SNP Conference begins

Alex Salmond at the spring conference Credit: PA

The SNP's annual conference is getting underway.The event in Perth comes days after First Minister Alex Salmond signed a deal with David Cameron to allow a vote on independence to go ahead in 2014.The conference will focus on the opportunities independence would provide for Scotland.Mr Salmond will give a welcoming address to delegates today and deliver his main speech on Saturday afternoon.There will also be a controversial vote on whether the party should change its opposition to NATO.Defence Spokesman Angus Robertson MP says an independent Scotland could still oppose nuclear weapons but stay as part of the military alliance.