MINE WILL BE DONE
Sturgeon preaches to SNP’s converted
Defiant Nicola Sturgeon yesterday insisted that she will not back down over IndyRef2.
To rapturous applause, the FM told her party’s Aberdeen conference that the will of Holyrood “must and will prevail”.
Her pledge comes days after Prime Minister Theresa May rejected Sturgeon’s timetable for the crucial vote.
The Prime Minister’s refusal to budge meant I had to make a decision
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday warned Theresa May that the will of the Scottish people will prevail.
But the First Minister also attempted to strike a conciliatory note with No voters by promising clar ity on unanswered questions about how an independent Scotland would look.
The Prime Minister has rejected Sturgeon’s timetable for holding an independence vote between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, declaring that “now is not the time”.
May insists the country must focus on securing the best possible Brexit deal.
But in a passionate but far from fiery keynote speech to 2500 delegates at the SNP’s spring conference in Aberdeen, Sturgeon insisted a referendum would be held if it is approved by MSPs at Holyrood this week.
She said: “If a majority in the Scottish Parliament endorse 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 an informed choice – ceases to be just my proposal, or that of the SNP.
“It becomes the wi l l of the democratically elected Parliament of Scotland. 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.”
Sturgeon accused May of putting the interests of the right-wing of the Tories ahead of Scotland.
She said: “The Prime Minister’s refusal to budge an inch meant that I had to make a decision.
“I could take 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 people in charge.”
The Yes campaign in 2014 was criticised for failing to answer key questions from voters about issues such as currency, pensions and borders.
And polls in recent days suggest a majority of Scots would still vote to remain in the UK.
But Sturgeon told supporters that she would attempt to win over No or undecided voters.
She said: “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 citizens.
“And to do what we can to establish common ground.”
She added: “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 that I did not reach the decision lightly. Indeed, for months, I have strived to find compromise and agreement with the Prime Minister.”
The SNP leader said an independent Scotland would “unequivocal ly” guarantee the right of all EU citizens living in the country to stay.
She said: “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. Come here to live, work, invest or study.
“Come to Scotland – and be part of bui lding a modern, progressive, outward- looking, compassionate country.”
Pol icy announcements included £35million over the next five years for an extra 800 mental health workers and a £1million project to help young people who have been in care find work or training.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale last night said Sturgeon was “out of ideas and obsessed by independence”.
She said: “Her attempt at wooing the majority of Scots who oppose her bid to leave the UK will fool nobody. The SNP still stands for division and grievance.”
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw described the speech as “disappointing and negative”. He added: “Nicola Sturgeon seems to be more interested in complaining about the UK Government than talking up her own.”