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Nicola Sturgeon: Independence within 'touching distance' Nicola Sturgeon: Independence within 'touching distance'
(32 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon has claimed independence is "within touching distance" ahead of a speech to supporters at a major rally in Glasgow.Nicola Sturgeon has claimed independence is "within touching distance" ahead of a speech to supporters at a major rally in Glasgow.
She will ask for powers to hold another a referendum on Scotland's future in the UK shortly after next month's general election.She will ask for powers to hold another a referendum on Scotland's future in the UK shortly after next month's general election.
However Jeremy Corbyn said a new Scottish independence poll was not "desirable or necessary".However Jeremy Corbyn said a new Scottish independence poll was not "desirable or necessary".
The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats also oppose a further vote.The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats also oppose a further vote.
Ms Sturgeon is one of a number of SNP politicians and independence campaigners speaking at the #indyref2020 rally in George Square.Ms Sturgeon is one of a number of SNP politicians and independence campaigners speaking at the #indyref2020 rally in George Square.
It will be the first time she has spoken at an independence rally since 2014.It will be the first time she has spoken at an independence rally since 2014.
The event prompted a counter demonstration by dozens of unionist supporters who waved flags and blew whistles as supporters of Scottish independence gathered.The event prompted a counter demonstration by dozens of unionist supporters who waved flags and blew whistles as supporters of Scottish independence gathered.
Ministers urged to agree indyref2 question testMinisters urged to agree indyref2 question test
Speaking ahead of the event organised by The National newspaper, the SNP leader focused on the UK-wide election on 12 December.Speaking ahead of the event organised by The National newspaper, the SNP leader focused on the UK-wide election on 12 December.
"This election really is the most important one Scotland has faced in modern times," she said."This election really is the most important one Scotland has faced in modern times," she said.
"So much is on the line - people are completely fed up with the mess at Westminster."So much is on the line - people are completely fed up with the mess at Westminster.
"But George Square will be packed as people from all backgrounds join together to demand a better future for Scotland.""But George Square will be packed as people from all backgrounds join together to demand a better future for Scotland."
Ms Sturgeon added that independence "really is within touching distance".Ms Sturgeon added that independence "really is within touching distance".
She had faced criticism by some activists for not attending events such as the All Under One Banner march in Edinburgh last month.She had faced criticism by some activists for not attending events such as the All Under One Banner march in Edinburgh last month.
However, the first minister did tweet ahead of that march to say she was not able to attend, but would be there "in spirit".However, the first minister did tweet ahead of that march to say she was not able to attend, but would be there "in spirit".
On Friday the first minister confirmed that she would send a letter "before Christmas" to whoever is in 10 Downing Street, requesting the Scottish Parliament is granted powers to hold another independence referendum.On Friday the first minister confirmed that she would send a letter "before Christmas" to whoever is in 10 Downing Street, requesting the Scottish Parliament is granted powers to hold another independence referendum.
She has made clear that she wants to hold a poll on the issue next year.She has made clear that she wants to hold a poll on the issue next year.
Asked whether she believed Labour would grant the Section 30 order, Ms Sturgeon answered: "Yes".Asked whether she believed Labour would grant the Section 30 order, Ms Sturgeon answered: "Yes".
"If people in Scotland demonstrate the desire - as I believe they will in this election - for an independence referendum, then I don't believe Westminster opposition to the principle or to the timetable to that will prove sustainable," she said."If people in Scotland demonstrate the desire - as I believe they will in this election - for an independence referendum, then I don't believe Westminster opposition to the principle or to the timetable to that will prove sustainable," she said.
In response, Jeremy Corbyn said: "Labour does not support independence for Scotland and we do not think another independence referendum is either desirable or necessary." In response, Jeremy Corbyn said only a Labour government would be able to boost Scotland's economy and see "the levels of poverty in Scotland, particularly in the big cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, being reduced".
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw accused Ms Sturgeon of "not listening". He added: "Scottish independence would mean a massive gap between what Scotland raises in taxation and what the Scottish people need at the present time.
He added: "She is obsessed with independence and we must send her a message at this general election. People have had enough of the division and we just want to move on." "I think the much better option is a Labour government for the whole of the UK."
Liberal Democrat general election campaign chairman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "We are clear on Brexit and clear against the division of independence." The Tories criticised Nicola Sturgeon for prioritising indyref2 "above all else".
Others to address the Glasgow rally include Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie. Scottish Conservative MSP for Glasgow, Annie Wells, said: "While Nicola Sturgeon is banging on about indyref2, I'm out talking to people about the state of their local schools, the drug deaths crisis and violent crime taking over our streets, and the problems at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
"The cause of Scottish independence must be broad and inclusive. Our diversity is our strength," he said. "Instead of tackling the day-to-day things that Glaswegians care about, Nicola Sturgeon is headlining a nationalist rally.
"Those people who are still to decide need to be offered a positive, hopeful vision about how we can live in a fair, equal, sustainable country, and why independence will help." "So this election is about stopping Nicola Sturgeon from dividing our communities all over again, and only a vote for the Scottish Conservatives will do that.