Sturgeon patience plea to the faithful

Party leader sets out the case for waiting for ‘fog of Brexit’ to clear

Nicola Sturgeon has pleaded with the SNP faithful to be patient on independence while the “fog of Brexit” clears.

The First Minister used her conference speech to lay out a longer-term strategy to securing a breakaway that involves gently persuading No voters and waiting for the “disastrous” impact of the UK leaving the EU to hit home.

But critics accused her of dwelling on the constitution in yesterday’s speech and barely mentioning education, which she has stated as the defining mission of her premiership.

The SNP leader said independence is “clearly in sight”, while at the same time lowering expectations that a secession poll would happen in the short term.

“To those who say there is no demand for Scotland to have a choice over our future, I say the polls and the people are telling a different story,” she said.

“Our job is to take that passion and blend it with pragmatism, perseverance and patience to persuade those not yet persuaded.

“If we do that then, believe me, the momentum for independence will be unstoppable.”

Acknowledging rank-and-file

NICOLA STURGEON

restlessness on Indyref2, she added: “As we wait – impatiently, at times, I know – for this phase of negotiations to conclude and for the fog of Brexit to clear, be in no doubt about this: the last two years have shown why Scotland needs to be independent, and I am more confident than ever that Scotland will be independent.”

Ms Sturgeon, who earlier this week described a referendum before 2021 as “still possible”, has said she will update the country on her independence plans when the terms of Brexit are clearer, which was originally expected to be this month.

The Glasgow gathering has been marked by suggestions from senior SNP figures for the party to consider ways of achieving independence other than the 2014 Westminster-sanctioned model.

Ms Sturgeon appeared to bolster those calls by telling UK parties they cannot refuse a vote on independence, although her official spokesman played down those suggestions after her address.

The Glasgow MSP told delegates: “You can oppose independence, that is your democratic right, but you cannot – and you will not – deny Scotland’s right to choose.”

Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: “Nicola Sturgeon asked her supporters to stay patient; the truth is that most people lost patience with the SNP a long time ago.

“Astonishingly, in a speech littered with references to independence, there was just a glancing reference to education. It was a staggering omission and it tells you all you need to know.”

The last two years have shown why Scotland needs to be independent.