SNP Conference: Nicola Sturgeon says she wants to focus more on ‘why’ when it comes to independence rather than ‘when’

CONVINCING voters Scotland should be independent is more important than the timing of a vote, Nicola Sturgeon told her party yesterday.

The First Minister said persuading more people to back independence was “the more important task” for her party.

Addressing the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Ms Sturgeon said her party’s Growth Commission independence blueprint will be “the platform on which we will renew the case for independence”.

She said: “Confidence in the independence case is growing.

“So as we wait for the fog of Brexit to clear, our opportunity – indeed, our responsibility – is this: not just to focus on the ‘when’ of independence but to use our energy and passion to persuade those who still ask ‘why?’

“Right now, that is the more important task.”

The First Minister also used the speech to announce a 3% pay rise for 147,000 NHS staff, including nurses and midwives.

Extra grant support for students was also promised along with an increase in the earnings threshold for repaying student loans to £25,000.

A new £150 million investment fund was also revealed, £25m of which will be used to build 3,000 new houses.

Her spokesman later said she was still committed to providing an update on the timing of a second referendum in the autumn, but cautioned the content of this will be determined by how much clarity there is over Brexit by that point.

Ms Sturgeon was cheered by SNP members when she announced a pay rise for NHS staff, telling the conference that it means “the vast majority of our frontline NHS staff will be paid, not just the same as in NHS England this year, but more”.

The £160m deal, in place by next month, means staff earning up to £80,000 will receive at least a 3% uplift, and those earning £80,000 and over will receive a flat rate increase of £1,600.

The announcement will benefit 147,000 “Agenda for Change” staff, such as nurses, midwives and paramedics, but does not affect doctors or dentists who have a separate pay deal.

Ms Sturgeon spent a big chunk of her speech attacking the Tories, labelling the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson “an embarrassing liability”.

The SNP leader also hit out at the EU Withdrawal Bill, which is due to come before MPs in the Commons on Tuesday.

The First Minister said that as a result of the UK Government’s legislation, “the powers of our parliament are under threat like never before”. Ms Sturgeon added: “As it stands, that Bill allows UK ministers to remove Scotland’s powers for up to seven years.

“Agriculture, fishing, trade, environmental standards, consumer protections – areas that really matter to people and to businesses across the country. And they want to be able to do so against the will of the Scottish Parliament. That is completely unacceptable.”

The speech also saw announcements on 750 new or refurbished nurseries to help deliver an increase in free pre-school provision, and more funding for students who have been in care.