Conference resolves that the Scottish Liberal Democrats strategy for the 2007 and subsequent Scottish Parliament elections shall be to campaign to win as many votes and seats as possible.

Conference resolves that, should no single party have an overall majority in Parliament following the elections, the Scottish Liberal Democrats will, if desirable, negotiate with other parties represented in Parliament to agree a programme for government or other such arrangement as may be thought appropriate to deliver as many of the Party’s policies as possible.

In such circumstances the following procedures shall apply:

1. If the Scottish Liberal Democrats are the party with the largest representation in Parliament, we will be prepared to enter discussions with appropriate other parties with a view to seeking support for a government able to deliver a Programme for Government that incorporates as many of the Party’s policies as possible.

2. In any other event, the Scottish Liberal Democrats will be prepared to negotiate with another party or parties to form a government able to deliver a Programme for Government that incorporates as many of the Party’s policies as possible. If such talks do not prove satisfactory we will promote the party’s position outside government.
3. The Scottish Parliamentary Group, Executive and the Policy Committee shall form a group (the “Joint Group”). The Joint Group will meet initially on the first Saturday after the election or on such other date as the Office bearers shall determine.

   At that meeting:

   1. The Joint Group shall determine the Party’s strategy, priorities and tactics for any negotiations that may be held with other parties; and

   2. At the initial meeting, a negotiating team shall be formed which shall comprise
      
      1. The Leader

      2. The Convener
      3. The Policy Committee Chair
      4. Three members elected by and from the members of the Executive
      5. One member elected by and from the members of the Policy Committee
      6. Four members elected by and from the members of the Scottish Parliamentary Group.

      All elections referred to in paragraphs (iii), (iv) and (v) shall be conducted by a secret ballot and by STV. Co-opted and non-voting members of the Executive and Policy Committee may seek election to the Negotiating Team but cannot vote.

4. The Negotiating Team shall implement this strategy, priorities and tactics determined by the Joint Group.
5. The Leader shall lead the Negotiating Team. All other members of the Negotiating Team shall have equal status. The Leader may appoint a further member of the Negotiating Team to bring specific expertise to the Team.
6. During negotiations, the Negotiating Team may seek whatever advice they think appropriate from people who are not members of the Negotiating Team.
7. The Negotiating Team will report the outcome of the negotiations to:
   
   1. the Scottish Parliamentary Group

   2. The Joint Group;
8. If the Negotiating Team reach a proposed agreement with another party or parties (the “proposal”):
   
   1. The Scottish Parliamentary Group will consider the proposal;
      
   2. The Joint Group shall meet as soon as it is practical after the Scottish Parliamentary Group. The Joint Group will invite the Convener (or a substitute) from each local and regional party and a representative from each Council Group to attend this meeting. “Joint Group” in 8b, 8c, 9 and 10 refers to the enlarged
      group.
      
   3. If the Scottish Parliamentary Group has approved the proposal, the Joint group shall consider the proposal following a presentation from the Leader and the Negotiating Team.
      
   4. The members of the Executive and the Policy Committee (acting jointly) will then decide upon the proposal.
9. If the Joint Group approves the proposal, the Leader and such other representatives of the Party as are thought appropriate may enter into the proposed agreement on the Party’s behalf.
10. If the Scottish Parliamentary Group or the members of the Executive Committee and the Policy Committee (acting jointly) rejects the proposal, or agreement cannot be reached, the Joint Group shall consider the Parliamentary strategy to be followed by the Party thereafter. If the Joint Group decides that the Party should negotiate with another party or parties, paragraphs 2-10 shall apply as appropriate equally to those Negotiations.