The Scottish National Party (SNP) conference was told that Scotland can "no longer afford the Union". This statement — not really a surprise from a left-leaning nationalist party advocating secession from the United Kingdom — came from SNP finance secretary John Swinney. Mr Swinney said the SNP, which is seeking a second term in government after next May's Holyrood election, had worked hard to support families and businesses during the recession. He continued: "The stark truth is that we can no longer afford the Union."