Tales from SNP Conference

As adjectives go, business-like isn't the worst one that could be applied to a party's conference and it seems business-like is the general conclusion so far for Inverness '09. Of course, The Guardian (in its Editorial no less) has gone for 'positively cocky' which, let's be honest, might not annoy some in the higher echelons of the party too much, particularly when it sits beside "uncertain (the Liberal Democrats), grim (Labour) and disciplined (Conservative)"

However, there has been a little uncertainty in a few of the votes, and not just because regular SNP enfant terrible Gerry Fisher seems intent on stepping up to be a thorn in the side of every other motion put forward. (Gerry's comments on asylum seekers don't bear repeating but drew some excellent Daily Mail comparisons from an exasperated James Dornan)

Anyway, there was some good debate over the Euro. Basically, should an independent Scotland join the Euro and, if so, should it put the matter to the Scottish public.

For me, it's a no-brainer that Scotland should join the Euro when it becomes independent. It's a no-brainer that the UK should join the Euro now for that matter. However, it is also pretty obvious that it is politically expedient to give a referendum to the people for such a big decision.

I can see Alyn Smith's point when he said: "“We are a pro-euro party. We can be too conditional about what we want an independent Scotland to look like. Let us get into the euro. If we are for the euro, let us be full-throated about it.”

But you have to take the majority of the people with you even if you are confident you are correct. And rightful indignation about not being given a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty would pale in comparison with no vote on joining the Euro.

(I would also say that, as opposed to the "rising MEP" status awarded by The Times, Alyn is a 'risen MEP' in a very many peoples' eyes. Indeed, upon chairing one session in the Parliament he was addressed as Simon Cowell which must be the highest accolade one can aspire to these days)

The other big story of the day seems to be Kenny MacAskill and his standing ovations. He has been accused of 'bragging' about releasing Al-Megrahi, a charge that is usually followed with the contradiction that he is bragging about a decision he got wrong.

It's a tricky question this one I reckon. At the time, it didn't seem unseemly to rise to our feet and applaud a man who all party members agree is doing an excellent job but in the cold light of day maybe there is an argument that the whole emotive issue should be put to one side.

However, in terms of what was said about Al-Megrahi, there was nothing new, save for the revelation that some Labour MPs and MSPs have privately voiced their support for his decision and given the earnest attacks that MacAskill has faced from the Scottish Labour party over this, particularly when Brown and Miliband appear to be on his side, who can blame the man for pointing out the hypocrisy.

So I don't know where the Lockerbie victims' families' fury comes from, as mentioned in today's Scotsman. The crux of what they say in the article is that they don't agree with MacAskill's decision and they want more medical reports released. Of course we can all understand their unique position in all of this but that doesn't sound like a new position from

The suggestion that the Justice Minister shouldn't mention Al-Megrahi forever more and that an audience shouldn't clap even if he does seems a little far-fetched to me. I personally particularly enjoy MacAskill's speeches, there is a quality to them (not necessarily a classic quality) that has me fully engaged although it should be noted that there was a person interpreting for the deaf at one fringe event which MacAskill was at and he simply gave up at one point during Kenny's unique oral deliver.

You can't please all of the people all of the time it seems, however business-like you go about your business.


For today, there is no doubt that Alex Salmond's 3pm speech will be the highlight. The hall is shaped perfectly to create a great atmosphere for it with balconies and a wonderful bowl-shape.