For nearly twenty years, the RSPB has worked with the politicians in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to benefit wildlife and the environment by influencing those areas of public policy that have been devolved to Stormont, Holyrood and the Sennedd.
Yet the profile and prominence of SNP has clearly grown and the party has a significant stake in the work of the Westminster Parliament.
That’s why our Westminster parliamentary team has joined up with our Scottish team to participate in this year’s SNP conference in Glasgow.
Below, Lloyd Austin, our Head of Policy in Scotland and pictured below with the First Minister, gives his impression of this week’s events.
The SNP conference this year is one of their largest conferences to date and the party has a renewed sense of purpose following the EU referendum. RSPB Scotland's stall has been a popular pit stop for MPs and MSPs alike, many of whom have been supportive of our work and enjoyed hearing about what we're doing. We had a visit from Nicola Sturgeon herself who, as a strong advocate for the role of women, was pleased to learn some of the RSPB's history - especially our foundation by a group of 19th Century women campaigning against the use of bird plumage in hats.
Whilst questions of independence were at the forefront of everyone's mind, as is to expected at an SNP conference, so too is the topic of what Brexit means for Scotland and whether other options were available to maintain Scotland's links with Europe. It was pleasing to hear regularly that the party's commitment to maintaining these links with Europe includes maintaining environmental standards There have also been repeated commitments to maintaining the Scottish Government's 'world leading' position on climate change. We hope this ambition is combined with a stepping up of efforts on implementation, especially on issues of land use. It was great to hear Baroness Barbara Young (former Chief Executive of both the RSPB and the Environment Agency and now chair of the Woodland Trust) quoted by the Cabinet Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, reminding us all if the importance of the EU in establishing environmental protections, including those that cleaned up our bathing waters and, of course, the Birds & Habitats Directives. As Brexit unfolds and Scotland's role in negotiations becomes clearer, we hope the SNP stands by their promises and maintains strong environmental protection in the face of economic and political pressure.