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SNP holds 'watershed' conference | SNP holds 'watershed' conference |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The Scottish National Party is holding its first annual conference since its Holyrood election victory in May. | The Scottish National Party is holding its first annual conference since its Holyrood election victory in May. |
It will be the Nationalists' biggest yet, but party bosses are keen to focus on serious new policies amid the expected triumphant atmosphere. | It will be the Nationalists' biggest yet, but party bosses are keen to focus on serious new policies amid the expected triumphant atmosphere. |
The three-day conference in Aviemore will also celebrate the SNP's achievements in government. | The three-day conference in Aviemore will also celebrate the SNP's achievements in government. |
However, the event comes as opposition parties accused the minority administration of breaking promises. | |
Every cabinet secretary addressing conference will have a government announcement to make. | Every cabinet secretary addressing conference will have a government announcement to make. |
Nicola Sturgeon's speech, which she is due to deliver on Saturday, is expected to address the issue of hospital waiting times. | |
When quizzed about a possible announcement on the issue during an interview on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, she said: "I'll speak tomorrow at the conference - I may well have something to say about the NHS and possibly on waiting lists as well." | |
CONFERENCE AGENDA, DAY ONE 1000 - Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon arrive1030 - Conference opens1045 - Resolution on housing1130 - Address by Finance Secretary John Swinney1150 - Resolutions on planning gain supplement, compulsory competitive tendering, cities growth fund and social enterprise.1400 - Plaid Cymru fraternal address1410 - Topical and emergency resolutions1445 - Resolutions on the Europe national forum, nuclear weapons in Scotland and Burma.1540 - Address by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill | CONFERENCE AGENDA, DAY ONE 1000 - Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon arrive1030 - Conference opens1045 - Resolution on housing1130 - Address by Finance Secretary John Swinney1150 - Resolutions on planning gain supplement, compulsory competitive tendering, cities growth fund and social enterprise.1400 - Plaid Cymru fraternal address1410 - Topical and emergency resolutions1445 - Resolutions on the Europe national forum, nuclear weapons in Scotland and Burma.1540 - Address by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill |
SNP Westminster group leader Angus Robertson said the conference marked a watershed for the party, whose success he claimed was built on a positive election campaign. | |
In government the party has claimed several key achievements, including reversing decisions made by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat administration to close accident and emergency units, abolishing "hidden" NHS waiting lists and scrapping the graduate endowment fee for students. | In government the party has claimed several key achievements, including reversing decisions made by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat administration to close accident and emergency units, abolishing "hidden" NHS waiting lists and scrapping the graduate endowment fee for students. |
The conference is getting under way a day after ministers suffered a parliamentary defeat over opposition claims they had broken promises on boosting police numbers, and further accusations that the party is backing away from commitments to cut class sizes. | |
Mr Salmond, who will address the event on the final day, has dismissed the criticism, saying he will use the event to talk about "160 days of achievement". | Mr Salmond, who will address the event on the final day, has dismissed the criticism, saying he will use the event to talk about "160 days of achievement". |
About 1,000 delegates are expected to attend over the three days. | About 1,000 delegates are expected to attend over the three days. |