DELEGATES attending the SNP conference have backed proposals to strengthen Scotland’s links to the European Parliament and other institutions within the bloc.

On the first day of the virtual conference, members reflected on how 62% of Scots backed remaining in the EU at the 2016 Brexit referendum – and restated their commitment to rejoining the EU as an independent nation.

The three SNP MEPs who were serving prior to Brexit currently enjoy Observer status within the European Free Alliance, a party consisting of members who advocate for independence, sovereignty or devolution for various areas.

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Heather Anderson, an SNP politician who briefly served in Brussels as an MEP before the UK left the EU, said while Brexit means Scotland’s relationship with the EU has totally changed, the bloc’s importance to the country has not.

Westminster has made its priorities quite clear - the Tory UK government delivered a deeply damaging Brexit in the middle of a global pandemic, completely disregarding Scotland’s people, its Parliament and the democratically elected Scottish Government,” she told conference.

“The message from SNP delegates at this Conference is clear - Scotland is European. But it’s only with the full powers of independence that Scotland can escape Westminster control and rejoin its European partners around the EU table.”