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SNP conference: Sturgeon attacks 'shambolic' UK government SNP conference: Sturgeon attacks 'shambolic' UK government
(35 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon will contrast the "shambolic" UK government with her party's achievements at Holyrood when she addresses the SNP conference. Nicola Sturgeon is contrasting the "shambolic" UK government with her party's achievements at Holyrood as she addresses the SNP conference.
She will also repeat her call for immigration policy to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.She will also repeat her call for immigration policy to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
But she is not likely to address the potential timing of any second independence referendum.But she is not likely to address the potential timing of any second independence referendum.
Ms Sturgeon has previously said she will do so in the autumn, when the implications of Brexit become clearer.Ms Sturgeon has previously said she will do so in the autumn, when the implications of Brexit become clearer.
The first minister's speech, which is scheduled to start at about 15:45, will bring the two-day conference in Aberdeen to a close. The first minister's speech will bring the two-day conference in Aberdeen to a close.
There will be live coverage of the speech on the BBC news website, and on BBC2 Scotland. There is live coverage of the speech on the BBC news website, and on BBC2 Scotland.
In her speech, the first minister will claim that the "shambolic Westminster Tory government is holding Scotland back, while the Scottish government is moving Scotland forwards".In her speech, the first minister will claim that the "shambolic Westminster Tory government is holding Scotland back, while the Scottish government is moving Scotland forwards".
She will highlight the "disastrous" impact she believes the UK government's "hostile migration policy" is having on Scotland's public services and economy.She will highlight the "disastrous" impact she believes the UK government's "hostile migration policy" is having on Scotland's public services and economy.
Ms Sturgeon will add: "Scotland is a welcoming country - our prosperity and our public services depend on it.Ms Sturgeon will add: "Scotland is a welcoming country - our prosperity and our public services depend on it.
"If Westminster cannot or will not act in our best interests, it is time that our own parliament was able to do so. It's time for powers over migration to come to Scotland.""If Westminster cannot or will not act in our best interests, it is time that our own parliament was able to do so. It's time for powers over migration to come to Scotland."
Attracting more people to Scotland was a key part of the SNP's Growth Commission report, which was met with a mixed response from independence supporters when it was published a fortnight ago.Attracting more people to Scotland was a key part of the SNP's Growth Commission report, which was met with a mixed response from independence supporters when it was published a fortnight ago.
The report examines the economic options for an independent Scotland, and proposes keeping the pound and embarking on a major deficit reduction programme in the first years after leaving the UK.The report examines the economic options for an independent Scotland, and proposes keeping the pound and embarking on a major deficit reduction programme in the first years after leaving the UK.
Ms Sturgeon will also announce that the flagship £150m Building Scotland fund - the precursor to the Scottish National Investment Bank which was unveiled as part of this year's budget - is "open for business".Ms Sturgeon will also announce that the flagship £150m Building Scotland fund - the precursor to the Scottish National Investment Bank which was unveiled as part of this year's budget - is "open for business".
She will say that £70m will be invested in the coming year, including £25m to support at least 3,000 new homes.She will say that £70m will be invested in the coming year, including £25m to support at least 3,000 new homes.
Pro-independence Catalan politician Clara Ponsati, who is fighting a legal battle against being extradited from Scotland to Spain, will speak directly before Ms Sturgeon. Pro-independence Catalan politician Clara Ponsati, who is fighting a legal battle against being extradited from Scotland to Spain, spoke directly before Ms Sturgeon.
Prof Ponsati thanked her Scottish supporters Scots for their "overwhelming" backing in her fight, and told the conference: "I am really overwhelmed by the affection and the support I have received since I put my feet back in Scottish territory.
"What you are doing is showing your belief in democracy and human rights. Catalans are deeply grateful to you for that."
Prof Ponsati had been working as the director of the School of Economics and Finance at the University of St Andrews since January 2016, before being appointed as the Catalan government's education minister last year.Prof Ponsati had been working as the director of the School of Economics and Finance at the University of St Andrews since January 2016, before being appointed as the Catalan government's education minister last year.
She returned to work at St Andrews earlier this year, having been in Belgium since fleeing Spain with Catalonia's ex-leader Carles Puigdemont and three other former cabinet members following an unsuccessful bid to declare independence from Spain in October.She returned to work at St Andrews earlier this year, having been in Belgium since fleeing Spain with Catalonia's ex-leader Carles Puigdemont and three other former cabinet members following an unsuccessful bid to declare independence from Spain in October.
Prof Ponsati has been accused by the Spanish authorities of rebellion - defined under Spanish law as being involved in a violent uprising - and misappropriation of public funds for her role in the Catalan referendumProf Ponsati has been accused by the Spanish authorities of rebellion - defined under Spanish law as being involved in a violent uprising - and misappropriation of public funds for her role in the Catalan referendum
What's happened at the conference so far?What's happened at the conference so far?
The conference opened on Friday morning with Keith Brown being confirmed as the SNP's new deputy leader following a vote by party members.The conference opened on Friday morning with Keith Brown being confirmed as the SNP's new deputy leader following a vote by party members.
Mr Brown, who is also Scotland's economy secretary, succeeds former MP Angus Robertson in role after finishing ahead of activist Julie Hepburn and Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny in the contest.Mr Brown, who is also Scotland's economy secretary, succeeds former MP Angus Robertson in role after finishing ahead of activist Julie Hepburn and Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny in the contest.
After being announced as the winner, Mr Brown urged activists to "get ready" for a second independence referendum.After being announced as the winner, Mr Brown urged activists to "get ready" for a second independence referendum.
However, he backs Ms Sturgeon's stance of waiting for greater clarity over Brexit before making any decision on the potential timing of another vote on whether to leave the UK.However, he backs Ms Sturgeon's stance of waiting for greater clarity over Brexit before making any decision on the potential timing of another vote on whether to leave the UK.
Willing to compromiseWilling to compromise
On Saturday morning, Scotland's Brexit secretary, Michael Russell, told delegates that the idea of a "good Brexit" was a fantasy.On Saturday morning, Scotland's Brexit secretary, Michael Russell, told delegates that the idea of a "good Brexit" was a fantasy.
He said he would continue to argue for Scotland to remain in the European single market and the customs union.He said he would continue to argue for Scotland to remain in the European single market and the customs union.
And he told the conference that Scottish government was willing to compromise with the UK government over the EU Withdrawal Bill - but not at any price.And he told the conference that Scottish government was willing to compromise with the UK government over the EU Withdrawal Bill - but not at any price.
It came after Ms Sturgeon warned the UK government on Friday against pushing through its Brexit bill next week without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.It came after Ms Sturgeon warned the UK government on Friday against pushing through its Brexit bill next week without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.
She told BBC Scotland the move would be "unprecedented" and would put the country into "uncharted" constitutional territory.She told BBC Scotland the move would be "unprecedented" and would put the country into "uncharted" constitutional territory.
Brexit also featured heavily in a speech by the party's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, who challenged Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to drop his opposition to the UK remaining in the single market.Brexit also featured heavily in a speech by the party's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, who challenged Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to drop his opposition to the UK remaining in the single market.