This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/16/snp-love-in-conference-tories-labour-would-kill-for-unity-shown

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tories and Labour would kill for unity shown at SNP love-in Tories and Labour would kill for unity shown at SNP love-in
(35 minutes later)
There was genuine excitement on the conference platform. At last a vote that was close enough to require a count rather than a unanimous show of hands. A vote to challenge the SNP’s anti-fracking commitment on the grounds that it wasn’t hardline enough. It was also something of a surprise, as there didn’t appear to have been any arrangements put in place for such an eventuality.There was genuine excitement on the conference platform. At last a vote that was close enough to require a count rather than a unanimous show of hands. A vote to challenge the SNP’s anti-fracking commitment on the grounds that it wasn’t hardline enough. It was also something of a surprise, as there didn’t appear to have been any arrangements put in place for such an eventuality.
“Can we have some stewards please?” asked an astonished Susan Aitken, the session chair. Five minutes later some stewards appeared, and it was eventually agreed that the official anti-fracking position had been adopted. The extreme anti-frackers had been defeated.“Can we have some stewards please?” asked an astonished Susan Aitken, the session chair. Five minutes later some stewards appeared, and it was eventually agreed that the official anti-fracking position had been adopted. The extreme anti-frackers had been defeated.
Unbelievably, the same thing happened at the very next vote on the SNP’s resolution for radical land reform. This time the stewards were more prepared and the votes were counted in under 15 minutes; the apparatchiks at the heart of Holyrood had been sent packing by the radical radical land reformers. Nicola would need to have a rethink. “Wow,” said Aitken, “Who said the SNP don’t have genuine debates?” Her tone initially suggested this wasn’t entirely a good thing, but she recovered well. “See. We’re not just a love-in.”Unbelievably, the same thing happened at the very next vote on the SNP’s resolution for radical land reform. This time the stewards were more prepared and the votes were counted in under 15 minutes; the apparatchiks at the heart of Holyrood had been sent packing by the radical radical land reformers. Nicola would need to have a rethink. “Wow,” said Aitken, “Who said the SNP don’t have genuine debates?” Her tone initially suggested this wasn’t entirely a good thing, but she recovered well. “See. We’re not just a love-in.”
There may be something quite surreal – not to mention cloying – about a party conference at which almost everyone agrees with everyone else about everything, but the Tories and Labour would kill right now to have such unity within the ranks. If there is any dissent it is being kept well off stage behind the heavy black drapes that line the auditorium; the party is on a roll, support is growing by the day and the last thing it needs is a quarrel. Positivity with a positive vision is the positive order of the day. There may be something quite surreal – not to mention cloying – about a party conference at which almost everyone agrees with everyone else about everything, but the Tories and Labour would kill right now to have such unity within the ranks. If there is any dissent, it is being kept well off stage behind the heavy black drapes that line the auditorium; the party is on a roll, support is growing by the day and the last thing it needs is a quarrel. Positivity with a positive vision is the positive order of the day.
Not that there is much to argue about other than whether radical land reform should be more radical, as most of the debates have centred on the relatively uncontentious issues of fairness and equality for Scotland. The only irony – or coincidence, depending on how you choose to look at it – is that the only place where fairness and equality have gone awol is in the upper echelons of the party itself. There are stars, superstars and the also-rans.Not that there is much to argue about other than whether radical land reform should be more radical, as most of the debates have centred on the relatively uncontentious issues of fairness and equality for Scotland. The only irony – or coincidence, depending on how you choose to look at it – is that the only place where fairness and equality have gone awol is in the upper echelons of the party itself. There are stars, superstars and the also-rans.
This year the MSPs, many of whom have been members of the SNP for years and have helped build the party into the most powerful political force in Scotland, are the also-rans. Whenever there is an event featuring one of the new Westminster MPs, the interest levels in the hall ratchet up a notch. The power of the new always beats the over-familiar. This year, the MSPs, many of whom have been members of the SNP for years and have helped build the party into the most powerful political force in Scotland, are the also-rans. Whenever there is an event featuring one of the new Westminster MPs, the interest levels in the hall ratchet up a notch. The power of the new always beats the over-familiar.
For the MSPs, the mood is “been there, seen them, done them”. It must be hard for some of them to readjust to their new lower place in the pecking order. The nadir was reached with a meet the MSPs’ session, hosted by Humza Yousaf and Derek Mackay, who were determined to treat the gig as if they were Mike and Bernie Winters on speed. “Just look at those crazee yellow boots,” the double act exclaimed. Angela Constance may be known for her eccentric dress, but there must have been something more interesting to say about Scotland’s education minister than her shoes. For the MSPs, the mood is “been there, seen them, done them”. It must be hard for some of them to readjust to their new lower place in the pecking order. The nadir was reached with a meet the MSPs session, hosted by Humza Yousaf and Derek Mackay, who were determined to treat the gig as if they were Mike and Bernie Winters on speed. “Just look at those crazee yellow boots,” the double act exclaimed. Angela Constance may be known for her eccentric dress, but there must have been something more interesting to say about Scotland’s education minister than her shoes.
As for the superstars, Nicola Sturgeon is clearly in a league of her own, but Mhairi Black and Alex Salmond aren’t far behind. Black got a standing ovation before she had said a word and the five-minute speech rule was waived for her appearance. Ten minutes? That will do nicely. She is undoubtedly a class act and modest with it but she must find the attention she is getting somewhat overwhelming. Not something that could be said about Alex Salmond, who thrives on it. The former leader of the SNP hadn’t originally featured in the programme but, by popular demand, space was found for him to speak at an emergency resolution on Syria.As for the superstars, Nicola Sturgeon is clearly in a league of her own, but Mhairi Black and Alex Salmond aren’t far behind. Black got a standing ovation before she had said a word and the five-minute speech rule was waived for her appearance. Ten minutes? That will do nicely. She is undoubtedly a class act and modest with it but she must find the attention she is getting somewhat overwhelming. Not something that could be said about Alex Salmond, who thrives on it. The former leader of the SNP hadn’t originally featured in the programme but, by popular demand, space was found for him to speak at an emergency resolution on Syria.
Salmond didn’t disappoint. He was funny, humane and correct on all the main issues. “We need a diplomatic solution,” he insisted. This from a politician not normally noted for diplomacy. The conference programme is splattered with adverts proclaiming the SNP’s support for the third runway at Heathrow. And what had Alex done earlier in the day? He had dumped on one of the conference sponsors by saying the SNP wouldn’t necessarily support Heathrow unless Scotland didn’t get a better deal out of it. Time and place, Alex. Time and place. Nicola will be having words later. Salmond didn’t disappoint. He was funny, humane and correct on all the main issues. “We need a diplomatic solution,” he insisted. This from a politician not normally noted for diplomacy. The conference programme is splattered with adverts proclaiming the SNP’s support for the third runway at Heathrow. And what had Alex done earlier in the day? He had dumped on one of the conference sponsors by saying the SNP wouldn’t necessarily support Heathrow unless Scotland got a better deal out of it. Time and place, Alex. Time and place. Nicola will be having words later.