SNP members – who submitted multiple draft resolutions on the party's independence strategy which failed to be accepted – have reacted to the approved independence motion on the conference agenda, calling it the "weakest one imaginable".
The finalised agenda – 29-page document outlines a list of what will be debated at the party’s national conference in Aberdeen next month – was published today, with one member noting it was a day late.
The National understands that a rival topical motion to the finalised one is being drafted in the hopes the strategy suggested by members can be discussed through an alternative route.
The disappointment comes after a motion supported by more than 50 branches, as well as the party's largest affiliate body, was rejected by the Conferences Committee (CC) last week.
The first motion on the document – proposed by youth affiliate Young Scots for Independence – argues that while support for Scottish independence remains strong, many undecided voters still have concerns about practical issues such as the economy, pensions, mortgages, currency, household finances and public spending.
It calls on the party to "develop accessible, evidence-based materials addressing common economic and practical questions about independence" and "equip members, activists and the wider Yes movement with resources to help them engage undecided voters".
It further states "party leaders, elected representatives and spokespeople" should "actively promote the economic case for independence".
You can read the full motion here.
In reaction, one member criticised the party for being "content to let branches, constituencies and affiliated organisations operate in silos without providing an effective means of communication" between members, adding that the party has "more important things to focus on than producing a new brochure".
“A third of all motions submitted were on independence and the leadership chose the weakest one imaginable for the agenda," a party insider told The National.
They added: “The motion is frankly insulting and should be voted down – not because the idea of a pamphlet is a bad one – but because the leadership denied us the chance to approve a proper plan of action to accelerate independence.
"A pamphlet isn’t going to free Scotland from the British state. It’s so pathetic – I wish delegates would open their eyes and have the courage to say enough gimmicks, we want to get serious”.
Another SNP member stated: "I wish I could say I am shocked or disappointed, but it was expected and it is true to form for a wider leadership that treats it's members with utter contempt and sees independence as an election vote winner, rather than something to win.
"The party of independence, reduced to talking about a brochure, that really got me excited!! This agenda has me thinking that independence will need to come from the members and wider movement, it won't come from inside the current leadership."
They added: "Maybe the SNP members who are in this for independence rather than jobs need to come together and get organized.
"We have seen how groups like Momentum and Labour Together changed the Labour Party and how the 79 Group laid the foundations for the 2014 referendum by changing the SNP into a modern party.
"The 79 Group was formed to move the party leftwards, we are now maybe in need of a group to move the party back to its north star."
Member David Birkett also reacted, stating: "This leadership has had a lot of doors closed on them by their predecessors. That's unfortunate and not their fault, but it's still up to them to find a way through.
"I'm just not sure they have the answers yet."
The strategy drafted by members included building consensus on a route to independence, increasing support via a national campaign, using the next General Election as a defining vote on Scotland's “right to choose” and creating an “independence delivery unit” to find solutions to the big questions about the transition away from the Union.
After discussion lasting over an hour, the CC was split on the amendment, voting six for and six against, with national secretary Alex Kerr casting the deciding vote. It was ultimately rejected.
