The SNP has pledged to take Scotland “forward” as members arrived in Perth for their 79th annual conference.
The Courier can reveal an economic boost to the tune of almost £3 million is expected for the Fair City as a result of the massive event returning again for 2013.
Organisers estimate there will be around 2,000 attendees on each of its four days, including 50 diplomats, 190 members of the media and 1,200 delegates and member visitors.
Each person will, according to the Delegate Expenditure Survey issued by Visit Britain, generate £364 for the economy through the use of hotels, pubs, restaurants and attractions in the immediate area around the Perth Concert Hall venue.
When combined, that means around £2.9 million will find its way into the coffers of businesses over the course of the conference.
Despite seeming unable to convince most voters on next year’s independence referendum, the party’s business convener, Derek Mackay, insisted spirits were high and cited poll ratings that have SNP support at similar levels to the landslide victory in 2011.
He also insisted Scotland can take better decisions in areas reserved to Westminster with the powers of independence and cited the “bedroom tax” as a key example.
The conference backdrop will be “Forward”, which the party says encompasses both the direction of travel of the SNP and, despite all bar one poll having the Yes campaign trailing, the move towards independence.
Mr Mackay said: “The SNP are in great heart and looking forward to a fantastic conference.
“After over six years in government, our support is still at similar levels as the 2011 Scottish Parliament election landslide and we look forward to winning the positive case for Yes and independence in the months ahead.
“Westminster’s ‘bedroom tax’ debacle is a graphic illustration of the Yes case that the best government decisions for Scotland are those made in Scotland.
“The incompetence and cruelty of the ‘bedroom tax’ and the soaringnumber of people dependent on food banks in resource-rich Scotland show why we cannot afford to leave powers over welfare, the economy and pensions in Westminster’s hands and why we need to take these decisions in our own parliament.
“A Yes vote is for good government with independence and an end to bad government from Westminster.
“The SNP are continuing to deliver on the people’s policies, such as the council tax freeze, no tuition fees, free personal care and a health service free at the point of need for all.
“Our positive case as a party is built on this positive record of achievement, which we look forward to developing at our conference and beyond,” he concluded.