ALBA are set to launch their second policy conference in preparation for next week’s manifesto launch.

Today’s conference will discuss papers from former SNP depute leader Jim Sillars on a written constitution for an independent Scotland, Alba candidate for South Scotland and former MP Corri Wilson on pension policy, Alba candidate for Central Scotland Dr Jim Walker on currency policy for independence and from party leader Alex Salmond on Scotland And The World, encompassing the party’s new European strategy.

It will also hear from Alba candidate for Glasgow Ailsa Gray on energy and renewables and from Alba candidate for the Highlands and Islands Craig Berry.

A paper from former chief medical officer Sir Harry Burns on public health policy for an independent Scotland will also be discussed. This session will be led by Alba candidate for Mid Scotland and Fife Neale Hanvey MP, candidate for Lothian Alex Arthur and candidate for Central Scotland Margaret Lynch.

The conference will augment the work completed on independence strategy, economic recovery and education policy along with Alba’s already published programme on women and equalities. These will constitute the framework of the Alba manifesto launch due on Wednesday.

Conference chair and Alba candidate for Central Scotland Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh said: “Scotland has a dominant political party in the SNP which faces pathetic opposition from the Unionist hotchpotch who are weak on social and economic policy and hysterical on the constitution.

“What Scotland needs, and now has in Alba, is a party which is backing independence as an immediate priority but also can provide a badly needed but constructive social and economic critique of the Government’s programme. Scotland badly needs new political ideas and Alba will step up to the mark.

“Alba intends to set the pace not just on the constitution but on the social and economic priorities for Scotland in the new world which is emerging post-pandemic.”