18/03/2017 Scottish National Party Conference

Welcome to our coverage of the SNP's spring conference in Aberdeen.

At 3:30, we'll hear from the party leader, Nicola Sturgeon,

We'll have that live, as conference gears

Conference, this challenge comes down to Scotland against the Tories,

and this time, Scotland is going to win. Thank you.

APPLAUSE And I will bring you all of the news

and analysis from the conference centre in Aberdeen.

The SNP conference is rounding off quite

The First Minister called for a second referendum.

This afternoon, we wait to hear Nicola Sturgeon's next steps.

Our political editor Brian Taylor is standing

by at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Good afternoon, Brian. What a week in politics. Good afternoon. It's

been quite something, hasn't it? From the First Minister's

declaration that she was demanding a transfer of powers to bring about a

referendum, to the Prime Minister saying: certainly not happening

during the period of Brexit. What do we expect from Nicola Sturgeon? I

think she reach out beyond the conference hall to those who are

watching at home who perhaps just feel a little bit weary about the

idea of a second referendum at this stage. I think she will say she

understands that point, she empathises with it to some degree,

but I think she will try and turn the argument around, purely from the

European Union, to say it is about the sort of country that Scotland

is, or rather, can be. She has made the argument before, but I think she

would try to argue that, on the one hand, you have the option of a hard

right concept of Brexit. On the other hand, she will say that you

have the option of an independent Scotland with a progressive

standpoint. I don't think she will neglect the day job, a phrase which

has been used by several ministers, in which they say the independent

argument is central to the wider interests of Scotland. I expect some

policy announcements on health, education and the economic sector,

but the biggest issue, Andrew, will be the issue of a referendum. Had

evening delegates are viewing this? Would hesitantly optimistic be a

good phrase? -- how do you think delegates are viewing this? I think

there is a determination in the audience, but I think there is also

a point that John Swinney made at the end of his speech. His speech

was primarily about policy, about education and their education

record, defending it vigorously, but at the end he turned to independents

and he for cool heads on this. In other words, he said it was not a

time to be vigorous ranting raving or whatever. It was a time to argue

the case with the Prime Minister, and the point you are hearing from

SNP leaders, from the leader of the Scottish Government is that they

believe the Prime Minister's case is unsustainable. But she believes that

now is not the time, the phrase she used, leading up to and beyond the

period of Brexit, but she is not prepared to sanction discussions at

all at the moment on the question of independence. She isn't even

prepared to talk about it. She says, get Brexit out of the way, let it

settle down, and then maybe perhaps, presumably at a time of the Prime

Minister's choosing. Of course, that is unacceptable to Nicola Sturgeon.

We have got a complete stand-off. Much more from Brian later.

I'm now joined by Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University.

Good afternoon, John. Thank you for being with us again. Quite a week in

politics. What is your reading of the situation, and how do you think

Nicola Sturgeon might perhaps try and move things on from the current

impasse? I think the situation is clear, in that certainly Nicola

Sturgeon's opening gambit is, I would like to hold a referendum. As

the Brexit negotiations are coming to a conclusion, but before Scotland

has left the UK. Why does she want to do that? In truth, probably

because she reckons that is the point in the process where there

might be thought to be greatest uncertainty about the status quo.

Given that one of the things that was disadvantageous to the argued

that the referendum was the bidding for some but, well, at least we know

what Great Britain is about and we can hang on to the status quo

whereas, if we go for independence, there is a of uncertainty. When she

talks about there being a choice, she is saying that she wants people

to choose between two uncertainties, without it all on my side of the

argument. Theresa May, in contrast, is saying that she doesn't want it

on that time frame on the other hand, she clearly doesn't feel able

to say no, even though many a Conservative politician in Scotland

has said that people in Scotland don't want this, and why are we for

a generation which she seems to be saying, we should now wait to see

how Brexit falls out before making a choice. I think the subtext is

clear, which is that she would like to be able to delay this referendum

until after May 2021, when we are due to having another election in

Scotland for the Scottish parliament and maybe the SNP will their

majority. The difficulty with her position is, can she really string

out delaying the referendum for yet another two years? I think the fact

that Nicola Sturgeon at the back end up yesterday, said she is willing to

negotiate over the date may well mean that Theresa May fans Belize

find in the end it is quite difficult to say, well, maybe it

shouldn't be in September 2019 or 710 -- or September 20 20. John,

thank you. Much more from you later. The SNP deputy leader is with Brian.

Thank you. I am joined by Angus Robertson. Mr Robertson, an issue

that we think the First Minister is going to address and others have

addressed is just offering understanding that some people,

perhaps even including those in the independence Yes camp, are a bit

weary about a referendum in this stage, or in the timescale set out

by the Prime Minister. I think there is definitely a feeling of people

being unsettled because there is a lot going on, not just with Brexit

but internationally. I think people have concerns, and we have to

recognise that, but I think what the First Minister is going to be

reflecting on is that doing nothing is really not an option. Otherwise,

things will just happen to us and we will not be the masters of our own

destiny. That is why we need to understand that we have options. We

should have a say, we should be able to determine our future and not have

the hardest, most dangerous and damaging form of Brexit foisted on

us in Scotland, given that we didn't even vote for it. Ward is there any

way you can envisage of ending this impasse between the governments? I

think so, because the timescale is all-important. We understand, when

the negotiations start, the Article 50 process, it will take about two

years and one will be negotiating for most of that I agree that one

should be able to concentrate on the negotiations, and one would only

choose on one would accept or reject what has been negotiated after that.

It's important to understand that, in the last months of this two-year

process, there will be a process of approval in Britain, in the House of

Commons and House of Lords, which isn't even elected, and the European

Parliament across 27 member states. When we get to that stage, I think

it will be totally unsustainable for UK Government to suggest that

everybody else, in London, Brussels, across Europe, that they will have a

choice about Scotland's future but the only place we will not be able

to determine that is in our own country. So I think in that period

is the optimal one when we could have a referendum, and I think it is

an inevitability that the Prime Minister will have to agree with

one. But you want talks with the Prime Minister now about the section

30 transfer of powers to Hollywood. That means in practice that the

referendum campaign would be underway, and the Prime Minister

would say that is the wrong thing to be doing while you are trying to

focus on Britain's departure from the EU. -- transfer of powers to

Holyrood. We should bear in mind there will be a debate in the

Scottish Parliament next week. I think the anticipation is that a

majority in our Parliament will vote for there to be a referendum. Given

that we are supposed to be in a democracy, when our parliament voted

in favour of something, the UK Government shouldn't take that

likely, so I would appeal to the Prime Minister to reflect carefully

on what she is saying. She has not said never. I agree that now is not

the time, but at some stage we will need to get the ball rolling on the

technicalities of how a referendum would work. The good news is that we

have had one, so we know how to do it, so it doesn't need to be long

and drawn out. Is the Scottish government willing as a government

to extend autumn 18 to spring 19? She suggested there might be

discussions with the Prime Minister. Are you willing to look at 2019?

People in Scotland should be able to determine our future before we are

taken out of the EU. If we are taken out of the EU, that is obviously

disregarding the 62% of people in our country voted to remain. There

is a sweet spot, but it could move, because we don't know exactly when

the would end, we know that there will be a hard backstop on the

two-year period. Some people are saying that there may be extensions

from the negotiations agreed with the EU... So 2019 is probably the

last date. We don't know. Between the end of the and the period where

the UK would formally leave. You have said that Scotland will have

its say. Does that mean, if the Prime Minister doesn't budge, that

you go ahead with some form of unofficial, unsanctioned referendum?

I am focused on persuading the Prime Minister. ... Is that a possibility?

I understand that he wanted to ask questions from ten different angles

but I think, given that we have a referendum on our country's future,

we know the format and how it works, I think that is what will happen. We

need to persuade the Prime Minister that, as a democrat, she should

understand that Scots should be able to determine their own future and

have a choice once the negotiations are underway. I appreciate that is

your objective, but is it feasible to hold an unsanctioned referendum?

It isn't the route we are looking to go down. We are looking to secure

agreement with the UK Government. After all, if the UK Government was

simply to say, it's impossible, you can never choose about your future,

it starts getting very difficult for the Prime Minister to sustain an

argument that the United Kingdom is based on respect and a partnership

of equals, and she herself will do more to undermine the UK than

anybody else. But if the grandest said that she will consult, she was

keen to have engagement with the Scottish Government, but she didn't

say that you have to agree before she proceeded with Article 50. She

said she wanted a UK wide approach before triggering Article 50 but

that would be in agreement. She said she wouldn't be triggering Article

50 until she thought we had a UK approach and objectives for

negotiations, but couldn't that just be that she has formulated policy in

Downing Street? No doubt she is arguing that, but the idea that the

Prime Minister in London with only one MP in Scotland, that she

understands the views of people in Scotland, it isn't credible. If you

want to work with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you have to do

it. She doesn't have agreement. There are still some days and weeks

to do it and I would encourage her to do it. Angus Robertson, thank

you. Now, the youngest MP in the Commons,

Mhairi Black, received a standing ovation when she told

delegates she's "going nowhere There's been speculation

about whether she would want The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire

South was speaking in a debate I should start by making clear the

conference and to party members and also to my constituents that,

despite recent media reports from various outlets, I am going nowhere

until the job's done. CHEERING

Now, while my disdain for Westminster is no secret, and my

desire for there to be no need for me to have to be there should be no

surprise, I have to say that the Tory in a fit sanctions regime has

to be one of the worst things to ever come out of that place. -- the

Tory benefit sanctions regime. I have heard truly harrowing stories

from people throughout the UK who have struggled to feed themselves,

to clothe themselves and to keep a roof over their head, because the UK

Government has left them with absolutely nothing. There is a new

MP -- as a new MP, I said I would try to make some small but

effective, common-sense changes to benefit sanctions, so last year I

secured a private members bill, a rare opportunity for backbench MPs

to create a law, and I wanted to ensure that a person's mental and

physical health, the care and responsibilities and risk of

homelessness had to be taken into account before any sanction could be

applied. Of course, the bill was shot down. Very few Labour MPs

showed up to support the bill and the Tory minister proceeded to talk

it out. Tory MPs didn't believe and couldn't imagine how anyone could

suffer under their amazing system. I told them that they should watch the

incredibly powerful and absolutely gut-wrenching film by the very

talented Ken Loach, I Daniel Blake. And I would still urge anyone who

wants to understand what is actually happening to people in our society

to watch it, but again, this fell on deaf ears and was coldly dismissed

as purely fiction. If I had the power to do so, I would scrap the

sanctions regime immediately, and that is why I am proud, and I think

we should all be proud, that the SNP government in Scotland have chosen

to take a different approach when it comes to social security. We know

that benefit sanctions actually cause the vulnerable to fall into

hardship. We know it makes it harder for people to find work, and we know

that sanctions cost ministers more than they save, and the government

must know that this contradicts their arguments. I have told them

often enough! So that begs the question, what is the real reason

they like to impose sanctions? Once you remove common-sense, the only

argument left is ideology. The Conservative Party have always

sought to cause division between groups of society in order to

prevent that very same society from uniting and holding those in

positions of power to account, so someone can't make a Jobcentre

meeting in order to receive the incredibly small and only income

that they can get. Surely it is our duty to understand why, not simply

to take the life in a way? Fundamentally, any government should

not be making its own citizens destitute, and that is exactly what

this Tory government is doing. APPLAUSE

So let me be clear, it is not fiction, it is not exaggerated and

it is a reality for far too many people. If Westminster refuses to

use the powers it has to end this cruelty, I have an idea, let's bring

those very powers back up the road and let the Scottish Government do

the job right. Thank you. APPLAUSE

Let's go back to the conference where Brian has some

Yes, indeed. Well this business of a referendum, it is causing a lot of

interest here. It is about two Parliament, the Scottish Parliament

and the Westminster Parliament.. Am delighted to say I am joined by an

MP and MSP: Thank you for joining us. Looking forward to the First

Minister's, I am in my Westminster mode, First Minister speeches. What

are you anticipating from her? I am looking for her to talk about the

choice that Scotland is facing. I imagine she will talk about the

independence referendum and the section 30 that will be going

through the Scottish Parliament she will talk about domestic policy and

things happening in Holyrood. She wants to use the phrase forget about

the day job, there will be a bit on that as well. On this business of

the referendum. We expect she will try and make a contrast between what

Britain would be under Conservative rule and what Scotland could be

under what she will say will be progressive governance, is that a

genuine choice? Is it it not between the European Union and the UK? This

is an important choice the people of Scotland have. We didn't want to be

in this position as a country. Scotland voted to remain in the

European Union, but we are where we are, and we have now the choice

between right-wing Tory hard Brexit, leaving the single market, or making

our own decisions is about our own future, that is what the First

Minister will be talking about today, what we will be voting on in

the Scottish Parliament next week, and that is a significant choice for

the Parliament to make next week, then for the country. Is that not a

bogus choice in even if you characterise the Conservative

Government in the way you do, it is the current Government, not

necessarily the Government for all time of the United Kingdom. It could

be argued you would lose the United Kingdom links in protest as a

contemporaneous government? It is not a bogus choice. I see

constituents that are suffering from Tory austerity, the level of people

that are going to good banks for example. That is not a bogus choice

they face, on a daily basis. It is very important choice about our

future and it is about the type of country that we want. Do you want a

right-wing Tory, and yes, they will be in power for some time, you know,

you have senior members in the Labour Party that know that under

Jeremy Corbyn there is no opportunity for Labour to be

elected, until 2030, so when we look at that and we are looking at not

just this Tory Government but more Tory Governments to come, with no

change to Tory austerity, that is why Scotland needs to choose its own

destiny. Say Scotland is offered that choice, you are saying go down

the road of independence, particularly in protest as the

policy of the incumbent Government. It could be arguing that as I put to

Shirley Anne you lose the connections with the United Kingdom

which your importants would argue are vital The thing is the problem

we have got. One of the biggest problems is this Tory government is

the one that, it is taking decisions that will shape the future of the

whole of the United Kingdom, for ever more, so the decisions they

make today cannot be rolled back on, if you think about things like

single market membership, freedom of movement of people, those will set

the future of the whole of the UK, now we want Scotland to have a

choice to not go down that route, and that is why we are looking at

the independence referendum. It could be said you had a referendum

in 2014 that determined Scotland's attitude to independence. This is

only three years on from that point. You talked about a generational

vote. I don't think anyone thinks that the goalposts haven't shifted

significantly. We weren't looking at the EU referendum coming up. We were

told if we wanted to stay we would vote to stay in the United Kingdom.

Things have change since then, we need to give Scottish people a

chance for future. The Prime Minister is saying no, she is saying

no within 2 timescale, if she continues to say no, would you think

it is feasible to hold if you like an unauthorised unsanctioned

non-cons is you'll referendum? The The him Prime Minister has made one

screeching you feel turn round the National Insurance and left a gaping

hole in the budget doing that. That is a policy matter in the budget,

admittedly a very large one, but it is a policy matter in the budget.

This would be about the nature of the governance of the United

Kingdom, and she says she ain't going to shift on that in terms of

the timetable. This is about democracy and whether you are going

to allow the will of the Scottish Parliament and people to decide our

own future. Would you contemplate a sort of unauthorised referendum on

none consensual referendum? We have the vote in the Scottish Parliament

coming up on Wednesday, I think it would be exceptionally ill-judged of

the Prime Minister to ignore the will of the Scottish Parliament, if

we win that majority which I expect we will. The Prime Minister needs to

look seriously then at her relationship. She talked about a

partnership of equals, if she remotely believes any of that

rhetoric, which herself and David Cameron came out with, the time is

to listen to the Scottish Parliament, listen to the Scottish

people, and let Scotland decides its future. The Prime Minister might say

that matters of the constitution, matters affecting a referendum are

deliberately reserved to Westminster, in the Scotland act

1998, and that she has the mandate at Westminster. The Prime Minister

was elected, in fact the Prime Minister has not been elected Prime

Minister, the Prime Minister was elected with a smaller share of the

constituency vote than the First Minister was elected with. This is

going to go through the Scottish Parliament we imagine on Wednesday

and it will go through the Scottish Parliament with a majority now, the

Prime Minister would be very unwise to go against the will of the

Scottish people in this regard. Would it be going against the will

of the Scottish people? Are they yearn foger a referendum? If you

look round here. Here they are! If you speak to people here. I will

give you that one, here they would be in favour of it. People in the

street are saying I didn't want a hard Brexit, I want tot have a

choice. OK, thanks both. Very you very much indeed.

Education is their number one priority ,

John Swinney, the Education Secretary, made a surprisingly

He warned the Prime Minister must not trample on Scottish

sovereignty, but first he focussed on how he was improving Scotland's

For all the progress we have made, we know there is still more we have

to do. That sometimes requires making tough choices and not shying

away from difficult choice, the easy choice to make as the First Minister

said on Monday would be to wait to see how things pan out. That applies

equally to education as it does to our constitutional future. But I am

not prepared to wait and see if the current way of doing things will be

enough to deliver an education system that is world class, a system

that can provide equity and excellence for all of our children.

To achieve our. A Biggses, means making change happen. That means

creating a different way of delivering education, creating

better structure that empower teacher, schools communities and

families so I am choosing to change our approach to school education. It

means listening to teachers and not being afraid to tackle workload to

football team up to teach and our children freed up to learn. So I

choose... APPLAUSE

So I choose to declutter the curriculum and reduce the amount of

assessment, it means targeting resources to where the need is

greatest, so we have chosen to make more funding available to Local

Authorities and schools with the greatest level of deprivation, with

more money directly into the hands of head teachers who are best

placed, best placed to know what their school and children need to

succeed. It means apse plying a consistent approach to improvement

and assessment, so we can see where we might need to do more or to do

things differently. And it means ensuring that we have the right

people with the right skills in our classrooms and schools, so we will

continue to expect Local Authorities, to maintain teacher

number, and pupil-teacher ratio, all of these measures are required, to

ensure we can deliver our ambition of a world class education system in

Scotland. APPLAUSE

Friends, democratic sovereignty is not a gift to be given or with held

at the whim of a Tory Prime Minister. Sovereignty does not

belong to Theresa May. It rests First Ladily with the people of

Scotland. APPLAUSE

And it is people's right and their right alone to exercise it as they

choose, through the Government they elect, and the Parliament it serves.

The sights of a Tory Prime Minister trampling over the rights of the

Scottish people, the right to choose the form of Government they wish to

have, is an outrage to every Democrat, yes or no in the land, it

will not, it cannot stand as an approach.

APPLAUSE .

Friends, I share the outrage that every Democrat feels that the action

of the Westminster Tory Government, but I say to you, this is a time for

cool heads. Cool, clear heads, that must now stand up for Scotland's

sovereignty. That is what the choice ahead of us amounts to. The chance

to choose our future, to determine what kind of future we want for our

children, and young people, and the kind of country we want to hand on,

to future generations. That is the straightforward choice, we will be

asking Scotland to make. So let us work to persuade our fellow Scots,

to choose independence, and achieve the future that all of us want to

achieve for our children. Thank you very much.

Let's join Brian Taylor, who's with Fiona Hyslop -

You have been in discussion with other European nations and other

European Governments, do you accept that at the point of there being the

referendum under the timetable set out by the First Minister, do you

accept that Scotland would be either part of the UK on her way out of the

European Union, at that point, out? At the point we are now, there is no

indication or wise that the UK is leaving and there are, if we don't

do anything, Scotland will be out. So there is a period of time we are

not having the referendum now, the referendum is obviously in 18

months' time to two years, by which time there will be will be more

certainty of other thing, what the shape of the negotiation from the UK

is in terms of Brexit but what any transition might be, either for the

UK on its own or perhaps for an independent Scotland. You accept

that Scotland would be out and going back in, you wouldn't have the idea

you had previously of automatic membership being assumed by an

independent Scottish state? In terms of what we will be, we will have to

have negotiation with the member states and the European Commission,

we don't know what situation we might be in in two years' time, that

is what the space and time, the dialogue I have been having since

June with other European countries was won, to set out what we were

trying to do as part of the United Kingdom, they were sympathetic,

understand our dilemma, recognised if the UK were to support Scotland

we were in a good place, but with the intransigence of the UK

Government, we found ourself new a different position. You accept

Scotland would be out and you hope back in? You intend back in? Out

first? The mechanics of where we will be will come clear once we know

what the UK's negotiating position is in terms of Brexit, but as of

now, we can anticipate not only will the UK be out of the EU, so would

Scotland, so therefore we have to allow ourselves some opportunity to

take a different path, and the different path is what we will set

out in advance of the referendum. Do you think there would be European

widespread European welcome for that or would some be concerned about a

member state fragmenting perhaps Spain being an example? We have

spoken to a number of country, I spoke to the Spanish over a number

of months in different circumstances, with the Spanish

ambassador, the previous one, the current one, and also, in terms of

other Governments as well. They understand this is a unique

situation, there has never been a situation where anybody has left

before, so anything should be seen within the context of the UK

leaving, that is quite, complex, yes, it is difficult but it is for

the UK as a whole, so therefore they understand we are trying to forge a

way that is sensible, that is pragmatic, that is pro European in

terms of support. But you accept would have to negotiate terms,

discuss and negotiate terms with the other member states We have said

that previously. What would be the currency Scotland would adopt? We

don't know the situation we would be in terms of the Ukraine, in terms of

Brexit, the timescale and we will make sure all the information that

is required, both for the negotiations and for the economic

situation will be set out, in advance for the referendum, most

important thing now is Scotland's democracy and our rights to hold

that referendum is respected politically and morally by the UK

Government and that is why the medium situation has to be about the

rights of the Scottish Parliament, to exercise its democratic, it is

elected democratic power this week as we go forward to get the powers

to allow us to embark what is an 18-two-year job. I will ask this, is

it feasible to hold a referendum without a section 30 transfer of

powers, unauthorised referendum? It is essential that Theresa May

respects the democracy of the Scottish Parliament it would be

outrage if the UK Government were not to agree what is an elected

position in terms of mandate, it is in our manifesto we were elected on

that, it is not about one party or one Government, the Scottish

Parliament has to be respected, and Theresa May will be in very

dangerous grounds if she does not respect the Scottish Parliament.

Thank you very much for joining us here.

Delegates passed a resolution yesterday demanding that the UK

Government does more to help support the North Sea oil and gas industry.

Gillian Martin, the MSP for Aberdeenshire East, said

"the Treasury simply has not done enough".

What was the industry promised last week? They promised a panel of

experts, a discussion paper, a talking shop, a kick into the long

grass. As the Deputy First Minister pointed out last week, at FAQs, the

Scottish oil and gas has been a massive bonus to the UK. Over the

life of North Sea oil and gas, over ?330 billion have been generated to

the UK Treasury. Brought ashore in people who are now being betrayed.

APPLAUSE It is time to get a return on that

bonus. Where are the broad shoulders of the UK? Tory minister, energy

Minister Greg Clarke is on record as saying, the oil and gas industry is,

quote, a huge priority for the UK. Well, Mr Clark and Mr Hammond, prove

it. APPLAUSE

When is that action going to happen? Today, tomorrow or too late to make

any impact? Or, to coin a phrase, is now not the right time? Support the

revolution. CHEERING

We welcome the fact that latterly there has been a discussion paper

and a panel, but operators and supply chain companies have had a

tough period. Today, there are still 125,000 jobs still involved in the

industry in Scotland. As a government, we are taking forward

the energy jobs task force, which has set aside four job events, 3500

people affected by redundancy have attended those. We have set up 64

new businesses. Scottish enterprise engaged directly with 800 oil and

gas companies, via 36 events, providing targeted resilient

support. We have helped 1700 individuals through the transition

training fund to get training into new jobs, within the industry or

outside it. ?12.5 million has been provided for innovation and business

resilience funding. 78 innovation projects worth ?16 million, with ?7

million Scottish Government funding. I was born and brought up in the

north-east and one of the things that became clear to me, living

here, the powers to prioritise the industry should not be in the

south-east of England. They should be here in Scotland. Because,

conference, the situation at the moment is not only untenable, it is

outrageous. Every week in Holyrood and Westminster, the Tory benches

celebrate the challenges to our industry, which has so long made up

for Westminster economic shock. One of our nation's prized industries

has not been used to tackle social issues, it has not been used to

create a fund for the future. It is being used by UK Government for one

thing only, making political points, and that with this clueless -- that

is ridiculous. That was some of the debate on oil. Now back to Brian in

the conference centre. He has some more guests.

I'm joined by three delegates from the party. Thank you, all. We have

talked policy that conference. It is independence that is the subject the

referendum. Ross Aitchison, why is it referendum required at this

stage, and it is only a couple of years since the last one? It is

clear that the circumstances have changed substantially since last

June's EU referendum. The terms that Scotland voted on our fundamental

different to the existing situation. You promised a referendum once in a

generation, indeed, once in a lifetime. This is the generation of

Brexit and the situation is fundamentally different to 2014. You

believe that the nature of political discourse has changed a consequence

of Brexit. Absolutely. Lots of things have changed since 2014, not

least of which the vowels which were promised to us. Within 48 hours,

they were Reinecke Don. But those would say that they were delivered

in full. The Smith commission was watered down so much. People who

were staunch No supporters came out in force, they were so disgusted

with the situation. These people joined the SNP. That is where the

surge came from, we went from 20,000 members to 120,000 members. You

can't ignore that. The people who voted No voted to stay. I believe

you joined the party on the day of the Brexit referendum. Tell me about

that. Was on holiday in Jamaica and I arrived back on Friday morning to

find I had arrived in Brexit Britain, with a planeload of shocked

Jamaicans and visitors. That day, that was my last straw. That

country, which sadly as you can see I am from, it is... You are from

London. Yes, it's a different planet to the country here in Scotland. We

need the right to choose a different destiny. Let them go off on their

Brexit island, but we don't want to go there with them. You say the last

straw. What prompted that change in your mind? The EU referendum

essentially was a referendum based on the frankly racist debate of

politics down there against migrants, generally, and

Islamophobia. A terrible atmosphere. We don't have the same in Scotland.

In Scotland, we talk about welcoming. Our leadership is all

about including people from abroad, welcoming their contributions,

wanting to recognise their equal citizenship. We had the exact

opposite debate during our EU referendum, which is why 67% of

people voted to remain. I can see you have been nodding. Absolutely.

Scotland is an inclusive country. Is that universally true? I think it is

to a large extent. Not absolutely 100%, but what country is? We will

always have those who disagree. In terms of the EU workers, we have had

that going on for a very long time. This is not something new. They

contribute immensely to our economy. They pay their taxes and work so

hard. I think they have a right to stay. Isn't it reasonable for the

Prime Minister to say that that would be settled once the situation

is settled with regard to Britons living in the European Union? I am

not convinced by that. I don't think she will keep to it. You want a

fully fledged referendum, with section 30 powers transferred to

Holyrood, sanctioned and agreed, but is it feasible you could have one

that isn't authorised? That is not the situation anybody wants to find

themselves in. We went through the previous referendum, getting the

Edinburgh agreement. There was mutual understanding as to the

terms. I think that is the road we have to try to aim to travel down.

The UK Government will talk to the Scottish parliament, clearly after

the Scottish Parliament has at its vote this week. Could you do that? I

think there has to be some sort of negotiations start. But if the Prime

Minister won't talk, if she says she will get back later after Brexit? If

she continues to ignore Scotland's voice, she does it at her parole.

Every time she speaks, she is adding 5000 votes to the pro-independence

camp. To see the evil in Parliament, where Scottish MPs, supposedly

equal, can't speak and vote on English matters, but 150 Tory MPs

will turn up to Scottish questions to make sure that Scottish MPs can't

put real questions to David Mundell, that is the kind of equal

partnership you are dealing with. It is democratic travesty. We need

independence. You mentioned that if the PM says no, at her peril. What

are the sanctions that can be applied? She retains the reserved

power over the constitution, or Westminster does. I agree with some

of the comments that have been made by the odd Unionist politician. One

of them even said it would be impossible, with a democratic

mandate from the Scottish on it, for the Westminster government to stand

the way. Civitas the vote on Wednesday that matters. Absolutely,

and I can't see us not winning that. Best so it is the vote. What if the

Prime Minister says no? She is effectively shutting the door to any

kind of democratic discussion. We will have to forge ahead, whether

she likes it or not. It's inconceivable that the Prime

Minister would ignore the vote of the Scottish Parliament, on an issue

that is so fundamental. She could say it is a reserved matter. She

could, but the Scottish Parliament will vote this week and she will

have to come round the table and negotiate. That is the only way

forward for the Prime Minister or she heads towards another referendum

that she is going to lose. The only way she can win another Scottish

referendum is by dealing with the Scottish Government on the matter.

Thank you, all three of you. Before the keynote address

from the SNP leader, I'm joined once again by Professor

Curtice. John, what do the polls suggest

about public opinion when it comes to any appetite for a fresh

referendum? They certainly indicate there isn't wild enthusiasm. Those

polls that have asked people whether or not they think they should be a

referendum in the next couple of years or so, before the Brexit

negotiations are over, they have ranged between about 46% and 54%

saying no, and only about 35% to 41% saying that there should be. So I

think that, .1, one of the things that has been going on in this week

in truth is Nicola Sturgeon trying to persuade particularly Yes

supporters to going slightly earlier than what people thought was a good

idea. Equally, the claim on the Unionist side that Scotland is,

quote, overwhelmingly, unquote, opposed to a referendum is clearly

too strong. Certainly what is also true, as we saw in another pole,

when people are asked, should it be during Brexit, long after Brexit or

should never happen? Then you discover that the country splits

pretty much 50-50. In a sense, a post Brexit but still relatively

early referendum is probably where the modal Scottish voter is, and

therefore might be the ground for compromise. As it were, certainly

Nicola Sturgeon... But virtually all those polling figures were done

before she announced on Monday, and I think we are now looking to see

whether or not, in the wake of the announcement, she begins to turn

party opinion round. That is the crucial point, but each side is

trying to swing public opinion. As Graham Campbell was saying, each

time the Prime Minister speaks, he was saying that she adds 5000 votes

to the Yes side. Each side will have to be careful. I hate to disappoint

people but, in the backdrop to all this excitement is an

extraordinarily stable position in opinion polls, when it comes to the

central issue as to which way people would vote. If you take all of the

polls published this year, 53% for No, 47% for Yes, so No are ahead but

not by a long way. If you look at the dozen or so polls conducted

before June the 21st, the first of last year, it was 53 for No and 47

or Yes. Brexit might have changed circumstances but so far it has

changed... -- it has failed to change minds. Some people have gone

from No to Yes, some the other way, but the problem for the SNP is it

looks like there are just not enough people in Scotland who are

sufficiently upset about Scotland, along with the UK leaving the

European Union, that this will prove fruitful ground upon which to

eventually fight the referendum campaign, and I think that is why in

the course of the last few days, you have heard all of this discussion

about whether Scotland wants to remain under a Tory government

trying to impose austerity on Scotland. The SNP are trying to

widen the argument beyond simply a question on Brexit. The trouble is,

once you start doing that, inevitably questions turn up, as we

had with Fiona Hyslop, which currency might an independent

Scotland use, for example? There is that crucial growth commission,

under the former SNP, and it has still not been published, apparently

not even be made into a report, and I think the truth is, if the SNP are

wanting to widen the debate, they need to make sure they are prepared

for that debate. In effect, on Monday, whenever this referendum is

mentioned, Nicola Sturgeon started the referendum campaign and she

needs to make sure her side as the argument is not just on Brexit but

on the much wider terrain of the independence debate. Just looking at

some of other options, before we hear from the SNP leader, there has

been talk about one of the delegates saying that Mrs May's coming round

the table for some more talks... Just on holding a wildcat

referendum, all of the leading lights were putting that at arms

length. Yes, but this is an old debate. Those who have been

following this in detail for far too long have remembered what papers

produced by the first SNP minority administration which said, actually,

we think we can hold a legal referendum on independence but we

have to be careful how to work it. Paraphrasing, the question that they

thought of was, the Scottish Government enter into negotiations

with the UK Government with a view to achieving Scottish independence?

Their argument was that, because the civil convention means that changing

the powers of the Scottish Parliament can only be done with the

consent of the parliament, if we are talking about negotiations to change

the path of the parliament, that would be legal.

Let's cross live to the hall at the Aberdeen Exhibition

and Conference Centre, where the SNP leader

There is Angus Robertson, the party deputy leader introducing the First

Minister, mounting the steps at the Conference centre, to a standing

ovation. APPLAUSE

Let us hear from the First Minister and SNP leader now, as she gives her

key note Spring Conference address to the Conference, in Aberdeen.

Conference, I am aware this is not the only important event happening

in Scotland today. And no, I'm not talking about Gordon Brown

delivering the same speech again. I am, of course, referring to our

magnificent rugby team. Let's congratulate them on an outstanding

Six Nations performance. APPLAUSE

Friends, it is great to be here, in the granite city. To look out at a

conference hall packed with so many people, from all walks of life, and

from every corner of our country. You reflect the strength and depth

of the SNP. You are a reminder that other parties might appeal to one

section of our community, or one part of our country, not the SNP. We

are a national party. A national party with a truly international

list outlook. APPLAUSE

Our priority now, and for the generations who come after us, is to

build a better Scotland, for everyone who lives here. No matter

where you come from. Often... APPLAUSE

Often, in these times, I am reminded of our dear friend, the late Bashir,

Ahmed: Bashir came to work as a bus driver from Pakistan in 1941. 46

years later he became Scotland's first Asian member of our national

Parliament. The very fist time he addressed an

SNP conference Barbie articulated the simple message... It is not

where we come from that is important he said, it is where we are going

together. APPLAUSE

And today, with the forces of intolerance and xenophobia seemingly

on the rise, Bashir's words have never seemed more appropriate. Let

us rededicate ourselves today to the spirit of that message. Inclusion,

tolerance, diversity. Let's make these the foundation stones of the

better Scotland we are seeking to build.

APPLAUSE Frends, it is great to see so many

of you here today. But I hope you will forgive me, because my speech

this afternoon is not really aimed at you.

LAUGHTER . Of course, of course I could be

going out on a limb here. But I am assuming I already have your

support. APPLAUSE

I am assuming that you need no persuading that Scotland should not

be dragged out of Europe by a Tory Government intent on a disastrous

hard Brexit. APPLAUSE

And I am guessing, that you are already convinced that Scotland has

what it takes to join the family of independent nations.

APPLAUSE Well, that's a relief! Relief!

Friends, our job is not to talk to each other. It is to reach out to

those not persuaded, to put ourselves in their shoes. To

understand the hopes, fears, and ambitions of all our fellow citizen,

and to do what we can to establish common ground. Always remember

Bashir's words. Carry them with you, in your heart. What matters is where

we are going together. These words don't just apply to how we treat

those who come from other countries. They must apply to how we treat each

other, all of us who live here, and call Scotland home. We all want the

best for our country. We just have different views on how to achieve

it. As Scotland's Government we bear a special responsibility to offer a

hand across these differences, to build consensus where we can. So let

us resolve, to argue our case, with passion, and commitment, yes. But at

all times, with courtesy, understanding, and respect.

APPLAUSE In that, as in everything else, it

is my job to lead you by example. That is why I speak today, not just

as SNP leader, to our party conference, but as the First

Minister to all of Scotland. I know that the plan I set out on Monday

was music to the ears of SNP member, and independence supporters up and

down the country. Let me set out again what that plan is. After the

terms of Brexit are clear, but while there is still an opportunity to

change course, the people of Scotland will have a choice. There

will be an independence referendum. APPLAUSE

For I will know that for every one of us who is full of excitement, and

anticipation, there will be someone else feeling nervous and anxious,

perhaps even resentful. In the last few years it has been one big

decision after another. You have been bombarded with statistics,

claim, and counter claims. You might have had heated discussion with

friends and family. Even though you may feel like we do, that 2014 was a

positive and vibrant exercise of democracy, you might not relish

going through it all over again. I understand that. So I want you to

know they did not reach the decision lightly. Indeed, for months I have

strived to find compromise and agreement, with the Prime Minister.

Despite our overwhelming vote for remain, the Scottish Government

accepted that Scotland within the UK would leave the EU. But that we

should seek to retain our place in the single market. We proposed

substantial new powers for the Scottish Parliament, short of

independence, that would help protect Scotland's interests in a

post-Brexit UK. But instead of meeting us half way, or frankly any

of the way, Westminster chose to dig its heels in. Our efforts at

compromise with the Prime Minister met with a brick wall of

intransigence, and do you know, that is a concern that should resonate

far beyond Scotland. The Prime Minister's attitude should worry all

of us, hoping that negotiations with Europe will not be a disaster.

Because, and let me put this bluntly, if she shows the same

co-den seven shall be and inflexibility. The same tin ear to

other EU countries as she has to Scotland, then the Brexit process

will hit the rocks. APPLAUSE

-- conzenion. -- condescension.

Of course, the outcome. That hard line Brexiteers are agitating for.

But it would be in no-one's interests, so as Article 50 is about

to be triggered, let me say this to the Prime Minister. Stop putting the

interests of the right-wing of your party ahead of the interests of the

people of our country. APPLAUSE

For me though, the Prime Minister's refusal to bundle an inch meant that

I had to make a decision. I could have taken the easy option. I could

let Scotland drift through the next two years, hoping for the best but

knowing that the worst is far more likely. Waiting For me though, the

Prime Minister's refusal to bundle an inch meant that I had to make a

decision. I could have taken the easy option. I could let Scotland

drift through the next two years, hoping for the best but knowing that

the worst is far more likely. Waiting for the chance to say "I

told you so." Knowing that by then, it might be too late to avoid the

damage of a hard Brexit. Or, I could make a plan now, to put

the Scottish people in charge of our own future. I choose to put the

APPLAUSE APPLAUSE

The fact is, our country stands at a crossroads. The future of the UK

looks very different today than it did two years ago. We know change is

coming. The only question is, what kind of change? And on that, we are

not powerless. We can still decide which path we take. Whatever our

different opinions on independence, we can all unite around this simple

principle. Scotland's future must be Scotland's choice.

APPLAUSE Which brings me to the Prime

Minister's statement on Thursday. To stand in the way of a referendum

would deny us that choice. It would mean that the path of our country

was determined not by us for us. Decided by an increasingly

right-wing, exit obsessed Tory government, a government that some

predict will be in power now until 2030 and beyond. -- Brexit obsessed.

Thanks in no small part to the embarrassing shambles of an

opposition that Labour has become. A Tory government dominated by the

likes of Boris Johnson and Liam Fox, eluding themselves about rebuilding

the Empire and refloating the royal yacht Britannia. It seems they want

to go back in time. But it's not just nostalgia for Empire that they

are keen on. They clearly long for the days before we had a Scottish

parliament. The days when Tory governments could do anything they

wanted to Scotland, no matter how often they were rejected by the

voters, the days when they could impose the poll-tax, destroyed

Scottish industry and deny all demands for constitutional change.

The Prime Minister should understand this point and understand it well.

Those days are gone and they are not coming back.

CHEERING Next week, in line with the mandate

secured at last May's election, we will ask the Scottish Parliament to

agree that the Scottish people should have the right to choose our

own future. We will ask parliament to agree that this choice should be

exercised at a time when we know the terms Brexit but before it is too

late to take a different path. And we will ask parliament's permission

to seek the legal authority that will allow the people of Scotland to

have that choice. If a majority in the Scottish Parliament endorses

that position, the Prime Minister should be clear about this. At that

point, a fair, legal and agreed referendum on a timescale that will

allow Scotland and informed choice ceases to be just my proposal or

that of the SNP. It becomes the will of the democratically elected

parliament of Scotland. CHEERING

To stand in defiance of that would be for the Prime Minister to shatter

beyond repair any notion of the UK as a respectful partnership of

equals. She has time to think again, and I hope she does. If her concern

is timing, then within reason I am happy to have that discussion, but

let the Prime Minister be in no doubt. The will of our Parliament

must and will prevail. CHEERING

Of course, the Tories' reluctance to allow Scotland a choice isn't really

hard to fathom. They are now terrified of the verdict of the

Scottish people. APPLAUSE

They know as well as we do that what is at stake in the years ahead is

not just our place in Europe, important although that is, what is

at stake is the kind of country that we are going to be. With

independence, the country we become is up to us, all of us who live

here. We can choose to be a compassionate country, with a big

heart and a helping hand for those in need. In open country that

doesn't pull up the drawbridge and look inwards, but one that

encourages the best and brightest from around Europe to make Scotland

their home. And not just from the goodness of

our hearts, but for reasons of hard-headed self-interest as well.

Scotland needs people to want to work here, in our businesses, our

universities and public services. Of course, people have concerns about

immigration that needs to be addressed. I know that from my own

constituency. But, as we decide the kind of country we want to be, we

must be clear about the choice on offer. For the current UK

Government, ending free movement comes before everything else,

including the health of our economy. It is their number one priority.

And, make no mistake, for Scotland, the result will be lower living

standards and a hit our prosperity. So not just for the stake of our

values, but for our economic future as well, it's time to take a

different course. It's time to stand against the demonisation of

migrants, and to stand up for those who choose to join us in building a

better Scotland. Of course, we don't yet know exactly

what the Tories want a post-Brexit UK to be like. But there are two

recent developments that point the way. Last year, under pressure,

David Cameron accepted what was called the Dubs amendment. It

committed the UK to providing a safe haven for unaccompanied child

refugees, some of the most helpless and vulnerable people on our planet.

Last month, the UK Government called a halt to the Dubs scheme. We said

that their new approach to refugees was absolutely right. -- they said.

Well, I beg to differ. I think it is absolutely wrong. It is inhumane and

it must be reversed. The second issue is the status of EU

nationals. Men and women who have built lives, families and careers

here, people who, overnight, in June last year, lost all certainty about

their futures. You know, it is a depressing commentary on the state

of British democracy that it took the House of Lords to do the right

thing. But fair play to them, they did. They secured an amendment to

the Brexit Bill guaranteeing the right of EU citizens to stay in the

UK. It is even more depressing that the Westminster government then

whipped its MPs in the House of Commons to overturn that guarantee.

It is indefensible. You cannot lecture others about politics not

being a game when you are using the lives of human beings as pawns.

CHEERING Let me make this clear to everyone

across our country today. In an independent Scotland, the SNP would

guarantee unequivocally the right to stay here for all EU citizens who do

us the honour of making our country their home.

Compassionate, open-hearted and hard-headed. That's the kind of

country I want Scotland to be. We must be resourceful and enterprising

as well. No one owes Scotland a living, but we are more than capable

of learning our own success. -- earning our own success. In the

debate about our future, you, the people of Scotland, deserve to hear

us speaking frankly about the challenges facing the Scottish

economy, the challenges of independence and the challenges we

will face under an austerity obsessed Tory government pursuing a

hard Brexit. We should embrace that scrutiny. Opponents of Independence,

as is their right, will make their case by highlighting what they see

as the difficulties. It will be up to us to demonstrate how these

difficulties can be overcome. But, as we do so, let's never, ever

forget this. We have the strongest foundations on which to build.

Advantages that few nations can match. Unrivalled energy resources,

some of the world's best universities, strength in finance

and business services, cutting edge expertise in life sciences and

advanced manufacturing, a truly world-class food and industry, and

the best tourist attractions anywhere in the world.

CHEERING Well, almost the best. According to

Rough Guide, we are the second best country in the world to visit this

year, but we are aiming for the top spot.

The point I'm making is this. As we debate our future, let's do so

openly and honestly, but let no one, for or against independence, ever

seek to rundown Scotland's strengths and our nation's great potential.

What we must all do is strive to make our country even better. So,

when we look at a fiscal deficit, created an Westminster's watch,

let's decide that allowing Westminster to keep making the same

mistakes over and over again is not the best way to deal with it.

Instead, let us be a country that works out how to build, to grow and

innovate our way to a stronger and more sustainable future, in a way

that keeps faith with our own values of social justice, a country that

makes its own choices, like choosing to invest in public services and a

brighter future for our young people, not in a new generation of

nuclear weapons. Our growth commission is currently

working on a clear plan for Scotland's economic future. The

commission will conclude its work over the next few months, and we

will then present it outcome for public scrutiny and debate. It will

address the challenges that we face in a hard-headed and realistic way,

but it will also set out the massive opportunities that we have a

country, if we choose to grasp them. You know, since the Brexit vote, I

have had loads of messages from people in other parts of the UK

asking if they can move to Scotland. LAUGHTER

Now, I am sure many of them are joking, but if any of you are

listening today, there is a serious point. The UK is about to turn its

back on membership of the world's biggest single market. Imagine what

will happen if Scotland chooses to stay. We will become a magnet for

talent and investment from all across the UK.

so let me issue this open invitation today. Scotland isn't full up. If

you are as appalled as we are, at the path this Westminster Government

is taking, come and join us. APPLAUSE

Come... Come here, to live, work, invest, or study. Come to Scotland.

And be part of building a modern progressive outward looking

compassionate country. APPLAUSE

It is down to us, to make the economic case for independence. To

answer clearly the questions that people ask and we will, but we

should also be clear about this. Those who a Gus for Scotland to stay

in the UK, have big economic questions to answer too. We know

that down that path lies austerity, cuts and the impact of leaving the

single market. The Westminster Government is now even openly

threatening a race to the bottom in tax, wages and working conditions.

That is no basis for a modern economy. The kind of economy we are

seeking to build is founded on a different vision, not a race to the

bottom, but investment to lift people up. That...

APPLAUSE That is our plan, not just with

independence, but in the here and now. Since we took office,

Scotland's productivity, so crucial to our economic prospects has grown

by almost 10%. Productive in the rest of the UK has grown by just one

tenth of one percent. So we have a good record but we have more to do.

Key to our success will be digital skill, you know it is estimated if

we make better use of cloud technology and big data the benefits

to our economy could be over ?5 billion a year.

Recent studies estimate we need more than 12,000 new workers with digital

skills every year. And yet only a quarter of businesses report they

are doing anything at all to develop the technology skills of that

current workforces, we need to change that, Scotland can't afford

to lose out on the digital revolution. So I can announce today

we will establish a new three year ?36 million support fund, to

immediate meet the up front cost of digital skills training. Helping

businesses to invest in staff and build our country's future.

APPLAUSE A strong economy is the basis for

strong public services. In a few weeks' time people across the

country will make the upon who should run local service, the Tories

have based their entire campaign for the council elections on denying the

people of Scotland the right the choose our own future. Our campaign

is all about improving Scotland's communities.

APPLAUSE And here we have a very clear choice

too. Last month our budget invested in local service, the Tories voted

against that budget, because it didn't deliver a tax cut for the

highest earners. Same old Tories. Tax cuts for the richest, and just

cuts for the rest. So my... My message today is clear. Don't let

the Tories get their hands on your local service, on May 4th vote SNP.

APPLAUSE APPLAUSE

We work to build a better Scotland every single day, in May as well as

contesting these council elections, we will mark ten years of our SNP

Government. I am proud of the work we have done, but I know we have

much, much more to do. Today, I want to thank everyone up and down the

country who works in public service, I want to thank particularly those

who work in our National Health Service.

APPLAUSE And today, there are more people

working in our health service than ever before. You know, the

additional staff employed since we took office would fill this

auditorium six times over. APPLAUSE

And that is necessary, with populations getting older, pressures

on Health Services across the world, are intense. Nowhere perhaps do we

see that more clearlily than in our A service, but there we see the

commitment of our NHS professionals. In Scotland, 90.8% of patients are

seen within the four hour haar get. That is still not as good as we want

it to be. But it is better by a significant distance than any other

part of the UK. In England. ... In England the figure is just 77.6%.

More than 13 points behind Scotland. Perhaps someone should have informed

the Prime Minister of that fact before she had the brass neck to

lecture us about governance. APPLAUSE

But we have more to do. One of the challenges that our NHS faces is the

increasing number of people seeking support from mental Health Service,

actually that is is a welcome development. It show that's the

stigma that stopped people asking for help in years gone by is now

fading, but it places an obligation on us to invest more in services to

meet that need. Over the next few weeks we will publish our new ten

year mental health strategy. That strategy will know Cups not just on

traditional mental Health Service, it will look at what we immediate to

do across the NHS and in wider society too.

For example, we know that GP surgeries are and A services are

often the front line for mental health. And outside the NHS, we know

that too many who end up in our prisons, and our police cells, have

mental health issues that go untreated. We want to change that.

So let me outline today just some the action we will take. We will

increase the mental health workforce, giving access to

dedicated mental health professionals, to all of our A

departments 24 hours a day, to all of our GP practises, to every

custody suite in every police station and to our prisons. In total

we will increase the budget by ?35 million over the next five years, to

support the employment of 800 additional mental health workers in

our hospitals, GP surgeries, prisons and police stations.

APPLAUSE Providing health care to those who

need it is one of our most important responsibilities. But I have made

clear that the defining mission of our Government is education. I

believe Scotland as a country has the right to choose our own future.

But we must also make sure that the people who live here have the means

and opportunity to make choices about their own lives. That means

building a country where every child can make the most of their talents.

We are determined to close the attainment gap in our schools. But

we know that life chances are far too often determined before a child

even starts school. Doubling the provision of high quality

state-funded childcare as we intend to do in this Parliament, is

therefore a key part of our plans. Rightly...

APPLAUSE Rightly, when we talk about the

childcare revolution, we focus on the benefits for children, and

parents. But there is another benefit. Delivering our pledge will

involve the recruitment of thousands more people to work in our nursery,

we need to demonstrate how much we value this work. I am very proud of

the steps our Government has already taken, to extend payment of the

living wage. We have led by exam in the public sector, and we have

encouraged businesses to see the benefit, not just for staff but for

their bottom line. I can confirm today we intend to apply that

approach to our expansion of childcare. In public sector

nurseries, staff already receive the living wage. But there are currently

around 1,000 private nurseries, helping to deliver our free

childcare policy and currently round 80% of the childcare staff who work

in them don't earn the living wage. That is 8,000 people in total. There

are few more important jobs than caring for our youngest children. So

I can announce today that by the end of this Parliament, we will invest

?50 million to ensure that all staff, working in private nurseries,

delivering our childcare pledge, are paid the real living wage.

APPLAUSE Friends, we can do all these things

to improve the lives of the people of Scotland, because we are in

Government. And it is a privilege to serve. That privilege to serve is

something we should never take for granted. We must earn and reearn the

trust of the people each and every day. The opportunity to serve our

country in Government was something that past generations of SNP members

could only dream about. For it is down to their efforts that I stand

here before you, as First Minister. When the story of our party and of

Scotland's independence is written, it will be those who worked so hard

against seemingly impossible odds who will take centre stage.

APPLAUSE .

And there is little doubt that one person and one date will stand out.

Winning Ewing, 1967. -- Winnie.

Exactly 50 years ago, this year, Winnie won the Hamilton by-election,

and made this famous declaration. Stop the world, Scotland wants to

get on. APPLAUSE

Let those words resonate today. We are a European, international list

party, leading a European international list country. We will

make sure that our voice is heard here at home and we will stand up

for Scotland's values abroad. And one of those values is self

determination. An unshakeable... APPLAUSE

An unshakeable belief in the sovereign right of the people of

Scotland, to determine our own future. Last week, I had the very

sad honour of speaking at a memorial service for one of the greatest

advocates of that principle. The late canon Kenyon Wright. When he

chaired the convention he posed this question of the then Tory

Government's opposition to devolution. What happened, he asked,

if the other voice we know so well responds by saying we say no, and we

are the state. His answer to that question, so relevant again today

was this. Well, we say yes and we are the people.

APPLAUSE Friends, as we go forward, we must

work to win the support of the people in the communities we serve.

We must always work to build a better Scotland for everyone who

lives here. We must stand up to our country and always trust the people.

As we an poach this crossroads in our national life, let us resolve to

give Scotland a choice. Choice. Let this message ring out today.

Scotland's future will be in Scotland's hands. Thank you very

much. APPLAUSE

The SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, taking the applause

after her spring conference speech in Aberdeen, a national party with a

truly internationalist outlook, she said, appealing to those outside the

hall who might be resentful about another referendum, but she said one

would happen, and the vote in parliament next week comes the will

of the Parliament of Scotland. She focused on being pro-immigration,

saying, come to Scotland, but she recognised people would have

concerns and she said it was useful for economic reasons. She said that

Scotland's future is in Scotland's hands. John Curtice, Jerry Fisher,

one of the well-known delegates. John, your reaction. The crucial

message was Nicola Sturgeon trying again to persuade the people of

Scotland that indeed the country should have another referendum on

independence, and in particular she was trying to come up against that

charge from the Prime Minister that the SNP have tunnel vision and say,

no, we are offering choice. You heard the word choice time after

time. She is trying to say, look, we are willing to put the country's

future in your hands, unlike the Prime Minister, and hoping to win

the moral argument. At the same time, we began to see the developer

of the SNP case for independence. Strong passages about immigration,

perhaps quite bold, because the polling evidence would suggest quite

a lot of people are still concerned about immigration, but a crucial

passage in which she acknowledged that making the economic case for

independence would be important and might not be easy. I think that if

the other aspect of the SNP arguments we need to look forward

to. Thank you for that. That brings an end to live coverage of the SNP

conference, and the end of the four-week spring party conference

season. There is more on the Sunday politics tomorrow at 11am. From all

of us, goodbye for now. Scotland is coming out

of the European Union