Bo’ness SNP AGM – Written on September 2nd 2020
Well, who would have thought 2020 would have been like this? Since the last AGM, there have been highs and lows for the branch and our members and probably the most testing times of our lifetime.
We must start with the biggest high in the election of Martyn in December. When the election was announced, I’m sure many were like me and dreaded the thought of campaigning through cold winter months. We were also stung with the national election result in 2017 and although polling was looking decent, we could not risk thinking the result was in the bag.
I was really impressed with the branch pulling together and supporting Martyn’s campaign. There was a good buzz about the branch and that was repeated on the doors and on polling day itself. I personally would never of thought standing outside Fisons for hours on end on a bitterly cold December day would have been so enjoyable!
Well done to everyone who was involved and every bit of the spare time you gave up was appreciated by all and helped deliver such a great result.
The bounce from that election has continued and polling is continuing to be as strong as it has ever been. With a Holyrood election in 2021, I hope we can keep up this effort as this election looks to be the most pivotal in the push towards Independence.
We have now seen the candidates who have put themselves forward and I look forward to what should be an interesting contest and I am sure our Branch will challenge all candidates with our usual forthright questions!
I don’t want to spend too much time on Covid as you’re probably all sick to the back teeth about it! However, this has impacted the normal functions of the branch, with meetings now online and very little opportunity to socialise. Campaigning in the normal sense is also on hold.
We don’t know what the future will hold but we will need to continue to adapt as we go forward, and I am sure as a branch we will embrace this change and lead across the constituency.
We are still living in strange times, please do not hesitate to reach out to your fellow branch members if you need the support.
On a personal note, it has again been a privilege to be your Convenor for another year.
Alan Gilbert
Convenor – Bo’ness Branch
Bo'ness SNP 