SNP Conference Opens Amid Election Fallout

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is holding its 90th annual conference in Edinburgh, focusing on a post-mortem of its recent electoral losses, where it dropped from 48 to just 9 seats in the July 4 election. Party leader John Swinney, in his first conference since taking over, emphasized the need for the SNP to refocus on public priorities and rebuild trust with voters, which he attributes to a recent 'breakdown in trust' due to various issues, including ongoing police investigations into party finances. The conference aims to address internal challenges, with discussions on potential spending cuts from the UK government that could impact Scotland's budget. Critics, including Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie, have pointed out the SNP's failures in managing public services, suggesting the party is out of ideas and struggling to deliver effectively for Scotland. The event serves as an opportunity for party members to discuss future strategies, while Swinney rallies support against cuts from the Labour government. Overall, the SNP is under pressure to demonstrate its commitment to serving Scotland amidst a challenging political landscape.