The First Minister, who added Scotland is ready to join “global family of independent nations, addressed the opening day of the SNP conference after one of the party’s leading MPs urged her to ignore Boris Johnson and press ahead with a second referendum if a pro-independence majority is returned at next year’s Holyrood election.
Joanna Cherry says the Scottish Government should let the Supreme Court decide on the issue in a subsequent legal challenge.
Ms Sturgeon opened her party’s annual conference today by telling activists she has “never been so certain” the country will achieve independence.
Consistent polling since the start of the year shows a majority of Scots are now in favour of leaving the UK, while the SNP won a “landslide victory” in Scotland in the UK general election last December taking 48 of the 59 available seats.
Ms Sturgeon told the conference: “Scotland is now a nation on the cusp of making history.
“Independence is in clear sight – and with unity of purpose, humility and hard work I have never been so certain that we will deliver it.
“The people of Scotland have the right to choose their future. Let’s now focus all our efforts on making sure we bring about that better country they and future generations deserve.
“An independent future lies ahead – lets grasp it.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he will not allow another referendum on Scottish independence to take place, but nationalists say a pro-independence majority in next year’s Holyrood election should enable such a vote to happen.
The First Minister said last week a referendum could be held “in the earlier part” of the next parliamentary session.
Support for independence among Scots has now “risen to become the sustained and majority view in public opinion”, the SNP leader will say today.
She told delegates: “While our primary focus must remain on eliminating Covid-19 from our shores, for which we have renewed hope, Scotland must be ready for what comes next.
“And I know we will be.”
The First Minister added: “So this weekend, and over the next few months, let us reach out – to all of Scotland – like never before.
“Let us demonstrate – with cool heads and with patient persuasion – that Scotland is ready to take its place in the global family of independent nations.
Ms Sturgeon has said she believes the pressure on the Prime Minister would become “irresistible” if a pro-independence majority was returned after next year’s election.
But Ms Cherry said: “What worries me is that if we are waiting on good will and largesse from Boris Johnson, it could be a very long wait.”
