Nicola Sturgeon SNP Conference RECAP: Sturgeon's closing speech | First Minister says “democracy must – and will – prevail” | Final day of party conference
Follow how the final day of the SNP Party Conference unfolded with our live updates from the First Minister’s closing speech.
Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP Conference speech LIVE: Monday, September 13, 2021
Key Events
- Final day of SNP conference
- Sturgeon finishes speech with independence call
- FM hopes the No.10 will co-operate for another referendum
- Future of Scottish Valneva plant in Livingston uncertain
Sturgeon pays tribute to late Calum Cashley
The FM told the SNP conference: “Most recently the SNP family bid farewell to our dear friend, and sheer force of nature, Calum Cashley - taken from us far too soon.
“Calum wasn’t a household name. He wasn’t an MSP or MP or councillor. But his tireless, energetic contribution to the cause of independence was immense.
“His brother said of him: ‘My brother was a man driven to see Scotland become all it could be. It wasn’t just an independent Scotland he longed for, it was a better Scotland.’
“Calum, like all of you, worked day in, day out to bring about that better country. Let us take inspiration from his life and resolve that everything we do will be dedicated to making Scotland all it can be,” Ms Sturgeon added.
FM speech begins
Ms Sturgeon thanked the Scottish people for placing their trust in her.
She said: “As I say often, we don’t - and won’t - get everything right.
“But I give this guarantee: we will work as hard as we can to make your lives better and retain your trust.
“And thank you to SNP members across the country. You did so much to secure victory in what was an election like no other.
“You are the heartbeat of our party. You know, in recent months, I’ve attended far too many funerals of much loved party stalwarts. We miss them all.”
Future of Scottish Valneva plant in Livingston uncertain
The future of a vaccine manufacturing plant in Scotland has been thrown into doubt after the UK Government pulled the plug on an agreement with French pharmaceutical company Valneva.
Some 100 million doses of the company’s vaccine were put on order after the UK increased its request by 40 million in February.
The Government served notice over allegations of a breach of the agreement, but the firm, which is manufacturing the jab at its site in Livingston, West Lothian, said it “strenuously” denies the allegations.
On Monday morning, Valneva refused to comment on the future of its Livingston plant, which was expanded as part of its deal with Downing Street.
Last month, the pharmaceutical giant advertised 200 new jobs at the facility, which is still under construction. The status of those jobs is now unclear.
Read the full story:
Covid Scotland: Future of Scottish Valneva plant in Livingston uncertain as UK Government pulls agreement over Covid-19 vaccine
The future of a vaccine manufacturing plant in Scotland has been thrown into doubt after the UK Government pulled the plug on an agreement with French pharmaceutical company Valneva.
Salmond hits out at SNP in speech, but asks Alba not to attack former party
Former FM Alex Salmond has asked Alba Party members not to attack the SNP, in the same speech where he hit out at his former party.
The leader, who was confirmed in the post on the first day of the conference, closed the event by pitching his party as an alternative to the SNP and the Scottish Greens.
The former first minister said no political force in the Celtic nations of Ireland, Wales and Scotland have ever had as much sway at a UK level, adding: “And what exactly have they done with all that trust, all that political influence? Nothing.
“They have settled down at Westminster instead of settling up for Scotland.
“The world of 2021 is not the world of 2001 or even 2014. Much has happened – Brext, Covid.
“Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday that Covid had made the financial case for independence more challenging.
“She is wrong – these great events, these world events, make the economic and social necessity of Scottish independence overwhelming.”
But in the same speech, Mr Salmond urged his supporters not to attack the SNP, claiming it would be “the most important thing I have to say to you today”.
“I want us to make that case, particularly online, by talking up ALBA not running down the SNP.”
Swinney: Scotland could wait years for own currency after independence
The Deputy First Minister appeared on BBC Radio Four on Monday morning to discuss the SNP’s plans for an independence referendum.
Mr Swinney was asked about the future possibilities regarding currency in Scotland, and he responded that it would take a few years, but the country would eventually move towards a “distinctive currency.”
He explained: “What we received our substantive report on many of these questions from the growth commission that the Scottish National Party established, and that essentially indicated that at the moment of which Scotland became independent, we would continue to use the pound sterling but once our range of particular tests had been passed, and we would move towards having a distinctive Scottish currency.
“But that would be that would be a matter of several years, and because it recognises the fact that there will be a period of adjustment required.”
Read the full story:
John Swinney says it could be years before Scotland gets its own currency after independence
The Deputy First Minister appeared on BBC Radio Four on Monday morning to discuss the SNP’s plans for an independence referendum.
Sturgeon to warn Westminster democracy 'must prevail' over indyref2
Nicola Sturgeon is set to warn Westminster that democracy “must prevail” over a second independence referendum.
The First Minister is expected to say: “My approach to government and to politics will be, as far as possible, co-operation not confrontation.
“The experience of the pandemic and the challenges we face as a result reinforces my view that this is the right approach.
“So it is in that spirit of co-operation that I hope the Scottish and UK governments can reach agreement - as we did in 2014 - to allow the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland to be heard and respected.
“But, this much is clear. Democracy must - and will - prevail.”
Sturgeon to warn Westminster democracy 'must prevail' over indyref2
Nicola Sturgeon is set to warn Westminster that democracy “must prevail” over a second independence referendum.
The First Minister is expected to say: “My approach to government and to politics will be, as far as possible, co-operation not confrontation.
“The experience of the pandemic and the challenges we face as a result reinforces my view that this is the right approach.
“So it is in that spirit of co-operation that I hope the Scottish and UK governments can reach agreement - as we did in 2014 - to allow the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland to be heard and respected.
“But, this much is clear. Democracy must - and will - prevail.”
FM’s conference speech explained
Nicola Sturgeon: What time is First Minister's speech at SNP Conference, what will she say on independence?
The First Minister will be giving a speech at her party conference on Monday – here is what she is expected to say.
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