SNP conference: Alex Salmond says 'home rule beats Tory rule'
SNP conference: Alex Salmond says independence is a 'natural' next step
(about 4 hours later)
SNP leader Alex Salmond will urge Scots to grasp the opportunity of independence in his speech to the party's spring conference.
By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland
He will tell delegates in Glasgow that "Home Rule with independence beats Tory rule from Westminster any day".
SNP leader Alex Salmond has urged Scots to grasp the chance of independence, describing it as "the most natural thing in this world".
The Scottish first minister will also use his speech to launch the nationalists' local government election campaign.
The first minister told his party's conference that while Scotland's devolved government could "demand", an independent one could "deliver".
Voters go to the polls to elect their councillors in Scotland on 3 May.
He also said "Home Rule with independence beats Tory rule from Westminster, any day".
The SNP has set a key target to win control of Scotland's biggest council - Glasgow City - from Labour.
The SNP wants to hold an independence referendum in autumn 2014.
The SNP government wants to see an independence referendum held in autumn 2014 and is currently gathering views through a public consultation.
Mr Salmond also delivered a sustained attack on Labour, saying the party had aligned itself with the Conservatives.
Mr Salmond wants to broaden the appeal of independence - by narrowing the focus of the potential choice facing Scots.
The SNP leader told delegates in Glasgow that, in government, his party had delivered for Scotland through policies like protecting health spending, keeping education free and encouraging companies to do business there.
He will argue that the options for Scotland are full independence or continued rule from Westminster, led by the Conservatives.
This, he said, had come against a backdrop of UK government spending cuts and almost universal opposition from Labour to the policies of his party.
His calculation is that the Tories are so unpopular in Scotland that supporters of other parties may turn to independence instead.
Mr Salmond demanded the Westminster coalition get behind the SNP's plans for economic recovery in Scotland, telling the conference: "In devolved Scotland we can demand - in an independent Scotland, we can deliver."
This partly explains why Mr Salmond wants the referendum in late 2014, close to the next UK general election.
He went on: "On international representation, why would we wish to be isolated and ignored in Europe when we could be influential and respected."
He hopes to concentrate Scottish minds upon the prospect of a continuing Conservative government.
On Trident nuclear weapons, currently based on the Clyde, Mr Salmond said: "On defence, why would this nation of five million people elect to waste billions on weapons of mass destruction, when we still have thousands waiting for a decent home and a life chance?
Mr Salmond will also announce an extra £5m funding to provide volunteering opportunities for young people.
"Independence means real security.
The SNP's landslide election win last May was a major victory for the party.
"Westminster would spend on weapons which could destroy the world - Scotland should spend on social provision which could be the envy of the world."
But now the nationalists face probably their biggest challenge yet - building enough support for a "Yes" vote in the forthcoming independence referendum.
Mr Salmond said most of the 10 countries which had joined the EU in 2004, many of them smaller than Scotland, had become independent, winning seats at Europe's top table.
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.
"A right they cherish - a right Scotland too should embrace," he said.
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.
"Because being independent is the most natural thing in this world."
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
"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.
