Nat-Bashing Takes Politics: Conference Call to Arms Politics: Conference Call to Arms Oban Is Abuzz with Talk of the Nationalist Resurgence, but Is It Electioneering Hype? Over As Snp Threat Bites

Summary

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PARTY conferences have the unusual effect of making politicians popular in small towns. In Oban, as in Aviemore earlier this year, the activist class brings its chequebook and provides a boost to local firms. But the enthusiasm for Scottish Labour's annual conference is purely financial.

"I love taking their money, " said one local publican, referring to politicians. "I feel like it's payback for the amount of cash they take from us." Most folk in Oban, while happy to take the Labour shilling, were oblivious to the fact they were hosting one of the most concerted anti-Nationalist rallies Scotland has witnessed. Delegates may have differed on nuclear power and exchanged words on the role of the private sector in public services, but they were united when it came to baiting SNP leader Alex Salmond.

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Extract

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Nat-Bashing Takes Politics: Conference Call to Arms Politics: Conference Call to Arms Oban Is Abuzz with Talk of the Nationalist Resurgence, but Is It Electioneering Hype? Over As Snp Threat Bites

The unprecedented level of Natbashing reflected the SNP's resurgence.

Several opinion polls have put the party either level with Labour or a very close second. This is contrast to the 2003 Holyrood election, where McConnell trounced John Swinney, and last year's general election result which saw the Nationalists slip to third behind the LibDems. A rec...

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