SEVERAL of the SNP's newly elected MPs used conference speeches to rail against Westminster's age old traditions. The no clapping rule was a favourite target. Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh won a big round of applause when she told delegates: "You can clap. We can't - yet."

FISH and chips, burgers and foot-long sausages were the order of the day for hungry delegates at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, where a special fast food hall has been set up to feed the throng. Another popular lunch was the "SNP meal deal" - a sandwich, drink, crisps and chocolate for £6.50.

Joanna Cherry, the QC elected to represent Alistair Darling's former seat of Edinburgh South West, is the SNP's justice spokeswoman in the Commons. "But I'm a first time conference speaker," she told delegates. "So please be gentle with me."