First Minister calls for Scotland's future to be in Scotland's hands

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) will close the three day SNP Conference in Glasgow today with a message of "hope and optimism".  Her speech will have a constitutional theme and point to the opportunities offered by an independent Scotland. She will say: "The Westminster government stumbles from day to day and disaster to disaster. It's hard to watch that unfolding calamity and feel anything other than despair.

"So it is up to us - now more than ever - to offer optimism and hope.

"Just think how much more hope will be possible when we take Scotland's future into Scotland's hands and become an independent country."