Tories eye 'grand slam' gathering

Annabel Goldie and David Cameron are both attending the "Grand Slam Conference" in Perth

By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland news website

For the last year or so, David Cameron has been talking about his aspiration to be the prime minister of the whole UK, should he win the next election.

The dilemma he faces in Scotland, though, means the Conservative leader has been walking a bit of a tightrope, of late.

On one hand, there's his policy for the UK and Scottish Governments to better co-operate with each other and, on the other, there's the SNP's drive for independence.

At Holyrood, Annabel Goldie and her troops have arguably been the most co-operative of all the opposition politicians when it comes to the minority government.

The Tories have continued to criticise SNP policies, not least in areas such as justice reform, but they did back the budget on the occasion when it was defeated at Holyrood, partly because of ministers' agreement to take on the party's town centre regeneration fund.

The more immediate concern is the level of public outrage over MP expenses, which at the moment has made debate about policy and election strategy all a bit academic

In his speech to last year's Scottish Conservative conference, Mr Cameron spoke of the "ugly stain of separatism" seeping through the British flag.

This year, with one eye on the next UK election, Mr Cameron knows that even if he emerges victorious, his party is not likely to make a large enough impact in Scotland to give him an "automatic mandate", as he puts it.

It is on this basis he would need to balance his relationship with the SNP on policy grounds, while maintaining his absolute opposition to independence.

Of course, Mr Cameron's speech isn't the only thing happening at this year's Scottish conference, in Perth.

Appearances by rugby legends Gavin Hastings and Jim Aitken - who recently announced he was donating £100,000 to the party - has led the Tories to brand the event as it's "Grand Slam Conference".

The eminent QC, Paul McBride, will attend the conference to speak during a debate on justice.

The party is probably more keen to show off Mr McBride as its latest high-profile supporter, in the wake of the lawyer's decision a couple of weeks ago to abandon his lifelong support for Labour to join the Conservatives.

'Renewing Trident'

Other notable guests include the former RAF pilot Colin McGregor - brother of actor Ewan - and Iain McMillian, of the business group CBI Scotland.

It all has the air of a party which at least wants to convey the picture that it's heading for government.

The more immediate concern, though, is the level of public outrage over MP expenses, which at the moment has made debate about policy and election strategy all a bit academic.

This is the week Conservatives became the focus of the Daily Telegraph reportage on the issue - with three Tory MPs agreeing to pay back House of Commons expenses claimed for swimming pool maintenance.

Expenses is one thing - if he becomes PM, it's probably unlikely Mr Cameron would be able to completely put an end to the squabbling between the Labour and SNP government which he so despises.

When it comes to renewing Trident nuclear missiles on the Clyde the Scottish Government can object, but it doesn't ultimately have a say.

But Holyrood ministers are likely to continue to use devolved planning powers to block new nuclear power stations, no matter who is in power at Westminster.

That means Mr Cameron might have a tougher time implementing his hug-a-Nationalist policy - if that indeed is what he's aiming for - than he first thought.

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