Addressing the SNP (Scottish National Party) conference on Saturday, party leader Alex Salmond, reaffirmed the party's commitment to independence, dismissing any assertion that Scottish nationalism could be placated with economic powers.
The SNP won a landslide victory in the last election and have pledged to hold a referendum on independence, most probably at the end of the Scotland's five year parliament.
See here for video clip.
Extracts from Salmond's address reproduced below:
"Fiscal responsibility, financial freedom, real economic powers is a legitimate proposal."It could allow control of our own resources, competitive business tax and fair personal taxation.
"All good, all necessary, but not enough."
"Even with economic powers, Trident nuclear missiles would still be on the Clyde, we could still be forced to spill blood in illegal wars, such as Iraq, and Scotland would still be excluded from the councils of Europe and the world.
"These things only independence can bring - which is why this party will campaign full square for independence in the coming referendum."
"We have the talent, the resources, the ingenuity.
"The only limitations are our imagination and our ambition. So give Scotland the tools, put the people of Scotland in charge and see our nation flourish as never before."
"Let's build a nation that reflects the values of our people.
"We are committed to winning independence for Scotland. And we are pledged to furtherance of all Scottish interests.
"Both are in our DNA. It's who we are and what we are for."
"The days of Westminster politicians telling Scotland what to do or what to think are over.
"The Scottish people will set the agenda for the future.
"No politician, and certainly no London politician, will determine the future of the Scottish nation.
"The prime minister should hear this loud and clear.
"The people of Scotland - the sovereign people of Scotland - are now in the driving seat."
See Majority of Britain's back Scottish independence - poll (Oct 2011)
