SNP NORTH AMERICAN NETWORK NEWSLETTER

Issue 2, June 1998

NOTE-- due to regulations set by the Labour party in London

Welcome to the second edition of the SNP's North American Network Newsletter. Since our first edition the response has been extremely encouraging with many recipients eager to help the SNP establish a North American support base and spread the message of Scottish self-government.

Those who have responded have skills and contacts that will be very beneficial to our support base. Past SNP activists with academic credentials have offered assistance in research and developing policy for the party; whilst many others have excellent contacts with Scottish-American organisations, US business, and the world of American politics.

SNP INCREASES LEAD IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT OPINION POLL

The most recent Systems 3 opinion poll for the Herald newspaper has placed support for the SNP at 44% for election s to a Scottish Parliament. This is a 9% lead over the governing Labour party on 35% - last month the SNP's lead was only 5%.

Welcoming the poll the SNP leader Mr Alex Salmond MP said: "This poll yet again establishes new records for the SNP. Over the last month the SNP has articulated the vision of a new Scotland by building an effective Parliament. The positive message of Scotland's party is appealing to more and more Scots whilst Labour's negative, sterile sniping is alienating Scottish voters.

"We must continue to earn the support of the Scottish people and continue to demonstrate how we can govern our country well. That is the task for Scotland's party and the encouragement this poll gives will make all the difference."

POLL PUTS SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENCE AT 52%

Poll success for the SNP as a party has also witnessed increased support for independence. An ICM poll for the Scotsman newspaper has put support for independence at 52% compared to 41% for the status quo. The SNP welcomed the poll but were cautious by reminding supporters that they should take nothing for granted and work for an SNP victory at the Scottish Parliament elections next May.

The poll also contrasted with an earlier Systems 3 poll which put support for independence at 34% compared to 58% for the status quo. However the poll failed to ask a question on the SNP's policy of independence within the European Union (EU). Instead it asked if voters wanted an independent Scotland completely separate from England - membership of the EU would mean continued strong links with England.

SNP LEADER CONGRATULATES NORTHERN IRISH LEADERS

SNP Leader, Alex Salmond MP, has congratulated the leaders of Northern Ireland's two largest parties on the extraordinary 72% support in the referendum on the Good Friday Peace Agreement. Writing to John Hume, the leader of the constitutional nationalist party the SDLP, and David Trimble, of the non-sectarian Ulster Unionist Party, he praised them on achieving a democratic and peaceful settlement.

Mr Salmond also welcomed the proposed establishment of a Council of the Isles as part of the Agreement's elements. It is proposed that the Council of the Isles will bring together Ministers from the Scottish Parliament, Westminster, the Irish Government and the Assemblies of Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss issues of common interest.

Mr Salmond said of the Council of the Isles: "There are uniquely close links between the people of Scotland and both parts of Ireland, and there is now a real prospect of dialogue and co-operation on a range of matters. The SNP will be addressing such issues so that Scotland and the north and south of Ireland can regain the strength of the links that have contributed so much to the making of our peoples and cultures."

£1,000,000 APPEAL

The SNP Vice Convener for Fundraising, Mr George Reid, has set a target of £1,000,000 to fight the 1999 elections for Scotland's Parliament, the

European Parliament, and the country's local councils.

£300,000 has already been raised since the Appeal was launched in the Spring. Mr Reid says that there are schemes to suit every pocket - direct donation, credit card giving, the Independence Covenant and the National Convener's Club. "We are also much enthused, he adds, "by those

branches and groups of individuals which have organised events to raise money for the Appeal". SNP PUBLISH CANDIDATE LIST FOR SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

The SNP has just published its list of approved potential candidates for the Scottish Parliament. The list has over 170 approved candidates, including 49 women, with representatives from every part of Scotland including a strong showing of doctors, lawyers, businessmen, councillors, and even a television weatherman! The list has more potential candidates than the Labour party.

The SNP's inclusive list contrasts strongly with that of the Labour party who have culled any candidate not acceptable to their London leadership - including two sitting Westminster MPs. Already there is discontent brewing within the Scottish Labour party at the interference of the London leadership in the selection of their candidates.

SNP MERCHANDISE

The SNP has a large number of products available to supporters to show their support for the party. These include a large number of lapel badges and brooches, car window stickers, T-shirts and Polo-shirts, umbrellas, stationery, keyrings, flags, whisky glasses and decanters and numerous publications relating to the SNP.

We will soon have a secure e-mail connection for making these purchases by credit card through our website on www.snp.org.uk. In the meantime you can make enquiries about purchasing this material by contacting Irene White or Beverley Murray on snp.administration@snp.org.uk. Credit card purchases can be made by telephone on +44 131 226 3661.

JOINING THE SNP

As already indicated there has been a tremendous response to our first newsletter with a number of new names being passed on to us. In particular David Palladino, the Pipe major for the Cincinnati Caledonian

Pipe band, has to be thanked for his sterling work in providing names of possible supporters.

We have also had a large response asking how supporters can join the party. You can do so by becoming an HQ member through e-mailing Irene White on snp.administration@snp.org.uk. Enquiries about donations can also be made by this route.

In the meantime keep sending in the questions, suggestions or names of other known supporters. See you next month.

SNP