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Sturgeon says Scotland is 'open for business' in post Brexit-vote era | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nicola Sturgeon has addressed her party's conference saying that Scotland is "open for business" in the post-Brexit vote era. | |
The SNP leader has brought down the curtain on the SNP's Glasgow gathering with a speech proclaiming a "new political era" in the UK. | |
She plans to set up a trade hub in Berlin, along with new trade staff in a bid to boost exports across Europe. | She plans to set up a trade hub in Berlin, along with new trade staff in a bid to boost exports across Europe. |
The first minister also spoke about her domestic policy priorities. | |
Many delegates at the SNP conference at the SECC in Glasgow have sought to illustrate policy differences between the Scottish and UK governments. | Many delegates at the SNP conference at the SECC in Glasgow have sought to illustrate policy differences between the Scottish and UK governments. |
Ms Sturgeon is to underline this with her keynote speech, while criticising "utterly shameful" rhetoric from the Conservatives on immigration. | Ms Sturgeon is to underline this with her keynote speech, while criticising "utterly shameful" rhetoric from the Conservatives on immigration. |
'Deeply damaging' | 'Deeply damaging' |
She said: "Make no mistake, the growth of our economy right now is threatened not just by the prospect of losing our place in the single market - disastrous though that would be. | |
"It is also the deeply damaging - and utterly shameful - message that the Tories' rhetoric about foreign workers is sending. | "It is also the deeply damaging - and utterly shameful - message that the Tories' rhetoric about foreign workers is sending. |
"And the uncertainty that message brings to our public services and Scottish employers. More than ever, we need to tell our European friends that Scotland is open for business." | "And the uncertainty that message brings to our public services and Scottish employers. More than ever, we need to tell our European friends that Scotland is open for business." |
Ahead of the leader's speech, a demonstration in favour of a second Scottish independence referendum took place outside the conference venue. | Ahead of the leader's speech, a demonstration in favour of a second Scottish independence referendum took place outside the conference venue. |
During Ms Sturgeon's address to the 3,000 delegates, she set out a four-point plan to boost trade and exports. This will include: | |
The first minister told members: "Let me be crystal clear about this - Scotland cannot trust the likes of Boris Johnson and Liam Fox to represent us. | |
"They are retreating to the fringes of Europe, we intend to stay at its very heart where Scotland belongs. | "They are retreating to the fringes of Europe, we intend to stay at its very heart where Scotland belongs. |
"We are in a completely new era. A new political era and a new battle of ideas. | "We are in a completely new era. A new political era and a new battle of ideas. |
"A new era for our parliament, with new powers and responsibilities, and a new era for our relationship with Europe and the wider world." | "A new era for our parliament, with new powers and responsibilities, and a new era for our relationship with Europe and the wider world." |
Earlier in the conference, Ms Sturgeon issued a direct warning to Prime Minister Theresa May that she would not hesitate to call a second Scottish independence referendum to protect Scotland's ties with Europe. | Earlier in the conference, Ms Sturgeon issued a direct warning to Prime Minister Theresa May that she would not hesitate to call a second Scottish independence referendum to protect Scotland's ties with Europe. |
However, she has insisted she is not "rushing towards" a second vote, despite a forthcoming consultation on a draft referendum bill. | However, she has insisted she is not "rushing towards" a second vote, despite a forthcoming consultation on a draft referendum bill. |