This year’s Scottish Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference takes place much later than usual. It’s been delayed by the Referendum and will take place in Dunfermline on Saturday 22nd November. There’s just about enough time for Presidential candidates to come and chase some last minute votes.

The preliminary agenda has just been published and it’s busy. Six policy debates, two keynote speeches, a  devolution discussion, a thank you reception for our former MEP George Lyon and two lunchtime fringe meetings crammed into one day.

The policy motions include:

Liberal Youth Scotland’s on engaging young people and encouraging them to register to vote;

One on encouraging SMEs from Mike Crockart, who recently held a successful business day in Edinburgh, calling for local partnerships between business, colleges and government to address skills shortages and for the expansion of enterprise zones.

Inverness’ call for the introduction of a patient premium to address health inequalities. To me it seems strange for a motion on health inequalities not to have something on breastfeeding, which, as I’ve written before, can really improve the life chances of children from poorer backgrounds. I smell an amendment coming on.

A frankly boring and unimaginative motion on devolution, basically saying “we like the Campbell Commission.” It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it but there’s something of parenthood and soft fruits encased in pastry without even having any cinnamon to liven them up about it.  Somebody needs to write an exciting amendment.

A motion on protecting the rights and safety of sex workers that is similar to the one passed at Federal Conference.

The speeches will be from Willie Rennie and Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael. Jo Swinson will lead the session to discuss the pre-manifesto.

If you haven’t yet registered – and remember all Scottish members get a vote at our Conference – you can do so here.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social