SNP conference: Salmond says independence vote 'not about SNP'
SNP conference: Salmond attacks 'negative and boring' No campaign
(35 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond is addressing his party conference with a message a vote for independence is not a vote for the SNP.
Scotland's first minister has branded the campaign for the Union "the most miserable, negative, depressing and thoroughly boring" in modern times.
He told delegates that a first independent Scottish government could well be run by Labour, or a coalition.
Alex Salmond told the SNP conference Better Together was out of touch with reality, while momentum was building towards a "Yes" for independence.
But he added that a "Yes" vote meant Scotland would never be overseen by a Tory government it did not vote for.
He also used his speech to reach out to women voters, announcing an increase in female representation in his cabinet.
His comments come ahead of the 18 September vote on Scotland's future.
Mr Salmond's speech came ahead of the 18 September independence referendum.
The poll will see voters asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
The ballot will see voters asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Mr Salmond told delegates in Aberdeen that negotiations on Scotland's independence settlement would begin within days of a "Yes" vote, spearheaded by an "all party" group.
'Momentum'
Polls currently indicate support for the Union, but the Scottish government says momentum is moving towards its position.
Polls currently indicate support for the Union, but the Scottish government says momentum is moving towards its position.
Mr Salmond said: "This referendum is not about this party or this first minister or even the wider 'Yes' campaign.
Mr Salmond's speech came after recent remarks by former Nato secretary general and Scottish Labour MP Lord George Robertson, who said Scottish independence would be "cataclysmic" for the West in an era of international turmoil.
"It's about putting Scotland's future in Scotland's hands."
The SNP leader said: "The more the people of Scotland hear the case for 'No', the more likely they are to vote 'Yes'.
The SNP leader added: "Our party is hugely popular and we are currently five, 10 and 15 points ahead in polls for Westminster, Europe and Holyrood respectively.
"And no wonder - they are the most miserable, negative, depressing and thoroughly boring campaign in modern political history.
"But a 'Yes' vote in September is not a vote for me, or for an SNP government in 2016.
"They are already out of touch with the people and now, I fear, they're losing touch with reality."
"It's a vote for a government in Scotland that the people of Scotland choose, pursuing policies the people of Scotland support."
In contrast, Mr Salmond said, the "Yes" campaign was "positive, uplifting and hopeful", adding: "That is the basis on which we shall win this referendum and shall win our independence."
Mr Salmond said an independent Scotland would have responsibility in areas currently overseen by the Westminster government, like tax, the economy, social security and North Sea oil and gas.
'Team Scotland'
In an attack on the Conservatives, he said of a future independent Scottish government: "That may be the SNP. It may be Labour. It may be a coalition.
"I tell you what it won't be - it won't be a government led by a party with just a single MP in Scotland.
"A government dismantling our welfare state. Determined to privatise public services."
Mr Salmond went on: "In an independent Scotland, we can give this guarantee: the era of unelected Tory governments handing out punishment to the poor and the disabled will be gone and gone for good."
In the event of a 'Yes' vote, the first minister told the conference, talks with Westminster on the transition to independence would begin before the end of the month.
The "team Scotland" negotiating group would include non-SNP members and expertise from across the political spectrum, from both inside and outside Scotland.
