SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY AND NATO

Early day motion 1077, tabled 26 March 2002 by Ann McKechin (Labour). Signed by 25 members.

That this House notes that the Scottish National party's International Affairs Review Group has published recommendations reinforcing the party's anti-NATO stance; notes that at a time when many smaller nations in Europe wish to join NATO to strengthen their defences, the Scottish National Party is proposing that Scotland should withdraw from NATO; further notes press reports at the time of the party's annual conference last year that their leader, John Swinney, believed that a pro-NATO stance would send out a powerful message that his party had modernised its vision; and recognises that the party's continued policy of opposing NATO membership is an humiliation for Mr Swinney and shows the continuing failure of the Scottish National Party to frame a modern and relevant defence policy.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 1.