First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, delivers his keynote speech at the SNP annual conference at the Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA). Picture date: Monday October 13, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
What a difference a year makes. Last autumn, the Scottish National Party (SNP) and its leader, first minister John Swinney, were chastened at its annual conference after Labour mauled the party in Westminster elections.
This week the SNP, having regained a commanding lead in polls, was a party reborn at its 2025 conference at The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA). Yes, the cavernous venue was still far too big for a party much diminished from its heyday under Nicola Sturgeon.
But Labour is back in free fall in Scotland, leaving the SNP faithful in the hotel bars near TECA daring to dream of an overall majority at Holyrood elections next May, and with it, the tantalising prospect of a push for a fresh independence referendum.
It is a tall order – Stu
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