Trying to figure out WTF is going on This is an AI rewrite updating the Craig Dalzell article published prior to this post. With the Scottish Parliament election in 2026 on the horizon, the Scottish National Party (SNP) is once again under the spotlight, not just for its political platform but also for its internal governance. As the party prepares for its annual conference in October 2025, signs point to a potential move away from member-led democracy and toward greater central control. The publication of the provisional conference agenda has raised concerns among party members. Traditionally, this agenda would be released well in advance, allowing for motions and amendments submitted by local branches to be properly considered. However, the 2025 agenda was published with what many are calling an unacceptably short notice period, just a few weeks before the conference begins in Aberdeen. Even more troubling, the provisional agenda has been criticized for a complete absence of member-submitted motions. Instead of open debates on specific policies, the agenda presents a series of broad, leadership-driven "resolutions." These resolutions are seen by some as vague affirmations of party values rather than concrete policy proposals. For example, a member's motion on a fixed timetable for removing nuclear weapons from Scotland has been replaced with a general resolution on independence that doesn't commit the party to any specific action if Westminster continues to block a referendum. The SNP has attributed these issues to "technical problems" with the digital platform for the conference, but this explanation has been met with skepticism. Other political parties, including the Scottish Greens, have successfully used similar platforms for their own conferences, managing to hold democratic debates and votes on member motions. This move has raised significant concerns about the party's democratic health. The SNP's constitution explicitly states that its national conference is the "supreme governing body" of the party, tasked with determining policy. By sidelining member motions and replacing them with pre-packaged resolutions, the leadership is being accused of trying to tighten its grip and suppress grassroots influence. This move is particularly worrying given the party's history of internal disagreements on key policies and the upcoming 2026 election, where the SNP's ability to present a unified and credible vision will be crucial. You're currently a free subscriber to Peter A Bell. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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