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| SNP conference: Alex Salmond says 'home rule beats Tory rule' | SNP conference: Alex Salmond says 'home rule beats Tory rule' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| SNP leader Alex Salmond will urge Scots to grasp the opportunity of independence in his speech to the party's spring conference. | SNP leader Alex Salmond will urge Scots to grasp the opportunity of independence in his speech to the party's spring conference. |
| He will tell delegates in Glasgow that "Home Rule with independence beats Tory rule from Westminster any day". | He will tell delegates in Glasgow that "Home Rule with independence beats Tory rule from Westminster any day". |
| The Scottish first minister will also use his speech to launch the nationalists' local government election campaign. | The Scottish first minister will also use his speech to launch the nationalists' local government election campaign. |
| Voters go to the polls to elect their councillors in Scotland on 3 May. | Voters go to the polls to elect their councillors in Scotland on 3 May. |
| The SNP has set a key target to win control of Scotland's biggest council - Glasgow City - from Labour. | The SNP has set a key target to win control of Scotland's biggest council - Glasgow City - from Labour. |
| The SNP government wants to see an independence referendum held in autumn 2014 and is currently gathering views through a public consultation. | The SNP government wants to see an independence referendum held in autumn 2014 and is currently gathering views through a public consultation. |
| Mr Salmond wants to broaden the appeal of independence - by narrowing the focus of the potential choice facing Scots. | Mr Salmond wants to broaden the appeal of independence - by narrowing the focus of the potential choice facing Scots. |
| He will argue that the options for Scotland are full independence or continued rule from Westminster, led by the Conservatives. | He will argue that the options for Scotland are full independence or continued rule from Westminster, led by the Conservatives. |
| His calculation is that the Tories are so unpopular in Scotland that supporters of other parties may turn to independence instead. | His calculation is that the Tories are so unpopular in Scotland that supporters of other parties may turn to independence instead. |
| This partly explains why Mr Salmond wants the referendum in late 2014, close to the next UK general election. | This partly explains why Mr Salmond wants the referendum in late 2014, close to the next UK general election. |
| He hopes to concentrate Scottish minds upon the prospect of a continuing Conservative government. | He hopes to concentrate Scottish minds upon the prospect of a continuing Conservative government. |
| Mr Salmond will also announce an extra £5m funding to provide volunteering opportunities for young people. | Mr Salmond will also announce an extra £5m funding to provide volunteering opportunities for young people. |
| The SNP's landslide election win last May was a major victory for the party. | The SNP's landslide election win last May was a major victory for the party. |
| But now the nationalists face probably their biggest challenge yet - building enough support for a "Yes" vote in the forthcoming independence referendum. | But now the nationalists face probably their biggest challenge yet - building enough support for a "Yes" vote in the forthcoming independence referendum. |
| With polls indicating support for Scotland going it alone at something like a third, the SNP will be making the case right up until its preferred referendum date, in the autumn of 2014. | With polls indicating support for Scotland going it alone at something like a third, the SNP will be making the case right up until its preferred referendum date, in the autumn of 2014. |
| At the same time, its opponents - including the UK government - say the vote must be held sooner, so as to end the "economic uncertainty" being created by the delay. | At the same time, its opponents - including the UK government - say the vote must be held sooner, so as to end the "economic uncertainty" being created by the delay. |
| Before that though, the SNP - and all the other parties for that matter - have got May's council elections to get through. | Before that though, the SNP - and all the other parties for that matter - have got May's council elections to get through. |
| Scotland's biggest local authority - Glasgow City Council, controlled by Labour for a generation, is the Holy Grail for the SNP. | Scotland's biggest local authority - Glasgow City Council, controlled by Labour for a generation, is the Holy Grail for the SNP. |
| The Nationalists are hoping to capitalise on recent dissent in the Labour ranks there, and long-running accusations of improper conduct, to take control in the city. | The Nationalists are hoping to capitalise on recent dissent in the Labour ranks there, and long-running accusations of improper conduct, to take control in the city. |
| As soon as that's over, battle will commence on the other front, when the SNP government launches its independence "Yes" campaign in earnest. | As soon as that's over, battle will commence on the other front, when the SNP government launches its independence "Yes" campaign in earnest. |
| At the conference, at the SECC, the party will also use its record as Scotland's first majority government to make the case for support at the ballot boxes in May - saying it has worked within the "limits" of Holyrood's powers to deliver a good deal for Scotland, in the face of Westminster cuts. | At the conference, at the SECC, the party will also use its record as Scotland's first majority government to make the case for support at the ballot boxes in May - saying it has worked within the "limits" of Holyrood's powers to deliver a good deal for Scotland, in the face of Westminster cuts. |
| Speaking as delegates gathered in Glasgow, SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC: "This will be a launch pad for our local government election campaign. | Speaking as delegates gathered in Glasgow, SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC: "This will be a launch pad for our local government election campaign. |
| "We are optimistic about further gains in the local government elections, making sure we have councils across Scotland that can work hand-in-hand with the Scottish government to create jobs and get our economy growing again." | "We are optimistic about further gains in the local government elections, making sure we have councils across Scotland that can work hand-in-hand with the Scottish government to create jobs and get our economy growing again." |
| Scottish and UK ministers are currently in talks over what form the referendum will take - with the SNP saying it is "open-minded" on including a second question on the ballot paper, asking voters their views on more powers for Holyrood, short of independence. | Scottish and UK ministers are currently in talks over what form the referendum will take - with the SNP saying it is "open-minded" on including a second question on the ballot paper, asking voters their views on more powers for Holyrood, short of independence. |
| Ms Sturgeon, also Scotland's deputy first minister, said: "I think we'll win the case for independence on a straight yes or no basis, or on a multi-option referendum - I'm confident of that. | Ms Sturgeon, also Scotland's deputy first minister, said: "I think we'll win the case for independence on a straight yes or no basis, or on a multi-option referendum - I'm confident of that. |
| "We will be working hard to persuade people why Scotland should be independent. | "We will be working hard to persuade people why Scotland should be independent. |
| "The people who live and work here are the best people to take the big decisions about Scotland's future." | "The people who live and work here are the best people to take the big decisions about Scotland's future." |
| It is expected the SNP will launch its independence "Yes" campaign shortly after the local government elections. | It is expected the SNP will launch its independence "Yes" campaign shortly after the local government elections. |