Alba Conference Weekend

Having worked a double shift on Friday 10th September 2021, I got home around midnight exhausted and needing sleep. Instead of resting my eyes I had a quick bite to eat and prepared my bag for heading through to Greenock for my first ever party political conference. I wasn't sure what to expect. Hype, yes, to some extent, but I hoped to see and hear passionate folk who, like myself, firmly believe in Scotland's right to assert its authority and statehood. 

I spent the next couple of hours lazing about before going to freshen up and get dressed. By 4am I was ready to go. Another hour and I would be heading to get a bus to the train station.

The journey was pleasant enough and I arrived in Greenock just after 8am. I waited for a few minutes outside the conference hall unsure who anyone was bar the Alba representative who stopped to say hello before heading inside.  

The hall was a fairly decent size and able to accommodate the number of potential delegates who could attend. It filled up fast once it got closer to the actual start of the conference. There was a picture captured showing the hall particularly empty. A picture that was taken by the look of it before the conference was set up and only a few folk had turned up. Myself included. That was to change. The room was packed and the conference got under way.

On day one I sat bemused and shaking my head as speaker after speaker got a standing ovation whenever independence or buzz words were mentioned. There were times when the ovation was clearly deserved but there was too much over excitement from the delegates. The rules governing the party were the main topic being discussed along with introductions from the representatives, a piper playing and music on the large screen. When it came to the interval I crossed over the road and had lunch at the Old Bank Bar which sits directly opposite the town hall. The staff there were very friendly, helpful and hard working. Keith, I think, was the chef on duty and between the three staff they managed to serve everyone (the queue was out the door) quickly and efficiently. The food was superb. I had the Scottish classic favourite, macaroni and cheese. No dessert though as I'm doing sweet September so on a dessert and sweet free month. Ugh, why did I do this to myself?

Anyway,  after lunch the conference resumed. There were sensitive topics discussed such as the legalisation of prostitution, carers, and poverty with some very heartfelt speeches. At the end of the conference Salmond made his speech, gave out honorary life membership awards and received a standing ovation. It was an interesting day, however, I was disappointed to hear some of the speakers and representatives subjugate Scotland, though given the numerous Scottish governments abdication of responsibility for the governance of Scotland, it is understandable. 

After day one's conference I headed along to my hotel and checked in. Still tired I rested for a few minutes before going to get a bite to eat in the hotel diner. I had intended to rest for a few minutes afterwards before going to see Shang-Chi but fell asleep and woke up at the time the film was due to start. Yikes, I bolted down to the lobby and called a taxi which seemed to take forever to arrive, as things usually do when you are running late. I got to the cinema and seated just as the title screen came on. Phew, made it.

After the film I headed back the way the taxi came. Given I was unfamiliar with Greenock it didn't take long for me to get back to the hotel. I noted a couple of things that had been playing on my mind from earlier in the day and filled out the speaker's card unaware how unusual this simple act actually was having since learned that some parties do not permit their delegates to speak.

I went to bed around midnight, slept well then got up around 6am and went to freshen up. I hadn't prepared what I was going to say so I took a couple leaflets down to the diner and started writing out my speech. It wasn't until I had completed both leaflets and started on the printed sides that I decided to put it onto my phone instead. Would be less likely to lose my place that way or so I thought.

I got to the conference and handed my speaker's card to Tasmina who had been the host over the weekend. I must admit she did a good job and kept her cool when someone the day before had been verbally aggressive thinking he had been denied the chance to speak but everyone who had handed their speakers card in prior to the topic being discussed had been permitted to say their piece whether for or against the motion and amendments. 

Day 2 was less crowded but there are train strikes on Sundays and a lot of folk had travelled by train through to the conference so it was unsurprising that there were fewer folk on day 2. I had made alternative arrangements in advance knowing the strikes were happening. I digress, a little. Day 2 was filled with good debate, less over excitement and a much rounder feel. To me, it seemed folk had now settled in. There were great speakers touching on subjects such as nuclear weapons and power, monarchy and the topic I was to speak in favour of, Scotland's place in the world. For my part, I was nervous. I am used to being on stage but this was a whole different experience. My speech was asserting Scotland's true status as a sovereign nation state in an international Agreement with England as an equal partner with equal authority. It would either go down like a wet balloon given folk tend to subjugate Scotland and treat it as a colony or, I hoped, it would strike a chord with folk and make them reevaluate how they see Scotland. I know it was the latter for some having been approached afterwards. I can only hope Alba representatives take on board the points I made during my speech.

By the end of the conference there was a palpable energy in the room. It was similar to the buzz Scotland had on the run up to the Scottish referendum with renewed hope and a desire to reassert Scotland's statehood with urgency. I left the conference and headed to the train station having realised that the train was still running. Announcements were made when I got there about the strikes while I got chatting to a couple ladies who had attended the Alba conference. They were excited for the future of Alba and Scotland and pleased at the turnout. 

By the time I got home I was exhausted but still hoping that now, just maybe, Scots would stop treating their country as less than and would assert their authority demanding Scotland act as the sovereign nation state that it actually is. The following days since the conference have left me  pleased to see that various bloggers and other Scots are now recognising Scotland's  true status and authority. Long may it continue.

Alba conference day 1

Alba conference day 2