THE question of Scotland’s independence dominated the Scottish National Party (SNP) conference in Aberdeen this week, with the party also pledging to scrap social care charges and invest in climate action.

Addressing delegates, First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said a second independence referendum “must happen next year” and confirmed she would ask the Westminster government for approval before the end of 2019.

“The question should be demanded of the Westminster parties — what gives you any right to deny people in Scotland our ability to choose our own future?” she said.