ANALYSIS

Independence is in “clear sight”, Nicola Sturgeon told cheering SNP supporters. It was a clever turn of phrase. Telescopes allow you to observe other planets in clear sight but, much like an independence referendum, they are far away.

That was the message laid before party members in Glasgow as the First Minister tried to snuff out expectations of an early referendum, while at the same time winning their applause with triumphant declarations that independence is inevitable.

For every sentence in which she delivered a dose of reality on Indyref2 timing, one soon followed that gave her restless supporters an injection of hope that the breakaway is coming.

Any tension in the room from being told to hang back was soon overridden by an outburst of impending joy at being free from the shackles of Westminster.

Clearly, this SNP conference came too soon after the last one and too far from whatever Brexit clarity the SNP leader is waiting for.

There was not much new for the party to say on independence or even on dayto-day policy.

In their last conference in June, the plea to the Yes movement was for patience.

Just a few months later the message has not changed.

The next conference, which normally happens in the spring, comes just before the Brexit departure date.

Ms Sturgeon really will be testing the patience of her rank-and-file if they are made to sit tight again.