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SNP say Conservatives are running scared of independence vote SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson says Scotland 'will have its referendum'
(about 1 hour later)
SNP Deputy Leader Angus Robertson will accuse the Conservatives of "running scared" of Scottish opinion. A second Scottish independence vote "will take place" despite Theresa May's view that "now is not the time", the SNP conference has been told.
Speaking at the SNP spring conference in Aberdeen later, Mr Robertson is to claim Prime Minister Theresa May "panicked" in turning down calls for a referendum on independence. The party's deputy leader Angus Robertson said it would be "totally unacceptable" for Westminster to deny a referendum before Brexit is finalised.
But Mrs May, who is to speak to the Conservative spring forum in Cardiff later, will say she is working for "the whole country". Mrs May will use a speech in Cardiff later to defend the United Kingdom.
She is launching a "Plan for Britain". The PM has indicated her government will not approve the SNP's preferred timetable for a second referendum.
Mrs May is expected to describe it as "a plan for a brighter future". First Minister Nicola Sturgeon believed it was imperative for a vote on Scotland's constitutional future to take place ahead of a deal being done on the UK exiting the European Union.
Mr Robertson will say the SNP's approach is to trust the people of Scotland. At the earliest, that is expected in March 2019.
He is expected to add: "It is clear from the PM's panicked response to the Scottish government's decision to rightly give people in Scotland a choice over Scotland's future, that the Tories are simply scared of the people's choice. Ms Sturgeon has pinpointed the best time for a referendum would be between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.
"The Tories' argument is not about process, it is about their desperate desire to prevent anyone having the chance to reject the hard right Brexit that they are so wedded to. In his speech to the conference in Aberdeen, Mr Robertson said: "Let there be no doubt - Scotland will have its referendum and the people of this country will have their choice. They will not be denied their say."
"The truth is it should not be for either Theresa May or the Scottish government to decide Scotland's future. That choice belongs to the parliament and the people of Scotland and it is one this party will never shy away from." He added: "Scotland's referendum is going to happen and no UK prime inister should dare to stand in the way of Scotland's democracy."
SNP delegates have gathered in Aberdeen just 24 hours after the Scottish and UK governments clashed over a second independence referendum. However, Mrs May, who is to speak to the Welsh Conservative spring forum, will say she is working for "the whole country".
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has insisted that a referendum should go ahead on her timescale. She is launching her "plan for a brighter future".
It followed Prime Minister Theresa May rejecting calls for a second independence vote before Brexit. The SNP conference got under way just 24 hours after the Scottish and UK governments clashed over a second independence referendum.
Ms Sturgeon insisted that a referendum should go ahead on her timescale.
It followed Mrs May rejecting calls for a second independence vote before Brexit.
A key theme of the prime minister's Cardiff speech is expected to be the creation of a more united Britain.A key theme of the prime minister's Cardiff speech is expected to be the creation of a more united Britain.
She will say: "That union is more than just a constitutional artefact. It is a union between all of our citizens, whoever we are and wherever we're from.She will say: "That union is more than just a constitutional artefact. It is a union between all of our citizens, whoever we are and wherever we're from.
"So our plan for Britain will put strengthening and sustaining that Union at its heart."So our plan for Britain will put strengthening and sustaining that Union at its heart.
"It means taking the big decisions when they're the right ones for Britain in the long-term. Putting the national interest above any other consideration."It means taking the big decisions when they're the right ones for Britain in the long-term. Putting the national interest above any other consideration.
"And it means ensuring that we act in the interests of the whole country - creating jobs and supporting cities, towns and communities right across our United Kingdom.""And it means ensuring that we act in the interests of the whole country - creating jobs and supporting cities, towns and communities right across our United Kingdom."
Mrs May has accused the SNP of forcing a "fundamentally unfair" independence referendum that would damage Brexit negotiations.Mrs May has accused the SNP of forcing a "fundamentally unfair" independence referendum that would damage Brexit negotiations.
Writing in the Times, she said: "The SNP is trying to force the UK government to agree to something that is fundamentally unfair to the Scottish people.Writing in the Times, she said: "The SNP is trying to force the UK government to agree to something that is fundamentally unfair to the Scottish people.
"It wants to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information."It wants to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information.
"They would not know what the new partnership with the EU would look like, or what the alternative of an independent Scotland would be. It would simply not be fair.""They would not know what the new partnership with the EU would look like, or what the alternative of an independent Scotland would be. It would simply not be fair."
The article follows a television interview on Thursday, in which she said "all our energies" should be focused on negotiations with the European Union.The article follows a television interview on Thursday, in which she said "all our energies" should be focused on negotiations with the European Union.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney will address domestic Scottish matters as the parties in Scotland prepare for May's local government elections. At the SNP conference later, Deputy First Minister John Swinney will address domestic Scottish matters as the parties in Scotland prepare for May's local government elections.
Mr Swinney said the spring conference, which will be attended by 2,500 delegates, would "underline our party's top priorities of education, the economy and our public services".Mr Swinney said the spring conference, which will be attended by 2,500 delegates, would "underline our party's top priorities of education, the economy and our public services".
Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, he said the Scottish Parliament would discuss the request to hold another Scottish independence referendum next week and he was confident a vote to ask for one would be passed.Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, he said the Scottish Parliament would discuss the request to hold another Scottish independence referendum next week and he was confident a vote to ask for one would be passed.
Mr Swinney said it would then be up to Mrs May to "recognise the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland".Mr Swinney said it would then be up to Mrs May to "recognise the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland".
He told presenter John Humphrys: "The PM has the capacity to change her mind. Theresa May has demonstrated big style this week that she has to change her mind in the face of political reality. Theresa May would be ill-advised to stand in the way."He told presenter John Humphrys: "The PM has the capacity to change her mind. Theresa May has demonstrated big style this week that she has to change her mind in the face of political reality. Theresa May would be ill-advised to stand in the way."