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Alex Salmond tells conference 'the nonsense ends' in 2014 | |
(35 minutes later) | |
SNP leader Alex Salmond has opened his party's conference with the declaration that in "2014 the nonsense ends". | |
The first minister's comments came days after Scottish ministers struck a deal with the UK government to hold an independence referendum. | |
Mr Salmond also said he trusted the conference to discuss issues in a "comradely manner". | |
The conference is due to debate a contentious plan to reverse its decades-long opposition to Nato. | |
Speaking in Perth, Mr Salmond said only independence could protect the social fabric of Scotland, which he said he believed was under attack from Westminster parties. | |
On Friday, conference delegates are to be asked to overturn the SNP's traditional anti-Nato stance, with the party's Westminster leader Angus Robertson arguing the organisation plays a key role in defence and security. | |
If successful, the move would still see the SNP maintain its opposition to hosting nuclear weapons. | |
The change is being opposed by a number of SNP MSPs, councillors and rank and file members, who say an independent Scotland should not be a member of the international defence organisation because of its status as a "nuclear weapons-based alliance". | |
Mr Salmond told the conference: "I trust this conference to operate in the best interests of achieving independence for Scotland. | |
"I trust this conference to debate the big issues in a comradely manner. I think it is fantastic, I think it is great that we are the only political party in these islands with the confidence to take substantive issues to our annual conference." | |
Mr Salmond also read from a poem by George Robertson, brother of Hearts legend John Robertson, which was recited at a recent SNP dinner event. | |
The final line of the poem reads: "Eat well my trusty, honest friends, in 2014, the nonsense ends." | |
Mr Salmond told the conference: "Delegates, conference, in 2014, the nonsense ends." | |
Speaking to the BBC earlier, Mr Salmond said the SNP was the closest it had ever been to achieving its objective of an independent Scotland. | |
Mr Salmond told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The Edinburgh Agreement makes it clear that both governments have decided to agree a process - and that means to respect the result. | Mr Salmond told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The Edinburgh Agreement makes it clear that both governments have decided to agree a process - and that means to respect the result. |
"That is a huge gain for the independence cause. It means we are closer to our objective then we have ever been before and, of course, I believe that we will win the vote on independence in two years' time. | "That is a huge gain for the independence cause. It means we are closer to our objective then we have ever been before and, of course, I believe that we will win the vote on independence in two years' time. |
"But the results and the verdict is a matter, of course, for the Scottish people." | "But the results and the verdict is a matter, of course, for the Scottish people." |
He added that he had not changed his mind that the vote was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. | He added that he had not changed his mind that the vote was a once-in-a-generation opportunity. |
Ballot box | |
On Monday, Mr Salmond and Mr Cameron signed a deal to deliver an independence referendum in 2014. | On Monday, Mr Salmond and Mr Cameron signed a deal to deliver an independence referendum in 2014. |
It consists of a single Yes/No question on Scotland leaving the UK and will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to take part in the ballot. | It consists of a single Yes/No question on Scotland leaving the UK and will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to take part in the ballot. |
The SNP secured a mandate to hold the referendum after its landslide Scottish election win last year. | The SNP secured a mandate to hold the referendum after its landslide Scottish election win last year. |
Speaking ahead of the four-day gathering, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said independence was "there to be won". | Speaking ahead of the four-day gathering, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said independence was "there to be won". |
After signing the referendum agreement on Monday, Mr Cameron said he hoped Scotland would vote to "keep this United Kingdom together". | After signing the referendum agreement on Monday, Mr Cameron said he hoped Scotland would vote to "keep this United Kingdom together". |
But Ms Sturgeon said she believed Scots would opt instead for independence when given the opportunity at the ballot box. | But Ms Sturgeon said she believed Scots would opt instead for independence when given the opportunity at the ballot box. |
She said: "This week's agreement between the Scottish and UK governments ensures that we will have a referendum made in Scotland, with the outcome respected by all sides - the task now is to go out and win the argument among the people. | She said: "This week's agreement between the Scottish and UK governments ensures that we will have a referendum made in Scotland, with the outcome respected by all sides - the task now is to go out and win the argument among the people. |
"And if we win the argument, we will win the referendum." | "And if we win the argument, we will win the referendum." |