Alex Salmond urges Scotland to back independence in last big speech before referendum
In what is being seen as his biggest party conference speech to date, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond declared it was "time to say Yes" to independence.
With voters in Scotland to decide the country's future in just over five months time, Mr Salmond insisted the momentum was with those campaigning to leave the UK as he addressed the final party conference before the country's independence referendum.
He told the party faithful that a yes vote wasn't a vote for the SNP, but for Scotland's future.
He said an independent Scotland would abolish the so-called "bedroom tax" and he promised it would build a system of childcare that would be "the envy of the world."
He also pledged to remove Trident nuclear submarines from their base on the Clyde if there is a Yes vote.
"This is our moment to be a beacon of hope," he declared.
"In September it is time to say Yes."
He said the eyes of the world would be on Scotland when the referendum is held on September 18.
He branded the campaign to keep Scotland in the UK as "the most miserable, negative, depressing and thoroughly boring campaign in modern political history."
Mr Salmond told the SNP spring conference in Aberdeen: "They are already out of touch with the people and are now losing touch with reality."
In contrast he hailed the campaign for independence as being "positive, uplifting hopeful" and said it "must always stay that way".
The First Minister said: "That is the basis on which we will win this referendum and our country's independence."
He told the conference: "Make no mistake - momentum is with this campaign. The people are coming towards us."
Part of his keynote conference speech was aimed at persuading more women to support independence by announcing the expansion of the Scottish cabinet to have 10 members, of whom four will be female.
He also made these promises:
A vow to "transform childcare", saying: "High quality, universal childcare and early learning for all of Scotland's children, that's the independence pledge"
Leaving the UK would give the Scottish Government the "power to enforce the Equal Pay Act"
He also said that as an independent Scotland would aspire to having women make up 40% of company board members, the Scottish Government would "practice what we preach"
Mr Salmond's political rivals hit back, with Labour's shadow Scottish secretary, Margaret Curran attacking his "cynical" attempt to woo female voters and branding his speech "drivel".
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The Scottish Conservatives said he "failed to provide voters with the real facts and costs of separation".
The party's chief whip John Lamont also attacked Mr Salmond's attempt to reach out to female voters, saying, "women can spot a dodgy chat up line when they hear it."
Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "All we have heard today is more of the same from a party who seem reluctant to answer the big questions over what independence would truly mean for Scotland."