In an age when party political conferences can be so tightly controlled and there is no room for even the most minor dissent, it was refreshing yesterday to see the SNP allow a real debate on real policy.

The issue which threatened to cause division and thus allow the political hacks to sharpen their pens to write about “massive blows to the leadership” and “party splits” was booze ... specifically whether the age of purchase of alcohol in off-sales and supermarkets should be raised to 21.

The idea is contained in a consultation from the SNP government at Holyrood on tackling Scotland's notorious relationship with the demon drink, and it has caused an uproar among students, the retail trade and even police officers, who say it would be almost impossible to enforce.

When the Young Student Nationalists put up an amendment to conference saying it was not the way to go, the leadership did not try to fudge it. The debate when it came yesterday was surprisingly tame, punctuated by poorly delivered speeches. After Shona Robison, the junior Health Minister, made clear that this was a work in progress in a government consultation and that the conference should not attempt to tie ministers', the issue changed subtly to one of delegate loyalty to the leadership.

Conference decisively rejected the case for dumping the age of purchase proposal. If it had not, ministers would have needed a stiff drink to recover from the shock. At least the subject was fully aired, and the SNP should be congratulated for that.

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