - CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Paragraph 6 - Delete all after “General Election in Scotland” in line 1, and replace with: “…this constitutes a mandate for independence negotiations with the UK Government which should be taken forward by a Constitutional Convention constituted by the MPs elected to Westminster, MSPs and representatives of civic Scotland. Conference reaffirms the commitment to set up a Constitutional Convention made in January 2020.”

JOANNA CHERRY MP, SNP TRADE UNION GROUP

AMENDMENT E – MAJORITY OF SEATS FOR SNP REQUIRED

Paragraph 6a, line 1 - delete "the most", insert " a majority of the". Revised statement to read "Conference believes that if the SNP subsequently wins a majority of the seats at the General Election in Scotland"

DEESIDE AND UPPER DONSIDE BRANCH

AMENDMENT F – MAJORITY OF VOTES FOR PRO-INDEPENDENCE PARTIES

Paragraph 6, line 1 – delete “Conference believes that if the SNP subsequently wins the most seats at the General Election in Scotland” and replace with: “Conference believes that if the SNP together with other proindependence parties win a majority of votes cast at the General Election in Scotland”

JOANNA CHERRY MP, SNP TRADE UNION GROUP

AMENDMENT G – MAJORITY OF VOTES FOR SNP REQUIRED

Paragraph 6a, line one- delete “most seats” and replace with “majority of the vote”.

PETE WISHART MP; ALMOND AND EARN BRANCH