SNP Charges £750 Ticket for Business Event with Stephen Flynn in Westminster

Published: 23 February 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has come under fire for charging £750 per ticket to attend a high‑profile business event that includes the opportunity for attendees to enjoy a “beer and a blether” with SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, amid a campaign‑conscious moment ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliament elections.

Marketed as the party’s annual Business Day, the event — scheduled for 16 March at the One Great George Street conference centre in Westminster — is aimed at senior business leaders and public affairs professionals, offering them what organisers describe as “a rare opportunity to engage directly with senior SNP figures at a pivotal moment for Scotland’s economy.” Attendees will hear from senior speakers including Kate Forbes and John Swinney, who will deliver keynote addresses, followed by a “beer and a blether” session with Flynn and veteran broadcaster Bernard Ponsonby. (turn0search16)

The event is being pitched as a chance for paid‑up professionals to network and discuss how decisions in the next parliamentary term could affect growth, operations and long‑term investment in Scotland. However, the £750 price tag has sparked criticism from political opponents, most notably Jackie Baillie, the deputy leader of Scottish Labour, who labelled the cost “eye‑watering” and questioned the value offered for money, especially characterising it as an steep price for a pint with an MP.

Defending the ticket pricing, a spokesperson for the SNP responded by framing the event as a high‑value, practical engagement opportunity, suggesting critics’ remarks were rooted in political rivalry as Labour head toward what they expect will be a challenging Holyrood election. The party has been pushing to facilitate discussions between business and political leadership at a time when economic policy and investment decisions are high on the agenda.

The move to hold an expensive ticketed event comes as the SNP reports relatively low levels of cash donations, with most of its current receipts coming from public funding, and only modest private funds reported last year, increasing the scrutiny on how the party is positioning itself ahead of next year’s elections. Critics warn that high ticket costs risk alienating broader support and feeding narratives about political elites being out of touch with ordinary voters.

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