Swinney: liberating SNP

The Scottish National Party begins its Spring conference in Aberdeen today ahead of the June European elections.

The party hopes it can capitalise on Labour's difficulties to make gains in the summer poll.

Party leader John Swinney says he hopes the conference can agree to a new constitution in order to refocus its structure on modern electioneering.

"Internal reform has been put off by the SNP for the best part of the last 20 years," he said.

"I have come to the conclusion that our internal organisation and our constitution are holding the party back.

"I want to liberate the party to do what it was set up to do, to win Scottish independence."

Reform

Swinney said internal reform would put the SNP in a winning position.

"Our two-day conference will focus on two main issues for the party – firstly, the internal reform that I, and many others in the party, feel is vital if the party is continue to grow in the modern political world, and secondly, on the European elections which will take place on June 10," he added.

But the conference is also expected to see Swinney facing the now annual behind the scenes discontent about his leadership.

Sources suggest Alex Salmond, who will return the Holyrood parliament at the next devolved election, hopes to secure the leadership for a second time.

Swinney, who spoke out strongly against the war in Iraq, has been accused of failing to capitalise on Labour's policy difficulties.