Rolling coverage of the final day of the SNP conference in Perth, including Nicola Sturgeons speech
4.35pm GMT
4.16pm GMT
Here is some Twitter comment on the speech from journalists.
I know as an upstanding feminist I'm not supposed to report on @NicolaSturgeon's clothes, but she sure is stealing Labour's right now....
#snp2014 Sturgeon lacks Salmond's wit and rhetorical sweep. But forceful delivery and gave conference what they wanted. We will win!
Impressive first leadership speech from @NicolaSturgeon - well crafted, bold social justice agenda, ecumenical tone & slick delivery #snp14
Incredible list of specific pledges in powerful well crafted speech by Nicola Sturgeon in first leaders speech. #snp14
Here's @NicolaSturgeon riposte to charges @theSNP aren't pro-social justice: spending £100m next year to mitigate UK gov welfare cuts #SNP14
.@NicolaSturgeon starts trumping @scottishlabour cards: more free childcare; #NHS cash increases; living wage in Scot govt contracts #SP5
But no @NicolaSturgeon mention of reversing college cuts, more generous grants, cutting student debt or increasing council cash #snpconf14
4.07pm GMT
Sturgeons speech - Snap verdict: It wasnt a speech with great rhetorical flourishes, and Nicola Sturgeon will never match Alex Salmond for jokes, but it was a solid, serious, statesmanlike (stateswomanlike?) speech that confirms (as if it needed confirmation) that the SNP leadership is safe hands. What was particularly impressive was that Sturgeon was able to pay a very generous tribute to Salmond without in any way seeming overshadowed by him. She talked about the importance of business, but this sounded a bit tokenist compared to the more leftish meat in the speech, the living wage announcement (see 3.41pm) and what was to me the most surprising passage, the one where she suggested that getting rid of Trident would be a condition for the SNP supporting a minority Labour government (see 3.32pm.) At this stage it is hard to tell whether this is just an opening bid in a possible negotiation, or a firm condition. If its the latter, then Ed Milibands prospects of becoming prime minister have probably suffered a setback, because it is very hard to imagine Labour agreeing.
Overall, though, the big message was probably more important than the policy detail, and it was this: Sturgeon is setting herself up as a national leader, above party, urging people to lend the SNP their votes in 2015 to ensure Scotland gets a good deal from Westminster.
To those who have never before voted SNP in a Westminster election, as well as to those who always do
I speak to everyone across our land who wants to see the promise of a powerhouse Scottish Parliament delivered.
3.52pm GMT
Scotland is better because of the referendum campaign, she says.
We are better too because of the referendum campaign.
Our country is alive, engaged, restless for the next stage of our journey.
3.50pm GMT
But it will be up to the SNP to persuade Scots to vote for independence, she says.
Whatever our opponents do, it will always be down to us to persuade our fellow citizens to take the next step forward and grasp the opportunity of independence.
3.49pm GMT
Sturgeon says she is convinced Scotland will become independent.
Of course, with the UK hurtling head long for the EU exit door, with the Unionist parties watering down their vow of more powers, with deeper austerity cuts and new Trident weapons looming on the horizon, it may be that our opponents bring that day closer than we could ever have imagined on the morning of the 19th September.
3.48pm GMT
Sturgeon says the NHS will be a daily priority for the Scottish government.
The revenue budget of our NHS is set to rise in real terms for the remainder of this parliament.
If I am re-elected as First Minister in 2016, I pledge today that it will rise in real terms for each and every year of the next parliament too.
3.47pm GMT
Sturgeon says there are few things she holds more dear than the NHS.
In the referendum campaign, we pointed to the financial risks to our NHS that come from privatisation in England.
Make no mistake, these risks remain.
3.45pm GMT
Sturgeon says she grew up in a working class family and was the first person in her family to go to university.
Not everyone can become first minister. At least, not for a while, she jokes.
The work we are doing as a government on early intervention is ground breaking.
Our Early Years Collaborative, the Family Nurse Partnership - these all make a real difference to the life chances of our children.
3.42pm GMT
Sturgeon says she will become first minister in four days time.
I am four days away from becoming the First Minister of our country.
Four days away from becoming the first woman to hold that office.
3.41pm GMT
Sturgeon says people in work should not struggle to make ends meet at the end of the week.
Low pay, especially for women, needs to be addressed, she says.
And in future, although we cannot mandate it in law, each and every new Scottish Government contract will have payment of the living wage as a central priority.
Friends,
3.38pm GMT
But a strong economy relies on having a well-paid workforce, she says.
A strong economy depends on a having a healthy, happy, well-educated and well-paid population, to provide the workforce and the customers that businesses need to succeed.
Right now, 1 million of our citizens - 220,000 of our children - are living in poverty.
3.37pm GMT
Sturgeon says a strong economy is vital.
Scotland must always be an environment where ideas flourish, businesses locate and jobs are created.
Because then and only then do we have the tools to do what should matter to all of us - and that is to eradicate the poverty that scars the lives of too many of our fellow citizens.
3.35pm GMT
Sturgeon says he will set out a programme for goverment in two weeks time.
At its heart will be radical action on land reform, empowering communities, raising attainment in our schools and tackling some of the deep injustices in our society, like domestic abuse and gender inequality.
Conference,
3.34pm GMT
Sturgeon says the SNP has always been the party of constitutional progress.
But she wants it to be the party of economic and social progress as well.
In the 20th century, that progressive spirit was the province of a radically reforming Labour Party.
Those days are gone.
3.32pm GMT
Sturgeon says, if there is a hung parliament, the SNP will never, ever put the Tories into government.
But she raises the prospect of the SNP using its negotiating power to get concessions from Labour.
Think about how much more we could win for Scotland from a Westminster Labour government if they had to depend on SNP votes.
Theyd have to deliver real powers for our parliament.
3.29pm GMT
Sturgeon says there is no point voting Labour.
Labour was once the party of progress.
Now it is just a barrier to progress.
3.27pm GMT
Sturgeon says she is addressing non-SNP supporters too. All Scotland should unite to ensure Scotland gets its new powers.
I speak to everyone across our land who wants to see the promise of a powerhouse Scottish Parliament delivered.
Let us come together, this time, as one Scotland.
3.25pm GMT
Sturgeon says the test of his is the general election. If Scotland votes for the Westminster parties, they will revert to business as usual and deny Scotland the new powers they promised.
It was the power of our votes that forced them to make that vow.
And it is only the power of our votes that will force them to keep it.
3.23pm GMT
Sturgeon says Scotland has been revitalised. The SNP will not let Westminster drag it back to business as usual.
The only language Westminster really understands is that of power.
So let them hear this message from all around our country.
3.22pm GMT
The SNP has more members than the UK Lib Dems and Ukip combined.
So to include those parties in TV General Election debates while excluding the SNP would be a democratic outrage.
So broadcasters, its time for you to think again.
3.21pm GMT
She says almost one adult in 50 in Scotland is a member of the SNP.
We reflect Scotland in all its glorious diversity.
We are part of the very weave and fabric of our land.
3.20pm GMT
Okay, now Ive finished with him, she jokes.
She says she is here to tell the SNP their best days are yet to come.
3.20pm GMT
Sturgeon is still praising Salmond.
Alex Salmond has set the bar high for all those who follow, whether as leader of our party, or First Minister of our country.
He has been a constant support, friend and mentor to me.
3.19pm GMT
Sturgeon says Salmond has done more than anyone to make the SNP the force it is.
When Alex first entered politics, the SNP had a mere handful of MPs. We were on the fringes of Westminster politics.
It was all he could do to get us noticed though its fair to say he did it very well.
3.15pm GMT
She welcomes new recruits to the SNP family, and invites people watching to join.
3.15pm GMT
Sturgeon says she joined the SNP at 16. Standing here as leader is the proudest moment of her life.
Know that I am humbled by your faith in me and inspired by your confidence in each other and in the people of this great country of ours.
The prize, the precious prize of independence, of a fairer, more prosperous Scotland, had been within touching distance.
And it slipped through our grasp.
3.11pm GMT
Nicola Sturgeon starts by saying its traditional for the deputy leader to tell embarrassing stories about the leader when introducing them.
But she has a message for Stewart Hosie, she says. Your wife is one of my best pals. So I will probably always have the upper hand.
3.09pm GMT
Hosie says he first met Sturgeon around the time of the Govan byelection, more than 25 years ago.
He introduces her.
3.07pm GMT
Stewart Hosie, the new deputy leader, is taking the podium to introduce Nicola Sturgeon.
3.06pm GMT
Alyn Smith MEP moves a topical motion on an EU referendum. He says he thinks a referendum is inevitable. SNP MPs will try to amend any legislation to ensure that all nations in the UK would have to support a decision to leave the EU, he says.
A delegate asks for the motion to be amended to mention the five nations of the UK, not the four nations of the UK. Thats because Cornwall is a nation, he says.
3.00pm GMT
Kirsty MacAlpine has just moved another topic motion, condemning homophobic bullying.
2.57pm GMT
Alan Roden, the Scottish Daily Mail political editor, has responded to Angus Robertsons speech mentioning the bedroom tax (see 2.16pm) but retweeting this.
A wee reminder for @MorayMP and #snp14 delegates: pic.twitter.com/yP0S6rUqfD
2.53pm GMT
Marco Biagio MSP says that originally when the Scottish parliament first debated votes at 16, people were nervous about it. But when they debated it again after the referendum, people acted as if they could not see what the fuss was about.
Speaking to audiences of teenagers was fantastic because they would ask anything, he says.
2.48pm GMT
Christina McKelvie MSP is now moving a topic motion reaffirming the partys commitment to 16-year-olds being allowed to vote.
Theres a slogan, she says: Dont vote Labour for your grandparents; vote SNP for your grandchildren.
2.44pm GMT
Mark McDonald MSP has just delivered a speech making a fundraising appeal. Because it was a fundraiser, the BBC Parliament coverage would not broadcast his words. For some reason, thats against their rules.
2.37pm GMT
Kirsteen Fraser, from the SNP trade union group, says she is someone who has rejoined the party. She feels Labour has no right anymore to claim that it protects the interests of workers.
2.32pm GMT
Carol MacDonald says that, having campaigned for yes, she was prompted to join the SNP after hearing David Cameron on the Friday after the referendum. She was furious about the way he was dismissing Scotland.
2.30pm GMT
SNP trotting out ex-Labour members ahead of Sturgeon's speech, mirroring indyref strategy. They are going after Labour votes in a big way.
2.29pm GMT
The conference is now hearing from ex-Labour members who have switched to the SNP.
A young woman said the final straw for her was when Labour voted to back air strikes against Islamic State. Paul Leister is now telling delegates how he switched during the independence campaign. As he was campaigning in working class areas, he felt that Labour had failed those communities.
2.25pm GMT
Heres the SNPs latest membership figure.
Wow! Just Wow! 85,884 #SnpArmy #snp14 pic.twitter.com/H4kTymuJGC
2.17pm GMT
Robertson appeals to people watching the conference at home who agree with the SNP: Join us. Join us now.
He reads out the website address.
2.16pm GMT
Robertson says 47 Labour MPs missed a key vote on the bedroom tax, including 10 from Scotland. They included Jim Murphy, Gordon Brown, Anas Sarwar, and Douglas Alexander, he says.
If they and their colleagues had turned up, the government majority of 26 would have been overturned, he says.
2.11pm GMT
The afternoon session has started.
Angus Robertson, the SNPs leader at Westminster, is talking about the general election campaign.
2.04pm GMT
Here are some tweets from lunchtime fringe meetings at the conference.
Absolutely crammed at our fringe event. Scotland's democracy has never been so vibrant. #snp14 pic.twitter.com/RaWyXmgC3a
Robin McAlpine: the last few years have been inspiring. We can keep that momentum going. #snp14 pic.twitter.com/ssw992Xs4s
"The speech tonight from Nicola is a crossroad in Scottish politics - a moment of significant change." #snp14 pic.twitter.com/YpdV8MrxHZ
John Drummond of Scot Constit' Comm warns @theSNP fringe an iScot w/o strong written constitution "fails the test of democracy" #SNP2014
Instead of meeting end child poverty targetby 2020 we have predicted increase of 100,000 says satwat rehman at @CPAGScotland fringe. #snp14
"I've never seen the point of a minimum wage if people can't live off it." @MgtBurgessMSP at @CPAGScotland fringe. #snp14
1.33pm GMT
I dont think we actually won the economic argument during the referendum. I think we had the best case but I think many people, particularly the professional middle-classes, didnt quite get it. And Im going to say this very gently - I think the party may have to revisit its position on the common currency.
It is the peoples of the nations of the UK who are sovereign, not Westminster. That reality must be reflected as the relationships between our countries are reconstructed in the coming months.
Reserved powers should mean shared powers and let me make clear that a Plaid Cymru government from 2016 will insist on major decisions at a UK level requiring consensus between the governments.
1.03pm GMT
Back to Scottish Labour for a moment, and my colleague Severin Carrell has more from the leadership hustings.
Neil Findlay, the centre-left and heavily trades union-backed contender for the Scottish Labour leadership, has told the contests first hustings event that he sees ending inequality as his main motivation for entering politics.
A former teacher and bricklayer, now an MSP for the Lothians, Findlay listed a series of policy commitments to Scottish Labours womens conference in Glasgow to cement his appeal to the partys left.
12.32pm GMT
As promised earlier, here are the highlights from Alex Salmonds BBC Scotland interview this morning.
I have not particular wish to go back to Westminster. Ive done that.
Why Im thinking about it was two things. One is that I love my constituency, I love the north east of Scotland, I love Scotland obviously, the folk in the north east are just great. Secondly, there are particular circumstances which may be emerging where the cause of Scotland is going to be in the balance. Scotland could win out of the ashes of the referendum campaign, Scotland can emerge victorious with substantial gains. That is what Im thinking about.
The worst decisions you make are when you dont make decisions, the things you dont do. And I dont think that early enough - I always think nursery education is a great thing, everybody thinks nursery education is a good thing. I did not realise until the remarkable late Professor Ailsa McKay explained it to me about two years ago just how fundamental to economic progress, as well as social progress, the rapid expansion of nursery education is. ... I absolutely wish that Ailsa had had that conversation with me, and knocked some sense into me, a bit earlier.
In the last few weeks a series of discoveries have been announced in the central North Sea and elsewhere. It seems to me surprising that so much information has been gained about these new discoveries in the weeks since September 18 ... These are definite discoveries of the quantities of oil that are there.
Im just saying its an interesting coincidence that so many discoveries have been so recently announced.
Lord Ashcrofts polling was a day after the referendum. It was not a substantial exercise. Lord Ashcroft has found his niche in politics is to produce daily polls. Good luck to him. Youd be very foolish - I know some politicians live and die and breathe by Lord Ashcrofts poll. I dont.
My questions on the issues that mattered most in peoples voting decisions suggest the No campaign was right to focus on the currency and the other uncertainties of independence. More than half (57%) of No voters said the pound was one of the most important factors in their decision, and the biggest overarching reason for their decision was that the risks of becoming independent looked too great when it came to things like the currency, EU membership, the economy, jobs and prices (a more powerful reason for most No voters decision than a strong attachment to the UK or the promise of the best of both worlds with guaranteed extra powers for the Scottish Parliament). Pensions, the NHS and uncertainties about tax and public spending were also mentioned by at least one third of No voters.
.@AlexSalmond begins answering your questions in his #SNP14 conference webcast http://t.co/SYAJVhdq1D pic.twitter.com/k5PVrONeJE
12.14pm GMT
Back in Perth Leanne Wood, the leader of Plaid Cyrmu, the Welsh nationalist party, is now addressing the conference.
Edrych ymlaen / look forward to speaking & hearing @NicolaSturgeon later. #Solidarity to @theSNP from @Plaid_Cymru pic.twitter.com/m1Bm7e2GQZ
12.12pm GMT
Turning away from the SNP for a moment, my colleague Severin Carrell has sent me this on developments in the Scottish Labour leadership contest taking place today.
While the SNP hold their conference in Perth, contenders for the Scottish Labour leadership and deputy posts are detailing their agendas on gender equality, equal pay and the living wage and childcare in their first leadership hustings.
Speaking at Scottish Labours women conference in Glasgow, the leadership favourite Jim Murphy now striving to secure the post against a strong challenge from the partys left, has pledged a raft of new pro-equality measures, not all of which are original.
12.00pm GMT
And heres more from my colleague Libby Brooks on the gender balance motion.
Conference has just approved a resolution on gender balance, including quotas for 40% representation on public boards, something proposed by the Scottish government before the referendum. And also before the Labour MSP, and Scottish Labours expected new deputy leader, Kezia Dugdale MSP spearheaded a cross-party campaign for legal quotas to ensure 50/50 representation of women at Holyrood and across Scottish public life.
Amidst the inspiring inspirational blether about a female first minister sending out a message to every girl in the country that no office is too high, as well as concerns that quotas in effect boost the options of middle-class women while failing to address underlying structural inequalities, its worth noting this Guardian survey from June which found that the SNP had among the weakest strategies in place on gender equality of all five parties at Holyrood.
11.56am GMT
Delegates have just passed a motion backing a Scottish government plan for gender quotas on public boards. Nicola Sturgeon was on the platform for the vote and applauded it enthusiastically.
11.48am GMT
In his speech George Kerevan (see 11.42am) also said that the SNP might have to change its stance on keeping the pound in the event of independence.
SNP "may have to rethink its position on the common currency" after losing economic arguments in indyref, George Kerevan tells #snp14
11.42am GMT
As I mentioned earlier, Tommy Sheppard wants to be nominated as the SNP candidate for Edinburgh East. (See 11.11am.)
But, as my colleague Severin Carrell points out, he faces some opposition.
George Kerevan, an energy economist and The Scotsman columnist, just roused SNP conference with a buccaneering attack on the UKs disastrous economy and corrupt City of London. He earned loud cheers for suggesting a new policy for that bevy of future SNP MPs expected to be elected to Westminster next May: When we get those new SNP MPs in Westminster, we can change British law to put those criminal bankers in jail, where they belong!
Kerevan has a strong interest in this. He was the SNPs candidate for Edinburgh East in the 2010 general election a seat that senior SNP figures are eyeing up for one of the SNPs newest celebrity members: Tommy Sheppard, a former Scottish Labour assistant general secretary, comedy promoter and yes campaigner.
11.34am GMT
Just before Alex Salmond spoke at the conference yesterday, the party played a video tribute summarising his political career, with vintage footage interspersed with Salmond reminiscing about moments like the time he disrupted the budget. It was fascinating for anyone interested in recent political history.
Unfortunately I cant find a good-quality version to upload, but this YouTube video, shot from within the hall, will allow you to watch it if you dont mind the distractions.
11.18am GMT
Ken Jack has a nice photo-gallery of pictures from the SNP conference at Demotix here.
11.11am GMT
Yesterday the SNP acted to ensure Yes Scotland activists who have not been party members can stand as candidates in the 2015 election. It got rid of the 13-month rule, that said people had to be in the party for a year before they could stand as a candidate. And it passed a motion authorising the party to explore letting people stand as candidates even if they are not members.
Tommy Sheppard, a former Labour organiser who runs a comedy club, has announced that he is taking advantage of the new rules and wants to stand as an SNP candidate in Edinburgh.
Former @scottishlabour man @TommySheppard to stand for @theSNP selection for Edinburgh WM seat #snp14 pic.twitter.com/f52hG1c8fI
11.04am GMT
As my colleague Libby Brooks reports, theres a Unison demonstration outside the conference.
Every party conference needs a protest: Unison challenging cuts outside #snp14 pic.twitter.com/x0H032LCKf
11.01am GMT
In the conference hall delegates have just passed a motion saying that the UK pensions system has consistently disadvantaged large numbers of women because it has failed to reflect different models of labour market participation or recognise the value of unpaid work such as caring for children or other family members and that, with control over pensions, a Scottish government could create a state pensions system that values all of our citizens equally.
10.53am GMT
At the conference yesterday afternoon delegates voted to commit the party to oppose plans in the infrastructure bill to allow fracking and oil and gas drilling below homes without consent. I did not include the vote in yesterdays blog, because I was focusing on Alex Salmond, but here are the details. And heres an extract from the SNP news release.
The SNP will oppose UK plans which will allow oil and gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing beneath their homes without consent.
The SNPs Westminster Group will oppose the changes introduced to the Infrastructure Bill in the House of Lords , and have called on the other Westminster opposition parties, including the Labour party, to back the move.
10.41am GMT
But the best SNP-related piece in todays papers may well be this Cate Devine interview with Nicola Sturgeon in todays Herald magazine. Its a personal interview, rather than a political one, but it presents a revealing picture.
Devine describes Sturgeon as Scotlands first rock-star politician because she has embarked on a series of rallies that are attracting huge audiences. The final one will be at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, where she will be speaking to a crowd of 13,000 people. Here are some of the most interesting lines.
Doesnt she find it exhausting? This is the thing I most enjoy about my job, and when you love what you do adrenalin keeps you going, she says. Standing in front of an audience, feeling the energy, is what its all about. I could stay on stage and do that for hours. (It was a similar story at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh the week before, and the Eden Court in Inverness a few days after our meeting; T-shirts bearing slogans such as Sturgeon: The Tour are selling out.)
Im a different personality from Alex, though Ive made a conscious decision that Im not going into the job thinking of what makes me different from him. Everybody knows my relationship with him is fantastic and Id never criticise what he has done. Im not going to rip all that up just to demonstrate that Im not him. But the differences will become obvious.
Social media is natural to me, and its a very immediate way of saying something. Its the way politics are done these days. In modern politics you cant ignore that even if you wanted to. I cant imagine doing politics without it.
Having said that, its immediacy is also one of its problems. You have got to be careful, because the temptation is to speak before you think. Ive always applied the rule that you dont say anything on Twitter that you wouldnt say on television. And never, ever tweet after a glass of wine.
One of the most difficult things about being a woman politician is the derogatory comments about your appearance. I constantly read about the mess of my hair, my clothes or how I look. I have been reading it so long Im inured to it, but I do get annoyed when I think about some young woman being put off a career in politics by it. That does make me angry: women should be positively encouraged. Having succeeded in having more women get to the top at the Scottish Parliament, youd hope it would then be easier for the next generation of women to come through.
Has her culinary knowledge improved I can make coffee, she insists with a giggle. Im not the greatest cook, but then I dont apply myself. Peters steak and chips are the best, so I dont really have to. Im not domestic but I do iron his shirts, thats my one domestic claim to fame and it makes up for all the things I dont do.
At this point I bring up the elephant in the room - the patter of tiny feet she reportedly mentioned in a newspaper interview about living in Bute House. I said as a joke something like Im sure the patter of tiny feet would brighten up Bute House. It was lighthearted, she says. People ask me as if motherhood is something that at some stage youve made a decision about. Its not how these things happen. And we leave it at that.
10.14am GMT
Here are three SNP conference articles from todays papers that are worth a read.
The audience believe with very good reason he has changed the Scottish political landscape forever. Love or loathe him, has won his place his place in history. A tearful Nicola Sturgeon was right: he will leave very big shoes to fill. And a fairly substantial pair of trousers.
But weirdly, after 24 years in charge, speeches arent Mr Salmonds trump card. Where Ms Sturgeon brings the whiff of the contemporary machine politician to her leadership, her predecessor has always seemed at his best when he is off the leash, doing a public service, for example by savaging Jeremy Paxman for the benefit of the Newsnight cameras.
We should get one thing straight right from the start: this SNP conference is a pretty amazing, not to mention awesome, occasion and if the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties havent sneaked in observers to watch the proceedings, then theyll have to take my word for it.
On this evidence the Nats not only dont believe they lost the referendum, they plan to keep on and on and on about independence to the exclusion of all else. And they dont believe anyone can stand in their way.
That mood of renewed optimism is palpable in Perth. Although the SNP and the yes campaign were defeated in the referendum, the party has soared in the polls in the two months since the defeat. Almost every speaker throughout the day, Salmond and Sturgeon included, has looked ahead to the possibility of a second referendum at some future date, many of them explicitly. Salmond finished his own speech with a forward to independence cry, before returning to the rostrum after a standing ovation to declare that the dream shall never die.
10.02am GMT
BBC Scotland are broadcasting a webcast interview with Alex Salmond now. Ill be monitoring it, and will post the highlights later.
9.44am GMT
Nicola Sturgeon is now leader of the SNP (she is due to be sworn in as Scotlands first minister on Thursday) and the highlight of the final day of the SNPs conference will be her speech this afternoon.
Overnight the party has briefed some extracts from the speech. There are three key messages.
Scotlands patience with Labour - or the dinosaurs as Johann Lamont affectionately calls them - is running out fast, and they know it.
Theyve got no positive case to make, so they will fall back on the same desperate mantra as before.
Perhaps this time Scotlands votes will count. Scotland could well hold the balance of power in a Westminster parliament with no overall majority.
If that happens, I promise you this - you wont need to have voted Labour to keep the Tories out, because thats what well do. My pledge to Scotland today is this - the SNP will never put the Tories into government.
Scotland must always be an environment where ideas flourish, businesses locate and jobs are created. Because then, and only then, do we have the tools to do what should matter to all of us and that is to eradicate the poverty that scars the lives of too many of our fellow citizens.
As part of the focus on wealth creation, the cornerstone of our support for the nations smallest enterprises will continue. The small business bonus will help almost 100,000 small businesses next year to the tune of 165 million. My pledge today is this: That support will continue, not just for the remainder of this parliament, but if we are re-elected it will continue for the entire lifetime of the next parliament as well.
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