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SNP conference: Alex Salmond says independence 'an act of self-belief' SNP conference: Alex Salmond says independence 'an act of self-belief'
(about 2 hours later)
A vote for Scottish independence would be an "act of national self-belief", Alex Salmond will tell his party later. A vote for Scottish independence would be an "act of national self-belief", Alex Salmond has told his party.
The first minister will tell the SNP conference devolution has made Scotland better, but the country now needs powers to make all its own decisions. The first minister told the SNP conference devolution had made Scotland better, but the country now needed powers to make all its own decisions.
His speech in Perth comes ahead of the independence referendum, on 18 September next year.His speech in Perth comes ahead of the independence referendum, on 18 September next year.
A "yes" vote is not about victory for the SNP, but for the whole of Scotland, Mr Salmond will say.A "yes" vote is not about victory for the SNP, but for the whole of Scotland, Mr Salmond will say.
On Thursday, 18 September, 2014, voters in the referendum will be asked the straight yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"On Thursday, 18 September, 2014, voters in the referendum will be asked the straight yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
The BBC's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said it was understood Mr Salmond would use his address to reveal the date of the Scottish government's White Paper on independence. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in her conference speech on Friday that the document would "answer all your questions". Mr Salmond used his address to reveal the date of the Scottish government's White Paper on independence as 26 November.
Mr Salmond is expected to tell delegates that the devolved Scottish Parliament has provided "a taste of independence", in areas like health and social care, but he will argue it is now time to extend its powers to areas like welfare and defence. The party leader told delegates that the devolved Scottish Parliament had provided "a taste of independence", in areas like health and social care, but he argued it was now time to extend its powers to areas like welfare and defence.
He will say: "A 'yes' vote is not a victory for the SNP or even a victory for the Yes campaign - or even the huge coalition of interests and enthusiasm that supports a "yes" vote. He said: "A 'yes' vote is not a victory for the SNP or even a victory for the Yes campaign - or even the huge coalition of interests and enthusiasm that supports a "yes" vote.
"It will be, above all, an act of national self-confidence and self-belief.""It will be, above all, an act of national self-confidence and self-belief."
'Common sense''Common sense'
The first minister will say: "The case for independence is about what is best for the people of Scotland, wherever they come from. The first minister said: "The case for independence is about what is best for the people of Scotland, wherever they come from.
"It is about who should be taking decisions about Scotland - those who live here or politicians at Westminster."It is about who should be taking decisions about Scotland - those who live here or politicians at Westminster.
"This central question of who should be taking decisions is not an academic argument."This central question of who should be taking decisions is not an academic argument.
"It is a common sense argument based on our experience.""It is a common sense argument based on our experience."
Mr Salmond will say of Scottish devolution: "Conference, with even just a taste of independence we have been able to deliver fairer policies than elsewhere on these islands. Mr Salmond said of Scottish devolution: "Conference, with even just a taste of independence we have been able to deliver fairer policies than elsewhere on these islands.
"With a measure of independence on health, on education and on law and order we have made Scotland a better place."With a measure of independence on health, on education and on law and order we have made Scotland a better place.
"So let us consider what we can achieve by extending Scotland's powers over the things we don't currently control - over our welfare system, our economy, pensions and defence."So let us consider what we can achieve by extending Scotland's powers over the things we don't currently control - over our welfare system, our economy, pensions and defence.
"That is what a 'yes' vote means.""That is what a 'yes' vote means."
Next month the Scottish government will set out its prospectus for independence in a white paper. Next month the Scottish government will set out its prospectus for independence in the white paper.
BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor said it was possible Mr Salmond may use his speech at the conference to signal the date the white paper will be published.