THE SNP will be relaunching their online chat room Blether in order to help party members that may be feeling isolated or lonely over this year’s Christmas period.

The Festive Blether app will randomly match two registered SNP members for a 5-minute direct video call.

“Staying connected is as important now as it has ever been, and while we can’t control many of the challenges we face around us, there are still some things we can all do to help one another during the holidays,” SNP chief executive Peter Murrell said in an email.

He goes on: “We hope this opportunity to connect with other members will be beneficial for many, as Christmas and New Year will be a little different this year.

“Just like every good Blether, these are completely free to attend.”

The SNP previously used Blether during their annual conference, which had to be held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of the party found themselves matched and chatting with high level ministers such as Humza Yousaf and his family.

The return of the Blether platform has been welcomed widely by prominent SNP members, including disabled members’ convener Jamie Szymkowiak and Glasgow South West MP Chris Stephens.

Blether will be open for 12 days over the coming season, from December 23 to January 3, with the virtual events platform Hopin running from 6.30pm to 9.30pm every evening.

SNP members can register to attend one event, or all 12 of the Festive Blethers.

To register, visit www.snp.org/events to select the evenings you wish to attend.

Pre-registration will close at noon on Monday December 21, with all registrations after that point having to be made by emailing events@snp.org.