Sturgeon: A vote for SNP is not a vote for independence

Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon, has told ITV's The Agenda she believes Scotland will be an independent country "one day" but insisted that a vote for her party "is not about independence".

Ms Sturgeon said: "If you vote for the SNP you are not voting for independence you are not even voting for another independence referendum. You are voting to make Scotland’s voice heard in that system that has so often in the past tended to side-line and ignore Scotland.

"I think Scotland will be independent one day, I think that is the direction of travel but it won’t be me that decides that.”

In terms of working with a minority Labour government, Ms Sturgeon said it was in Scotland's interest to make sure that the "Westminster system...works as well as possible".

While admitting that she had not read Labour’s manifesto in detail Ms Sturgeon added: "I would be seeking to build alliances with parties like Plaid Cymru and the Greens and back benchers…

"Minority government is all about building alliances on an issue by issue basis. It’s about where can I find support across this parliament for the position I want to build upon.”

Ms Sturgeon will be speaking to ITV News Political Editor Tom Bradby during tonight's show, which airs on ITV at 11.10pm, STV at 11.35pm and UTV at 11.40pm.

Also on the programme will be former British ambassador to the US Sir Christopher Meyer, the Times' chief leader writer Philip Collins and actress Elaine C Smith.

Join the debate by using the hashtag #TheAgenda and by following @agendaitv.