Party faithful on the conference trail

Hundreds of Scottish Labour Party members are attending their party's spring conference in Aviemore in the Highlands.

But who goes to the gathering and why?

Two Scottish Labour foot soldiers, Claudia Beamish and Stuart Clark, tell BBC Scotland's news website about what makes them agree to go.

Claudia
Beamish

As a delegate, just before Scottish Conference is when I go through thinking "why did I ever agree to go?" - nothing to wear and everything to wash, speeches half prepared, unpaid leave and missing a Michael Marra concert. Yet as I write, it all comes back - this is the time for members. It's great to have time to say: "What did you mean by that?". It's also a chance to talk issues through over a drink. I always leave conference understanding more about different perspectives within the Labour movement and how they do, or might, fit together.

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Stuart
Clark

My first Scottish Labour conference was when I was 16. I'd just joined the party and had started to get involved. I think my local party were taking a bit of a chance on me by selecting me as their delegate and I was grateful because it was an amazing experience. I felt at home at that first conference because I knew I was in a party that wanted a better life for people. It was obvious I was in a party who wouldn't look the other way whilst life chances were squandered. It was exciting to meet so many people who were passionate about tackling inequality.

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