SNP conference votes to eliminate Scotland Office and Secretary of State role

At the SNP’s annual conference in Aberdeen, representatives voted without opposition to dissolve the Scotland Office and scrap the Secretary of State for Scotland position, currently held by Douglas Alexander. The resolution, submitted by the Milngavie and Bearsden North branch, labeled the office an "expensive anachronism" that no longer serves a useful function. It called for any savings to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.

The proposal reflects growing scrutiny of the department, which has seen its responsibilities transferred to Holyrood and faced criticism after a recent claim that it had no input on US whisky tariff removals. Earlier reports also highlighted nearly £400,000 in severance payments by the Scotland Office, fueling calls for its closure.