Tory conference: Protests, pandas and the Prime Minister

The Scottish political party conference season begins in earnest today as the Scottish Conservatives bring their conference to the capital. It’s a bold move for a party whose conferences in recent years have graced the likes of Stirling and Troon. Taking the Edinburgh International Conference Centre is a statement which recognises the significance of this historic referendum year and acknowledges that the international media have an interest in this year’s Scottish party political conferences. It’s also a risk for a party whose membership numbers only around 11,000. Bums on seats could be an issue but bringing the conference to the capital could also encourage greater numbers through the doors than in previous years. Rumour has it 1000 Tory activists are about to descend on Edinburgh. We’re promised that this year’s conference will not only contribute significantly to the local Edinburgh economy but will also see a number of Cabinet Ministers make the trip north. Prime Minister David Cameron will address the conference later today.

Big issues like education and health will be placed on the backburner. In 2014 the constitutional debate is king.

The presence of the PM and UK ministers at the conference is a reflection of its importance, clearly the message has gone out that the Tory heavy hitters need to weigh in on the constitutional debate. Yet they’ll undoubtedly suffer from the indyref catch-22. Come to Scotland to talk referendum and you’ll be accused of having a jolly to the north in order lecture the Scottish people. Don’t come and you’re feart, disrespectful and don’t care about Scotland. This spring’s party conferences are the last big chance for all parties as individuals -  not part of larger Better Together or YES campaigns - to make their pitches to the Scottish electorate. Although the Conservative programme promises to cover topics such the abolition of corroboration and this year’s European elections, in essence this year’s Scottish Tory conference is not so much about Scotland’s issues but the issue of Scotland. The Scottish Conservative conference promises to be representative of the current political debate in Scotland. Big issues like education and health will be placed on the backburner. In 2014 the constitutional debate is king. So at this year’s conference will the Scottish Conservatives be able to make their case for the Union? Of course they’ll try, but with Conservative conferences come protests. Issues such as the Bedroom Tax, benefit cuts and austerity will perhaps not be the main focus of discussion inside the EICC but given the statements made back in December when the Conference was first announced, those protesting outside will make sure they are at the forefront of people’s minds. As an aside, it will be interesting to note how many of the Tory membership will agree to congratulate the Government on its ongoing reform of the welfare system during the ‘Economy and Welfare’ debate. In addition, the promised Panda Parade will remind the Conservatives that in Scotland they are effectively an endangered species. So will the battle cry for the Union be drowned out by the voices decrying Tory policies or can the Conservatives make a convincing case to vote No in September? I’ll let you know. I will be tweeting live from the conference from @k8wane and using the #scc14 hashtag.